Page 69 of In Love and War
My phone buzzed on my desk, but I ignored it.
“Um, that’s very sweet of you, Mon, but I don’t think I can do today. I wish you had called…”
“Oh well,shoot.That’s a bummer. I came all the way down here too…” She trailed off with a pout and a sigh. “Hey, so um, is Zac around? We met at the charity event at your dad’s. If you can’t make it, then maybe he can… I’m just, like,starving, and you know how I have that thing about eating alone…”
Aaaaand there it is.
My stomach kicked, and I stared back at her as my brain malfunctioned.
“Oh God, would that, like, be weird or awkward for you? He’s your boss or whatever, right?” The corner of her mouth turned down with feigned concern for my feelings.
My whole body clenched.
“No, not at all. Go for it… he’s just in the office next door.” I pointed toward Zac, who was now typing away on his keyboard.
She turned her head and peeked through the glass.
“Oh wow, that’s close and… convenient.” She was visibly taken aback by the view, and a familiar note sharpened her tone. The same way it always did when she got competitive with me.
“Yeah, it’s… something. Anyways, I need to be heading out soon. I have that thing…”
I didn’t have a thing, but there was no way in hell I was going to stick around for any of whatever was about to happen. Cute, giggling coffee girls I could deal with. ButthisI couldn’t watch.
“Alright, sounds good. Thanks, Mills. We’ll chat soon!” She blew me two kisses before leaving, and seconds later I heard knocking on the door next to mine.
I grabbed my wallet and my phone and left. I wasn’t entirely sure where I was going, but quite literally anywhere would be better than a front-row seat to the Monica and Zac budding romance show.
The farther I walked, the sicker I felt to my stomach. Once again, my mind had completely spiraled. I couldn’t stop imagining Zac and Monica on a lunch date, then a dinner date, a third date, showing up together on Christmas and Thanksgiving, their engagement announcement, a wedding invitation, vows exchanged…
I’m going to throw up.
She was going to get him. She was going to win because Monicaalwayswon. The only time she hadn’t was with Kai and only because it wasn’t in the realm of possibility due to the fact thathe’s gay.That was it, the only time I remembered her not getting exactly what she wanted.
Someone honked their horn and swore at the car in front of them, pulling me off the train of thought that had my own personal hell as its final destination. I looked around, realizing I’d completely zoned out on my walk.
I was about to turn the corner when a small red sign caught my eye. It took a few seconds for me to figure out why the name was so familiar, and then I realized it was the taco place Zac had ordered from the night we ate in his office. The same one he and my father had apparently frequented when he was younger.
A combined sense of curiosity and lack of knowing where else I should go made me walk into the little restaurant.
I was immediately greeted with a “hola” and a handful of bright smiles. The place was tiny, with less than ten tables, but the traditional Spanish decor was beautiful.
“For one?” The waiter, a petite girl, probably eighteen or nineteen years old, came up to me with a menu. Her toothy grin was identical to that of the older man who had said hello.
“Yes, please.” I smiled and followed her to a small table in the corner.
I took out my phone with the intention of texting Kai and telling him about this place before I could forget. Quaint, family owned, beautifully decorated, amazing food. He would be all over it.
My screen came to life to reveal an unread message from Zac, the one he’d sent me when Monica showed up.
El Diablo
Fine, we can compromise. You keep the fern where it is, but I get to see you tonight after work instead. With fully clear views. No obstructions allowed.
An image of Monica, an absolute vision in her green dress, appeared in my mind, and the voice inside my head questioned if he would still want to see me knowing what his other option would be. My thumbs hovered over the letters, contemplating my response.
“Milly?”
I looked up to find my father standing in front of my table, his expression a mixture of delight and confusion. Strangely, it almost felt like I’d been caught somewhere I wasn’t supposed to be. Like the place was his and Zac’s, and I was an intruder.
