Page 46 of Outspoken

“Uh, no. I actually don’t know which ones I tried. I just picked random lines.”

He offers a weak smile, the kind you give to someone when you’re trying to be polite even though you really don’t want to talk. Finally, he makes eye contact and says, “Well, you should try the shrimp taco. Pretty great.”

I sniff again and wait, wiping the lingering moisture from my eyes. It’s pretty obvious I was crying, so I half expect him to ask if everything is okay. He’s the kind of caring guy who would do that.

He doesn’t, and my heart is conflicted. Has he finally come to his senses and realized I’m not worth his time?

Good.Right? It's good. I fidget with my blouse and chew my lip, an ache in my stomach.Good for him.

It’s for the best.

I shift my weight awkwardly as a feeling of gloom swallows me. “So, um, have you come to this before? It’s my first time here, but I’ve gone to other food festivals.”

He nods, shifting his focus into the distance again. My lips twitch.It’s fine if he's moved on but…am I boring him or something?

“My sister dragged me here a couple years ago,” he says. “I liked it so I thought I’d check it out again. It’s grown. There are way more trucks and people.”

“Yeah, lots of people.”Ugh, why is this conversation feeling lame?And why does the space between us feel like too much? I step closer, touching his arm, knowing I’m being pathetic and just seeking attention. But I miss how we normally are together—how we flirt and get along easily. “I’m surprised some tipsy woman isn’t hanging all over you. Did you just get here?”

“Not really,” he says, his attention on a nearby food truck and the thinning line. “I've been here for a bit.” He takes a step back and points at the truck. “Hey, I’m gonna try an empanada from these guys. Want one?”

I press my palm against my stomach. “Uh, sure.”

“Cool.” He walks to the line without seeing if I’ll follow.

I stand here staring holes into the back of his moussed, curly hair.What is with him today?

I mean, I guess I’m relieved he’s not being so intense, but this is a one-eighty. If he doesn't want to flirt, that's fine, but he’s not even being friendly. Did I do something? Why did he say 'hi' if he barely wants to acknowledge me?

I trace his path, stopping beside him, and he glances over like he’s surprised that I’m still around. I tighten my grip on my purse strap. “So, you have a sister?”

“Yeah. One sister and two brothers. A few nieces and nephews. Way too many cousins.”

“Big family.”

“Yup.”

Our conversation hits a dead end, so he whips out his phone. My jaw drops as I stare in disbelief. I know people do it—hell, I’ve done it—but Miguel hasneverbeen more interested in his phone than in me when we’re together.

I stand beside him quietly until it’s our turn to order. We both choose beef and then step aside to wait. After a few more minutes of Miguel dicking with his phone while I stand nearby in a huff, our food is ready. He pockets his phone, then hands me an empanada.

“Thank you,” I say with a sweet smile, touching his forearm and squeezing.

He’s indifferent to my gesture, looking bored. “Have you tried one before?”

“Yeah.”

“These guys have some of the best.” He finally smiles enough to flash me his dimple.

My stupid knees feel gooey for a split second until I mentally scold myself.Stop it.

Miguel becomes engrossed in inhaling his pastry and its savory filling. He dusts his hands off, his attention switching to a merchandise booth across the grass from us. He walks off without speaking.

I about toss my empanada at his head.

Grumbling to myself, I follow. He browses through a few shirts, laughing at their dumb sayings, barely aware I’m next to him. I finish my food—which was delicious—while he buys a shirt. Without warning, he yanks his button-up off, giving me a panty-melting flash of his sculpted torso and the large tattoo on his pec. Before I can study his tattoo or burn each sinful caramel groove of muscle to memory, he yanks the new shirt down over his beautiful male physique.

I stare at the white fabric now covering his abs. I’m disappointed I only got a peek, but it was enough to stir feelings in my lady bits.

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