“She probably hasn’t even had dinner,” I told Julia, already pulling some cash out of my wallet to pay for my drink. The woman survived on Cheetos and bad coffee. She needed a fucking keeper, and even with the thrill of this project still pulsing through me, nothing felt more important than taking care of her.

“I’m going to check on her.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket, then snapped a picture of José and Tariq bookending Salome as they twerked to a Doja Cat song booming across the room. I made quick work of DMing it to my roommate on Instagram.

Theo.Ganas.2576: You really let these clowns out without supervision?

Bookish Boudoir: New phone, who dis?

Smart-ass. At least she was making jokes.

Theo.Ganas.2576: I was hoping I could buy you a drink. I heard you got good news to share.

I knew I was pushing it there. Alba had made it abundantly clear to me that her business was none of mine. But something bugged me about her blowing off her friends. There was more going on than her feeling under pressure. I saw the three dots pop up and disappear, then reappear again a few times. Finally, a photo of her sewing machine and the fabric she was stitching popped up.

Bookish Boudoir: Can’t. Working. Finishing up something for Rocco’s niece. Then I have to get started on something else...

I looked closer and smiled when I saw the illustrations of brown fairy-tale princesses. She had what looked like a Snow White with afro-puffs and a Cinderella in crystal espadrilles. It was beautifully done, the love and care she’d put into it shining through. This was more than a job for Alba—this was her calling.

Theo.Ganas.2576: You want some help?

Again the three dots appeared and reappeared... I smiled thinking that she’d probably typed a searing “fuck off” then thought better of it and replaced it with a more polite version...along the lines of “leave me alone.”

Bookish Boudoir: Nah. Have fun though. See you in the morning.

I should’ve left it alone. Alba had enough on her plate without me pressuring her to give me something she didn’t have to give. And yet, here I was sick with want, and needing to see her, more than I wanted to keep my pride. I wanted her to know that I saw how much she sacrificed for her dreams.

“Hey, hermano,” I said, leaning over and interrupting Gio, Dani, Ivan and Tariq from their conversation. “I’m going to bounce. I’ll be in touch,” I assured Ivan and Gio. I meant it too. But first I had to go and see to the reason why I was in this city in the first place.

Alba

“You got time for a snack break, Alba Artemisa?”