Page 32 of Love Me

I almost lose the hold I have on my phone.

“Is that Diego?” My sister’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts.

“Yes.” That one syllable comes out slowly because I essentially told my sister I don’t have time to visit or have lunch with my family, who live less than twenty minutes away. Yet, I have time for Diego.

“Can I talk to him? I want to invite him to my show, too.”

Without thinking, I pass the phone to my best friend. He immediately lights up at hearing my sister’s voice on the other end. I make myself look away because the butterflies in my belly start to become too distracting.

What is happening to me?

In my periphery, I watch as Diego promises my sister that he’ll attend her concert. He makes mention of Kyle’s wedding and even consoles her by telling her something is for the best.

I can only guess what that is, but I knew my sister had a crush on Kyle Townsend for a long time. The ten-year age difference didn’t matter to her, but Kyle never saw her as anything more than one of his younger cousins. Even though there’s no blood relation.

That brings a smile to my face.

After a few minutes, Diego disconnects the call. “She had to go but said she’ll see you this weekend at the wedding.”

I nod as I turn back to face him. “I think she might be experiencing her first heartbreak.”

“I told her she’ll find someone ten times better than my cousin who’ll cherish her.”

I shake my head. “Remember, at that age, so many things seemed like life or death?” I reminisce. “Like when Darryl Brunson broke up with me, and I thought I’d never get over it.”

A laugh spills from my lips from the memories of my first boyfriend in high school.

“He never deserved you.”

“You say that about all of my exes.”

He moves closer and takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Because it’s the truth.” His voice is low and tender but somehow dominating.

I can’t look away from his eyes as his thumb begins to stroke my bottom lip. The air around us quickly charges with the electricity it held right before my sister’s call. Breathing becomes slightly more difficult. The magnitude of what’s building between us feels unconscionable.

“Diego.” His name is a whisper.

“I’m going to get going,” he says, making my heart sink slightly, which is ridiculous. He definitely should go. “I’ll pick you up as soon as I get off work on Friday.”

I blink and blink again. “This weekend?”

“For Kyle’s wedding.”

“Oh.” I snap my fingers as reality begins to sink in again. I’m Diego’s date for the wedding.

The word date takes on a whole different meaning now.

“Right.”

A half smile crosses his lips. The muscles in my stomach tighten.

He leans in and kisses my forehead. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” It's a stupid question, but I ask anyway.

He doesn’t say anything but takes my wrist, the one with my smartwatch on it, and scans it intently. I know he’s searching for my numbers.

“You can connect this to your phone, right?” he asks.

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