And now it’s like a few people are showing me a little love and I’m losing it. Filling up with way too many feelings, way too fast. I cannot, will not, start crying again. Crying in front of Carli once was enough. Twice in less than a week and in front of her family? Nah, dawg, I’m not even going out like that.

“Derek,” her dad says, sidestepping Carli for a handshake—weaker than what I expected coming from a man even taller than I am.

Carli rolls her eyes, only a little bit but I still catch it. She’s standing behind him, sliding her small, gold medallion back and forth across its chain.

Her dad continues, “Carli tells me you live close. Hope it wasn’t too hard to find.”

“Nah, not at all.” I say.

Carli playfully throws up her hands and says, “Dang, is it my turn now?”

Man, does she look good. She’s wearing this faded black 2Pac T-shirt under a pale purple cardigan, some ripped jeans, and her burgundy Blazers. Doesn’t even look like she has on makeup. Not that she needs any.

I take advantage of her open arms to get up in there for a hug. I don’t want to hug her too tight now. Not with her surgery. And not with Cole and her dad standing right here watching, either. But her hair. I forgot how good it smells. It’s like putting my face in a hedge of jasmine. I take two deep breaths, forgetting all about the audience.

Carli lets go of me. “Come,” she says, and takes my hand.

We sit on the sofa, situated in front of three large windows, and I sink into its softness. I’d almost forgotten what it feels like to sit on a comfortable couch. It feels like home.

Without telling us to pose, Cole snaps a pic of Carli and me with his phone and then says, “Made some fresh guacamole and lemonade. Want some?”

“Do I?” I say, smiling. Love me some guacamole. Makes all of the frozen taquitos and burritos I eat feel like a real meal. And I must say, my guacamole goes hard. Cole better come with it.

“Hope you can take a little heat. I make mine spicy.”

“Trust, I can take the heat. I make mine with jalapeño and serrano,” I respond.

“All right, then,” Cole says, and disappears into the kitchen.

“Hope you can take all this attention,” Carli says, and widens her eyes, “because damn!”

“I have something I want to show y’all,” Carli’s dad says excitedly, like he has big news. He’s standing up in front of the TV with two remotes in hand. Once he gets Apple TV up on the screen, he settles into the love seat beside a big fake tree.