14
RAVEN
I pushmy phone away from me.
It sits on the table when I pick up a brownie from the plate, bring it to my mouth, and take a bite before washing it down with tea.
My phone hums with an alert. Chewing, I bring it back and check the screen.
My heart clenches.
Alejandro: On Sunday. Are you okay?
My vision is blurred with tears as I stare at his words. How does he always have such a good sense of how I feel?
I type a reply.
Me: Yes. I’m fine. Where are you?
I press ‘send’, and my phone buzzes with a call the very next moment.
Static echoes first. And then his voice. It sounds like he’s outside. There are voices in the background, and cars, moving and honking.
I crack a smile.
Where is he?
“Alejandro…?”
“Hey, baby… What’s going on?”
“Are you busy?”
“No. Not exactly.”
“What’s up with that noise? Where are you?”
“Cordoba.”
He speaks to someone in Spanish. I figure he’s ordered food.
“Cordoba, Spain?” I ask when he shifts his focus to our conversation.
“Argentina, baby.”
A smile lines his voice.
“Are the restaurants opened so late?”
I check the time.
He’s an hour ahead.
“Bars. I’m in a bar.”
“Huh…”
He laughs.