“Actually, no. I think I’m going to get out of here.” I walk around the counter before he can stop me, because he loves doing that, and right now, I don’t have the patience. “It was nice seeing you!” I call out, and then I maneuver my way through the crowd and hurry for the front door.
As soon as I’m outside, stepping past a couple who is heavily making out, I send Kendall a text and tell her I’ll meet her back at the apartment.
A text comes in from Torres.
Torres: Vito’s Lounge. It’s 21+ but I know the owner. He’ll let you in.
I bite back a smile.
Me: K. Coming
As soon as I send it, I go to the Uber app and book one.
I pull up to the place where Torres told me to meet him, Vito’s Lounge. It’s an all-brick building with a black and white sign on the front of it. The door is rimmed in a purple neon strip, as well as the windows. There is a bulky bouncer at the door, but there is no line, which doesn’t surprise me seeing as it’s a Tuesday night.
I climb out of the car, thank the Uber driver, and then cross the street to get to the door.
“Name?” the bouncer asks after I tell him I’m meeting someone.
“Amber Lakes.”
“A’ight. Cool.” He opens the door for me, and I can’t believe it’s so simple.
I’ve never been inside a lounge before. This one looks nothing like it does on the outside. There are two bars on either side of the building and up ahead is a stage.
A woman is up there now, singing a soulful jazz song. Sofas made of brown leather are on the main floor, round tables between them. There’s even a VIP section on the second level, but no one is there. It’s pretty vacant, but it makes it easy to find Torres.
He’s seated on one of the sofas, watching the woman sing. His arm is resting on the arm rest of the sofa and clutched in his hand is a short glass I’m sure has liquor in it.
I weave my way through the lounge until I’m standing in the section Torres is in. He notices me and turns his head, and when he sees me, there’s a flash of relief in his eyes.
“Hey,” I murmur.
He sets the glass down on the table in front of him and sits forward. “Hey.” He pats the spot beside him, and I walk over with a smile to sit.
“Why are you all dressed up?” he asks, taking notice of my silver dress and boots. I even did my hair for the party. Two little pom poms on my head.
“I was at a party with Kendall and Janine.”
“A party? Really?” He looks amused. “Was the player quarterback at that party?”
I nod and laugh.
“Yeah, I bet he was. You talked to him?”
“For, like, five minutes. Then you texted me and I left.”
“Dropped him for me.” He smirks and reaches for his drink. “I suppose I can forgive that.”
I giggle, and then look up at the stage at the woman who is singing a new song. My eyes shift back over to Torres who has drained his glass. “Where have you been?” I ask in a soft voice.
He sighs before saying, “Just needed a few days to myself.”
“Why?”
He avoids my eyes, swirling the ice in his cup. He’s quiet a beat.
And another.
“Monday was the anniversary of my father’s death. January 26th.”
“Oh. Oh, my God, Torres, I’m sorry for asking. I didn’t know—”
He places a hand on top of mine, and I clamp my mouth shut. There’s a smile on his lips. “It’s fine, preciosa.” He adjusts himself on the sofa and I have this sudden urge to hug him or say something meaningful, but what do I say? I know what it’s like losing a parent and it’s not really something you want to sit and talk about so much, especially not around the time of the anniversary.
Torres points to the woman on stage. “That woman sang at my father’s funeral.”
“Really?” I focus on her. She’s wearing a sleek eggplant purple dress, her dark hair in rich waves, and lots of highlighter on her cheek bones, but it looks good on her beneath the spotlight. I’d say she’s singing the blues right now.
“Yep. She was a good friend of my dad’s. Maria Loiza is her name. She’s married to one of his friends. She sings here every Tuesday night.” He pauses. “Hearing her sing makes me feel closer to him somehow.”
I nod in understanding and we both remain quiet while she finishes her song. When she’s done, Torres applauds, and I do the same and she bows her head graciously. More people file into the lounge just as she begins singing a more upbeat song and the band plays along.