“Hey,” I say into the phone, signaling to Valentino that I’m taking the call up the block. I keep an eye on him as he leans against the wall, just in case any trouble pops up.

“Whoa,” Dalma says. “Is this really happening?”

“I think so. . . . We’re like a block away. I could turn back, but I don’t think I want to.”

Then it’s quiet, but we’re still on the line. I’m kind of glad this is a straight-up call and not FaceTime because I’d hate to see Dalma’s face if she’s feeling betrayed. I legit feel guilty, like I’m cheating on her. I just got to own it. “I wish you were here. It’s all happening so fast, and I’m trying to go with the flow, just like I’m pushing Valentino.”

“It’s okay, O-Bro. You know I’m always willing to drop everything for you, right?”

“No doubt about it.”

“Then I’m cool. Download me later on why you changed your mind?”

“I’ll include every ‘uh’ and ‘um’ and ‘oh’ and my other Orion-isms.”

A light laugh, then a sigh. “How are you both doing?”

Valentino is pressed against that wall like he’s on a roof’s ledge.

“No day is perfect, but we’re trying,” I say. I don’t need to get into the near-death experiences or the canceled photo shoot. I’ll save that for story time when . . . when the day is done. “Dalma, he’s good-hearted.”

“He better be. He’s your match.”

“You know what I’m saying.”

“Are you being careful?”

“Sort of. We’re out and about, and I’m not letting him hop on boats and shit like that, but it’s his life to live.”

“That’s good, but I’m not crossing that line anymore. I was asking if you’re being careful about how invested you get.”

“Yeah, I’ve got a condom on my heart, don’t sweat it.”

“I’m serious, Orion.”

I keep my eyes on Valentino, wanting to kiss the hell out of him. Holding back my feelings is like sinking into quicksand; the deeper and deeper I’m buried, the more desperate I am to breathe. “I’m serious too. It’s just getting harder and harder acting like I don’t like him. Every minute that passes, I care more.”

“Do you think it’s extra charged because it’s his End Day?”

“I was feeling my feelings before I knew he was a Decker. My heart knows what’s up.”

“Then you better get back to him,” Dalma says, meaning it. “Tell him I said hi?”

“I will. I love you, D.”

“I love you too, O.”

We hang up, and I feel more at ease, like I’ve got one less hand gripping my heart as I get ready to hit Ground Zero.

I rejoin Valentino. “Dalma says hi.”