Page 5 of Love is a Dance Step
“You’re kind of hopeless.” She laughed. “Come, your chariot awaits, sir.”
He flashed her a grin before walking by her, waving to the girl at the front desk—the one who no longer looked angry, only wistful. What did he do to these girls?
They ran out into the rain, weaving their way through buildings to get to the parking lot where Lola’s ancient Subaru awaited them. She and Asher took turns driving to campus each day. They’d made sure to get on similar schedules.
They were only sophomores, and already, Lola was ready to get out of this place. Her business degree would position her for promotions at the resort, but she had no real passion for it. Not like Asher and his pre-med classes. He was born to be a doctor, and she could just imagine his patients falling over themselves around him.
Lola scrambled to unlock her door and pressed the button on the door to let Asher in. They fell into the car, slamming their doors shut. She leaned her head back against the seat, her chest heaving, as she looked sideways at Asher. “That was fun.”
He laughed. “You always did like the rain.”
“And you always hated how it messed up your hair.”
“Not true.” They both laughed because they knew it was.
A crash of thunder shook the sky, and Lola issued a string of curses in Spanish.
Asher grinned. “You always turn to Spanish when you’re scared.”
“I do not,” she scoffed, wishing for once he didn’t know her so well. Sure, she loved the rain, but only when it came without thunder.
Born and raised in the extremely white bread, suburban Gulf City, Lola stood out with her darker skin and Spanish curses. She might be a Floridian since birth, but her mom came to this country from Mexico when she was a kid. She tried to keep their culture alive within their own home, but she’d been unable to change Lola’s habits, like her preference for English.
Lola started the car, waiting while it sputtered to life. She patted the steering wheel. “Good Lola.”
“You know, it’s completely weird to name a car after yourself.”
She backed out of the parking spot. “It’s not my fault my name is the perfect car name.” She gripped the steering wheel, trying to avoid the other students flooding the lot.
Thunder and lightning chased them all the way to Gulf City, not ceasing until they’d reached the city limits. Daily storms weren’t anything new for Florida in fall. She pulled into the driveway of the small two-bedroom ranch home she shared with her mom, not bothering to ask Asher if he wanted to go home. She knew what his answer would be.
For some reason, he preferred the quiet of her lonely house to the beautiful chaos of his own. He didn’t get how lucky he was to have such a large family. There was always someone around.
Lola unlocked the front door and stepped into the darkened house, dropping her messenger bag outside her bedroom door on the way to the kitchen. “Mama?” she called.
No answer.
Dim light seeping past the kitchen curtains provided just enough glow to see the note taped to the refrigerator. She pulled it free as Asher flipped on a light.
Caught an extra shift tonight. There’s dinner for you and Asher in the fridge.
Te Quiero.
Lola sighed as she crumpled the note and threw it in the trashcan. Her mom did the best she could—always had—but Lola couldn’t help thinking she was the reason her mom was picking up so many extra shifts.
She worked nights as a nurse at the hospital, and lately, Lola saw little of her. She knew her mom felt guilty about the loans Lola took out for college, but she didn’t care about those. She just wanted her mom around.
Asher opened the fridge. “Yes!”
“Let me guess, she made tamales.”
He pulled out a plate of corn tamales, still in the husks. Making tamales was an involved process her mom only took on when she felt bad about something or excited. Lola figured it was the former.
She pulled two plates out of the cabinet along with the sauces for the tamales. As soon as she unwrapped one and ate a forkful, she groaned. Asher was right to be excited. Lucia Ramirez was a brilliant cook.
They ate in silence, both savoring every last bite. Her mom had known Asher would be with her. He seemed to bask in the stillness, but she craved more than an empty house and dinner served at the counter of a dim kitchen.
“So.” Asher shoved his plate back. “Big bro is coming to Tampa.”
