Page 39 of All at Once

It isn’t lost on me when Enrique simply walks away without a hug, kiss on the cheek, or brush to my hand.

I just ruined everything.

Georgia. I need to talk to Georgia. But after calling her twice with no response, I have no idea what I should do.

I know I might be overreacting about tonight. But like anything else, as one thing goes awry, that’s when all the doubts that aren’t even related to the current situation come rushing back to your mind. And that’s exactly what’s happening to me right now. All the mistakes that have shaped my fruitless relationship with romance are resurfacing and making me feel even worse about what just happened. Or didn’t happen. Which is why I need to talk to someone.Now.

But there isno oneto talk to, hence why my panic only keeps spiraling.

Even though alcohol would usually be my last drink of choice, it’s the first one that comes to mind as I rush toward the outdoor bar by the main pool.

I slump into a barstool, while rubbing the headache that’s already forming near my forehead. I must be hallucinating when I turn and notice Luca sitting a few seats away from me. “Rough night too?” I ask.

He glances up from his phone and looks surprised to see me. “No. I was just relaxing.” I can tell that he’s already used to me when he puts his phone away. “I’m guessing yours didn’t go too well,” he says, raising a brow.

I take a deep breath. “I just had my date with Enrique.”

“I know,” he says jokingly. “You already told me about it twice on our way back earlier.”

His drink distracts me from his remark. “What’s that?” I ask. “It looks good.”

“It’s a virgin mojito. Just the way you like it.” He’s in a good mood, and I’m clearlynot. I think he senses this, when he adds, “It’s Cava Sangria.”

I quickly sit up, my eyes growing with interest. “I like Sangria a lot actually, with more fruit of course.”

“Of course,” he repeats knowingly. His smile makes my lips slightly curve upwards even though I’m trying for them not to. “It’s similar to regular Sangria, but instead it has Cava, which is basically a sparkling champagne made from local grapes,” Luca explains. “So no soda is added. But there’s more alcohol in it.”

I think he notices how I’m continuing to glance at his drink without a reply, so he proceeds to order one for me. When it arrives, he says, “I asked for more fruit so it tastes more to your liking.”

“Thanks,” I say, immediately drinking more than half of it at once. Adefinitefirst for me.

His eyes widen. “I’m scared to ask you what happened on this date…”

I bury my face into my hands, remembering everything again. Too frustrated with myself, I almost don’t hear Luca’s voice when he says, “Whatever it is, I’m sure it went a lot better than you think.”

I sigh, not really wanting to tell him, but my best friend isn’t exactly available right now. “When we were kissing,” I explain apprehensively, “I pulled away and told him my phone was ringing, actually vibrating, but it wasn’t.”

“You know you should compile all the things you say into a list of the best lines to guarantee winning over someone’s affection,” Luca says. I briefly lift up my face, just to give him a death stare. Luckily he quickly catches on, and adds, “I’m just joking. It’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with what you said.”

“It’s the first time he didn’t kiss my cheeks before he left though,” I argue, knowing it’s muchmorethan that.

“It’s beenwhat?Threenights? You’re worrying over nothing.”

I shake my head. “No, Luca. I shouldn’t have panicked like that. I’m the one who kissed him again. I just thought—”

I pause, and he looks like he’s trying to solve a puzzle that’s missing half its pieces. “Thought what?”

“That he was going to try to kiss my neck,” I confess.

Luca squirms slightly in his chair, and I can’t blame him. I do sound pretty insane, especially with no context around my story.

“I don’t know if I should be hearing this,” he replies, looking away.

My brows furrow. “What? No. I wasn’t going to share any details with you.”

“It sounds like you were,” he says, facing toward me again.

“I wasn’t.” I continue with my original point, “What if he thinks I friend zoned him now?”

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