Page 111 of Shadowed Obsession

I lie in bed, relishing thecoquísas they sing, and replay every time I whistled for Deirdre. Every scowl, smirk, and laugh she’d make when she heard me nearby, I’ll cherish forever. I open the bedroom window to record a voice message of thecoquísfor her.

She hasn’t responded to any of my calls or texts, and I didn’t mention leaving for Puerto Rico. Still, I don’t miss a beat by telling her goodnight and good morning so she knows I’m thinking of her.Abuelathinks she’ll speak to me again, and I hope that’s true.

Goodnight, Doe.

I send the voice message and wait for sleep to take me, hoping their song brings her as much comfort as it brings me.

8:14 p.m. | 9 days after ‘the last incident’

Abuelapassed comfortably in her sleep after our talk that night, exactly how she wanted. As difficult as this all has been, I am grateful we were able to honor her wish.

Elías and I have been the glue for everyone as we’ve navigated the funeral arrangements and laid her to rest. Today was incredibly rough, but we celebrated her in the way she appreciated. A party, music, and goodpitorro.

I remember having parties as a kid andmis abuelosdanced all night long. She would demand he carry her off the dance floor when her feet started to hurt, and he would every singletime. I imagine they danced with us today as they watched on. Celebrating never having to be apart again.

The day is done, and we’ve cleaned up, put away all the leftovers, and I could use some fresh air. I step onto the porch, greeted by the night sky and singingcoquís.

Elías later joins me outside, emerging with a box of cigars that belonged to ourabuelo.“We earned these. I’m gonna grab a drink. You want one?”

“I could use one,” I admit.

“Alright then. Be right back,” he says, disappearing into the house.

I know I have cases waiting for me, but I am not ready to return to Austin. I’m not looking forward to going back to the way things were before Deirdre.

I scroll through our text thread back to that first night. There was a mutual pull toward each other, and despite what she accused, I was genuinely interested in knowing more about her.

It was unprofessional regardless of my intentions, and I should’ve spoken up when I felt a need to engage with her, beyond being a subject. I know I fucked up, but when I get back I’m going to tell the Hales I’d like to dissolve our contract and move on.

I’ve spoken with Emiliano who offered his condolences. While he didn’t have a definitive answer yet, I have faith in him. It may not smooth things with Deirdre, but I could acquire a client to do meaningful work for, instead of the bullshit I’ve been doing for Dax and Dara Hale.

I know I promisedAbuelathat I would make room for love, but I don’t plan on it if I can’t work things out with Deirdre. I’ll be an insufferableviejoif I have to, missing her for the rest of my days, because she isn’t someone you just move on from.

Elí exits the house with a bottle of Divin whiskey and two shot glasses in hand.

“Divin? Really?” I ask with an exasperated sigh.

The universe has gotta be playing with me right now.

He eyes me curiously, setting the glasses on the patio table and grabbing two white patio chairs for us.

“What did Divin do to you? Ilovethis shit,” he says, taking a seat across from me.

“Plenty,” I say with a humorous laugh, joining him at the table. “I can’t get her off my mind, and she won’t even talk to me.”

“¿Qué?Who? And what do they have to do with my favorite whiskey?” he asks, pouring a finger of brown liquid into both glasses.

“She’s an owner of the company,” I admit.

His eyebrows shoot up, and he starts fishing in his pocket, pulling out his phone with a smirk.

“Donotlook her up, Elí,” I warn.

“Cállate,” he says, waving me off. “Let the lonely widow google the woman that’s got you ready to cry over a bottle of whiskey.”

“No me jodas,” I beg, sinking into the patio chair.

His thumbs tap the screen, and his brows raise.

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