Page 73 of Between Here and There

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Joshua

We’re leaving in an hour, and I’m buying mints at Lily’s. Just as I’m about to drop my money on the counter, Manang Linda enters.

“Too eager to leave, Joshua?” she teases.

“Eager? Not at all,” I say with a casual wink.

She raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. “You sure about that? You look like someone with somewhere important to be.”

I laugh, slipping the mints into my pocket. “Just making sure I’m prepared for the flight.”

“You and Emily ready?” she asks. I simply nod, with a smile. “She looks like she’s going through something.”

My casual demeanor falters. “Why? What happened? Is she okay? Did she say something?” I ask, the words spilling out faster than I can catch them.

She narrows her eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching upward in a knowing smile. “You’re the boyfriend,” she says with a shrug. The word catches me off guard, and I quickly remember the act. I straighten up, forcing a calm expression.

“Emily doesn’t always ask for help,” I say, carefully choosing my words.

“Doesn’t mean you can’t help her,” Manang Linda replies. “Anyway, I’m sure you have it figured out. You are together, after all. I see how smitten you are with her.”

I muster a smile, though my thoughts are anything but light. “Is she okay?” I ask again, quieter this time.

“I don’t know,” she says, her voice a little gentler now. “But whatever it is, if it’s a problem in your relationship, fix it. She’s a lovely girl, that one. Intelligent, strong—”

“Beautiful,” I add before I can stop myself.

Manang Linda gives a satisfied nod. “Yes. Girls like her don’t come around often. Especially for you.”

That last part catches me off guard, and I frown slightly. “What does that mean?”

“Well, I’ve seen you with girls before—don’t act surprised. You’ve been away for ten years, but in the moments I remember, you’d wink and smooth-talk your way through every relationship growing up. You’ve had more girls than I have wrinkles on my face. But none of it was like this,” she says.

“Like this?” I echo, genuinely curious now.

“You,” she says, pointing at me with a knowing look. “You’re different. Calmer. More... serious. With Emily, it’s not just about showing off. You’re invested. I see it in the way you look at her, even when you think no one’s watching.”

I sigh. Manang Lindathinks I’m different with Emily because she’s “the one.” And for a second, I wish it were true.

“I guess she brings out a good side of me,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

Manang Linda smiles knowingly, but her next words are softer. “Then don’t lose her, Joshua.” She gives me a casual wink, and taps the floor with her cane.

I swallow hard, nodding as I leave Lily’s. Her words linger as I step outside, the weight of them settling into my chest. Don’t lose her?

Joke’s on you, Manang Linda. Because I never really had her to begin with.

We haven’t spoken a word since we left. The silence hangs heavy in the car, broken only by the hum of the tires on the road. I glance at Emily in the passenger seat. She’s leaning slightly against the window, her fingers fiddling with the strap of her bag. She’s wearing a black tank top and white jeans, and even in the midst of all this awkwardness, she’s beautiful. The sunlight filters through the windshield, catching on the golden undertones of her skin, making her eyes seem impossibly warmer beneath her oversized sunglasses. It even emphasizes the faint freckles across her nose, freckles I don’t think I’ll ever stop noticing.

I want to say something—anything—to break the tension. But every time I open my mouth, the words catch in my throat.

As we enter the airport, I steal another glance at her. She’s biting her lip, a nervous habit I’ve picked up on during the past few weeks. Is she dreading this as much as I am? I hate not knowing.

By the time we’re seated at the gate, waiting for our boarding group to be called, the awkwardness feels suffocating. I can’t stop stealing glances at her, hoping for some kind of opening, some sign that she wants to talk. But she’s staring straight ahead, lost in thought.

We’re called to enter the plane, and I go straight to business class. Emily pivots to the other side but I manage to catch her elbow. She looks up at me with surprise, and for the first time all day, her eyes meet mine. I missed those eyes, and I can’t help it as my mouth twitch up to a smile.

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