“You said you had something you wanted to talk to me about?”
Valerie nodded her head and put bowls down on the table. “Isabel and Romero broke up this morning.”
“Really?” Alex thought about the way Romero gazed at Isabel yesterday. “Why?”
Valerie crinkled her nose as they both sat down. “She went on a date Friday night, and he found out about it.”
Alex stared at her for a moment before his face soured. “Why’d she do that?”
He did more watching than listening as she explained the sordid story of Isabel, her family, and the blind date. He drank in every detail about her face, her hair, and the subtle movements she made when she spoke. Her big dark eyes shined when she said something that really moved her. She was amazing. He had to stop thinking about what he’d do to her later and pay attention.
When she was done, Alex lifted an eyebrow and finally ate some of his food. After chewing it he said, “Well, that’s what happens when you lie. Sucks for Romero, but I would’ve walked out too.”
She looked at him funny. “You think maybe you can talk to him?”
“And say what?”
“That she really is sorry. She tried going over to his place but he wasn’t there, and he won’t answer her calls. She was so miserable. I hated to leave her today.”
Alex didn’t like the sound of that. “Baby, he’s probably gonna be mad for a while as well he should be. But if he does get over it, I doubt it’ll be overnight. I seriously doubt anything I say will change that.”
She made the most adorable pouty face, and Alex laughed. “He probably won’t even answer my call, sweetheart. Knowing Romero he’s been at the gym all day and by now has had a few drinks.”
Valerie stood up and walked to the counter to get the rest of the tuna salad. Alex’s eyes followed her very nice behind. “You know,” she said reaching over to the end of the counter for Alex’s phone. “If they get back together, maybe Romero can take over my part of the lease. Other wise I have to stay there ‘til next year.”
“Next year?” Alex frowned as she sat back down next to him.
“Yep, just signed a one year lease earlier this year.” She placed his cell next to his bowl and gave him the most beautiful puppy dog eyes. With eyes like hers, he was toast. She did have a point about the lease. No way was he waiting until next year. He’d already taken half the day off tomorrow to get her stuff moved in.
He picked up his cell grudgingly. “So, what? I just tell him she’s sorry? Didn’t she already say that?”
Valerie gave him a look. “Tell him to answer his phone, because she really wants to explain, and she’s really upset.”
Alex went through his contacts. He couldn’t believe he was doing this, only for Valerie. He couldn’t even remember the last time he talked to Romero on the phone. He rarely chatted with any of his friends on the phone, especially not about women. This was going to be awkward.
The phone was on its third ring. Valerie watched him anxiously. Alex began to get his hopes up that Romero wouldn’t answer when he picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Romero.”
Valerie stood up and hugged him, then tried to lean in for a listen. Alex backed off and put his finger to his lips.
“Sup?”
“You uh, talk to Isabel today?”
Romero was quiet for a moment then spoke up. “Yeah, I’m with her now.”
“Oh, you are? Alright then I’ll let you go.”
“What? Wait, why?”
Great, now he’d have to explain he was calling to talk to him about his love life. “I heard about what happened today. I just wanted to see how you were doin’.”
Another pause from Romero, “What are you? Dr. Phil now?”
Alex smiled standing up to put his bowl in the sink. “Hey I’m a sensitive guy, what do you want from me?”
“Dude, get out. Seriously, that’s really what you called for?”
Alex leaned against the counter and put his arm across his chest. “Yeah, Ramon. I called ‘cause I wanted us to talk about your feelings. Who do you think made me call?”
Romero laughed. “Ah okay that makes more sense. For a moment, I thought you were getting soft on me.”
Alex laughed. After hanging up, he told Valerie what Romero said. She was more than appeased.
“So, that settles it. Romero can take over your part of the lease.”
Valerie laughed putting her arms around his waist. “We still don’t know if moving in together is something they’ve even talked about.”
He’d never get over the pleasure of having her in his arms, his life. “Well, next year ain’t happening, Z. You won’t have to pay anything here. So, just keep giving her your half of everything until the lease is up.”
Valerie peered at him.
“Why not? It’ll be kind of like before when you would spend several nights a week here, but you were technically still living at your place. Only now you’d be here every night.”
“I won’t live here rent free, Alex. Besides I thought we agreed we were going to take it slow?”
Alex leaned over and ran his hand over her perfectly round behind, “We are. First you move in for a while, then we get married.” He kissed her nose and grinned. “And there are other ways you can pay me that don’t involve money.”
Valerie giggled and kissed him, but then pulled back before he could get too crazed. “I’ll have to talk to her. I have a feeling she won’t want to take money from me, if I’m not actually living there.”