I’ll never forget you, Mama. I love you to infinity and beyond.
1
Brynne
Only two and a half weeks until graduation. Then what?
I once thought I’d return to Chicago and work for my dad’s import-export business. He wanted me nearby and said we could’ve been partners in crime after hours and on the weekends. Whatever that had meant. We weren’t exactly close, but I loved him.
But now, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Didn’t know if I wanted to leave Montana and the intriguing Latino who monopolized my every thought and heated my body from my ears to my toes with only a look.
Of course, I hadn’t asked about his plans after graduation. Didn’t know if he would be staying in the states or returning to Mexico. I had no clue if he wanted to keep in touch.
Or have a long-distance love affair.
I didn’t even know if he liked me more than a friend. His dark mahogany eyes had given nothing away about how he felt about me.
Who was I kidding?
A love affair would never be enough. I needed more than a romp in the sack every blue moon, so much more than one night of pleasure. I wanted Joseph every day until the end of time.
I held my breath, searching the dining hall. We usually ate together on Wednesdays and Fridays—my favorite days of the week. Literally, I counted the minutes until I saw him. The days in between were the longest of my life.
Except for this past Wednesday, he hadn’t shown up. I’d waited over half an hour before accepting he wasn’t coming. Today made it seven days since I last saw him. I wasn’t doing so well.
My stomach twisted into a knot, my chest tightening. It would break my heart if Joseph didn’t show. I’d spend the whole weekend lamenting over not telling him how I felt when I had the chance. I’d put it off to not sound desperate. But I was as desperate as they came.
I couldn’t concentrate on anything other than him.
I couldn’t sleep without dreaming of him.
I couldn’t go another day without hearing his gravelly yet buttery voice or watching his full lips move as he spoke.
I longed to count the gold flecks in his mahogany-colored eyes and feel his hands on my bare skin. I yearned to have him tell me what he wanted and demand my complete submission.
Get a grip, girl. You sound like an addict chasing your next hit.
Perhaps I’d fallen harder than I’d realized. It would explain how the mysterious man invaded my thoughts and dreams day and night.
Did I care that I’d become obsessed with all things Joseph? No.
“Where are you?” I poked the fork into my salad, spreading the romaine lettuce around as if eating. I hadn’t had much of an appetite all week, too worried I’d said or done something to offend him. With the language barrier, he might have misunderstood something I’d said. But he should’ve at least given me a chance to explain instead of ghosting me.
Lordy, lordy, obsessing over a guy wasn’t me. If my best friend Gina were here, she might suspect I was in love with the quiet Mexican. I wasn’t ready for anyone to know the truth. At least not until I knew where I stood with Joseph.
I chewed on my thumbnail, closer to giving up. Was he actually avoiding me?
No.
Impossible.
Maybe.
But if he was, I didn’t get why. The chemistry between us was electrifying to the point it was so off the charts we could supply all the homes west of the Mississippi River with power… indefinitely.
Joseph and I were legit perfect for each other, even if he didn’t see it.
Please show up. If you don’t, I’ll think you don’t like me.