Page 40 of In Love with the Devil

I chuckle. “How did you know I would freak out?”

“This ain’t my first Latina rodeo, Mami.”

I giggle. He crawls to me and kisses me. “See you soon.”

“Bye.”

I doze off, then wake up to the vibration of my phone.

Romeo:Have you gotten up yet or did I drain you?

I giggle and decide he’s right. I should get up. Then I see all of Mindy’s texts.

Mindy:Hey… So how did it go? I’m so excited. I’ve never seen you do something like this, Astoria! What would your mom say? LOL. Just kidding. Wanna go for brunch? I have some news too.

Astoria:What’s the news?

Mindy:Nah-uh. First, tell me how it went over brunch, bitch.

I laugh and kick my legs on the bed, happy that I finally have my date story to tell her.

Astoria:Fine. Come pick me up.

Mindy:Be there in ten!

Astoria:Oh shit.

I run to shower and get ready. By the time Mindy is pounding on my door, my hair is still dripping water all over the place and I’m not even dressed. I have to open the door with a towel wrapped around my waist. Mindy laughs.

“Hi,” I greet and can’t hold back my smile.

“Well, look at little-miss-one-night-stand over here. Good morning.”

We both laugh. “It wasn’t a one-night stand,” I yell from my room as I slip into a white t-shirt and sky-blue jean shorts.

“What do you mean it wasn’t a one-night stand?” Mindy is at the doorway to the bathroom, watching me brush out the knots from my hair.

“I mean, he already texted me and we’re having some sort of date on Saturday.”

Mindy squeals so loud and for so long that I drop the hairbrush and cover my ears.

“Woman! Are you out of your mind? I’m deaf.”

She giggles. “I’m sorry. It’s just–it’s been miserable watching you go through what you went through while me and Fernando are so happy.”

“What I went through?”How much does she know?

All her happiness melts away. “Astoria. Listen.” She takes both my hands in hers. “I know you don’t want to talk about it. You don’t have to. But… I think after the way you behaved and after all the night terrors. I think I know what that guy Julian did to you."

"Mindy–"

"You don’t have to say a word, but… I’m here. Okay?”My eyes fill with tears, and I swallow. “I’m just glad that you’re ing to move on. I mean, you’re fucking glowing today,” she says.

I smile and wipe the tears. “Thank you. So, what’s the news?”

“Um.” She shows me her hand and my eyes widen at the diamond ring I see. My mouth drops open.

“Mindy Estacios, what is that thing doing on your finger?”

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