As curious as I was, asking him to elaborate would be none of my business. So I went with, “Well, that’s too bad.” A loud giggle came from the table closest to the window, and a quick glance told me the source was a small group of teenagers. “Don’t look,” I told him. “But I think you might have a little fan club over there. And they’d be super disappointed if they heard you saying that.”
Mr. Castillo’s expression filled with humor. “Well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint them, so I guess we can keep that between us.”
He was a nice man, I thought.
And for some reason, a flashback of me bawling on Lucas’s chest came to mind. “About the other day, during the visit at my apartment, I should probably apologize for how… very uncomfortable that visit must have been for you, so now that I see you here”—I shrugged a shoulder—“I want to, you know, say sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” he said with a wave of his hand. “There’s no point in denying my brother-in-law is an asshole.”
“Oh, so you’re family with Mr. Allen?”
He nodded with a sigh. “For better or for worse.” He seemed to think of something. “Which reminds me, I’m not sure if he’s called you yet and gave you the news.”
I frowned. The news?
“Okay,” Mr. Castillo said. “So he hasn’t, I see.” He shook his head. “I have this policy of no work talk on a Sunday but I think I can make an exception.” A pause. “Your apartment will be ready for you to move back in soon. On Friday, probably.”
Friday.
That was… in five days. Less than a week.
He smiled, and in that moment, I thought of Lucas’s grin. And how Mr. Castillo’s didn’t make me feel… anything.
“Oh,” I breathed out, disappointment settling deep in my stomach.
Disappointment.
Because that meant no more living with Lucas. And soon, our four experimental dates would run out. Because we were on date three out of four, if we counted Halloween as one. Which we probably should; where else would that night fit otherwise?
And after our research was over, if we didn’t live together, I wouldn’t be spending any more time with Lucas.
No more Lucas.
Because after that he’d leave New York, too.
Taking in a deep, shaky breath, I noticed Mr. Castillo frowning.
“That’s good,” I croaked when I recovered. “Really good. Very good. Thank you.”
He tilted his head.
I shook mine, cursing myself for being so silly. I should be happy. This was good news.
“Sorry, I’m just…” Why was my throat feeling dry? “I’m tired and that’s why my face is not showing it, but I’m really happy. Thanks for letting me know, Mr. Castillo.”
That seemed to appease him somehow, because he waved his hand in front of him and said with a new smile, “Please, call me Aiden.”
“Oh, sure.” I tried to return it, willing my lips up. “You can call me Rosie, too.”
“Perfect.” He nodded his head slowly, as if coming up to a decision. “You know, I’m actually very happy I ran into you. I was wondering, now that we…”
The door opened behind Mr. Castillo, his voice fading into the background the moment I noticed the man entering the coffee shop.
My heart did a cartwheel in my chest, the sweetest brand of surprise filling my tummy, even if I had told Lucas that I’d be working here.
Lucas spotted me immediately. He was wearing his blue I NYC cap and his face was parting with that bright smile I wished was just for me. Me, Rosie. Not for Rosie, his roommate or friend.
I watched Lucas stride in my direction, his gaze fastened to mine, moving like a man on a mission, closing the distance almost as quickly as the beating of my heart.
He came to a stop beside Aiden, his focus on me, and said, “Hello, preciosa.”
“Hi,” I answered, the word coming out wobbly at that preciosa.
I’d looked it up. I knew what it meant, and it might be one of my favorite words now that he’d decided to use it on me every time he saw me.
Preciosa. Beautiful. Precious. Gorgeous.
Aiden cleared his throat, reminding me that he was still there. And judging by his expression, he was waiting for… something?
“So, what do you say, Rosie?” Aiden said, looking at me with a small frown. “I know this great place. It’s not far from here, actually.”
I blinked at Aiden. Crap. I had no idea what he might have asked me. I’d gotten distracted. Befuddled by Lucas’s arrival. By that preciosa. By him.