Rosie’s smile was there, too. A much smaller one. And I wondered if she did this often enough. Smile.
Charo scoffed, bringing my attention back to the phone. I managed not to give her an in to speak. “Adiós, hermana! And, Taco, I will miss you, chico. Be a good boy, okay?”
To that he whined, breaking my heart in two.
“Bye, guys!” Rosie said quickly. “It was great meeting you, Taco. And talking to you, too, Charo.”
Then, I finally terminated the call and lowered my phone until it rested on the kitchen island.
“The fire alarm,” I said, releasing a slow breath and not caring to move right away. “A classic,” I added while I simply stood there, with my head roughly at the same height as Rosie’s, and my body only a few short inches behind hers.
Rosie’s chuckle was sweet and soft, her posture not as stiff as when I’d first come so close. “I’m so sorry I lied to her. I feel so bad.”
“I’m glad you did,” I admitted. I was also surprised she had. Gladly. “I love my sister, but I needed some saving—and you were quicker than me.”
“I needed as much saving as you did, Lucas.”
I was going to ask why and if it had to do with my sister’s comment about her attending the wedding on her own, but before I did, Rosie’s back relaxed, coming into contact with my chest.
The sudden warmth of her body against mine took me by surprise, and the change in my breathing was enough to fill my lungs with her scent. Peaches.
Rosie’s breath hitched at the contact, and the motion somehow brought us even closer. On instinct, my arms went around her sides, my hands gripping the edge of the island. Peaches surrounded me, the soft heat coming off her body as my arms caged her, reminding me of how long it had been since I’d let anyone this close. Or close at all. Reminding me of how natural physical contact and touch had always come to me. And how I had isolated myself after what happened.
A warning flashed behind my eyes. Step away, off-limits. You’re in no place or shape for any of this.
So just as quickly as I’d moved forward, I pushed back.
Rosie was safe with me. I hadn’t made that statement lightly. I might be labeled a brute by my cousin for my lack of… refinement or manners, but I wasn’t a caveman. I had every intention of respecting Rosie. Especially now that we were going to share this apartment. Even if only temporarily.
“All right.” I turned around with a clap. I opened a few cabinets, looking for the flour. “I promised you churros. So, you’re getting churros for breakfast, roomie.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Rosie
We were roommates.
Temporary roommates, as I’d been sure to make very clear.
Because I wouldn’t take advantage of Lucas’s kindness.
It was one thing to stay in Lina’s empty place while she was on her honeymoon, like I’d intended when I’d shown up two nights ago. But it was Lucas who had been promised the apartment. I’d only accepted his help because I… I was a little desperate.
And I didn’t mind the company.
And fine, okay. I was tempted by the idea of spending more time with him, too; temptation encouraged by my—totally under control—crush. But most of all, I was running out of time. I had eight more weeks until my deadline and I couldn’t afford wasting them searching for an alternative, affordable accommodation if I was being honest. Realistic. I needed every minute and penny I had, because worse come to worst, if I didn’t hit my deadline and cash in part of my advance, my savings account would suffer.
So I’d stay with Lucas. For a few days. Until the repairs at my apartment were done. Which I was hopeful would be soon.
Returning my gaze to my laptop as it sat in front of me, I reminded myself that my focus should be on my manuscript, and not on everything else going sideways in my life. Particularly, not on Lucas.
I checked my word count for the day.
One hundred out of my daily goal of two thousand words.
A sad hundred words in three long hours. Half of which were notes for me. Setting the nonexistent scene.
I returned my gaze to the mostly blank page in front of me. My fingers hovered over the keys and I… I closed my eyes, tried to summon something, anything, and nothing solidified. Fear sprouted. Spread. Settled right in the middle of my chest. Like a stone, heavy and solid. And just like it always happened, that familiar urge to scream rose.
And once more, I suppressed it.
Because I was Rosie. Keeping it together was my thing. I planned, rationalized, took a deep breath, and adjusted without losing my shit. I was the reliable friend and daughter.