Domi
Staring at the numbers until they started swimming in front of her eyes, Domi finally slammed her laptop shut. She couldn’t concentrate, and that meant she couldn’t work. A mistake on her part could cost thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands.
She needed to finish her work, but she couldn’t do it when all she could think about was Mitch. Who hadn’t called… or texted.
Not that she had done either.
She shouldn’t… right? He’d broken up with her, so he had to reach out first, right?
Though she supposed, she could reach out and apologize for not listening to him, for not giving him space when he’d told her what he needed. Not with the intention of getting back together, even though part of her wanted to, but she did owe him an apology. She could check in on him, make sure he was okay. Maybe find out what had set him off in the first place.
Argh.
This was madness.
Clearly, Ben and Jerry, though they’d tried their best, hadn’t cut it. She needed her real comfort food.
Abandoning her laptop and work, Domi headed for the kitchen. Cooking would help her get her head on straight anyway. Even if it didn’t, the end result would be worth it.
When Rae got home a few hours later, she came straight into the kitchen, following her nose.
“Oooh, honey…” Rae’s voice trailed off as she put her purse down, looking around at the array of food. Ana would be excited when she got home. Domi didn’t often take the time to make Puerto Rican food. It was usually a special treat, or they went to a restaurant. Ana also wouldn’t realize what it meant, but Rae definitely did.
Using the back of her arm to wipe the sweat off of her forehead, Domi looked around. Maybe it had gotten a little out of hand. She’d ended up running to two different stores to get everything she needed—the first store hadn’t had quite enough plantains for both the mofongo and the tostones.
“I couldn’t concentrate on work,” Domi said, wringing her hands.
“It smells amazing. Ana will be thrilled. It’s been months since you made tostones.”
“I made alcapurrias, too.”
Rae’s eyes lit up. Those were her favorite. What Domi really wanted was the Asopao de pollo she’d made. Once she got the idea in her head, she wanted the food her mom made her when she was a kid, suffering some kind of disappointment, she hadn’t been able to let it go. Which actually reminded her of her mom. It was never enough to make one thing—she had to make a whole feast.
“Too bad Avery has to work. I bet she’d love this.”
“I can set some aside for her. There’s plenty.” That was an understatement. There was enough for ten people. They’d be eating leftovers for days.
The thought made her sad but relieved. She didn’t want to feel like she needed comfort food for days, but she was relieved it was going to be there since she was probably going to need it.
Stupid Mitch. Stupid her. She couldn’t help but wonder, what would have happened if she hadn’t pushed him? What if she’d let him retreat and have his minute instead of pushing things? Would he have still ended things? Would they have been able to talk and work through it?
Was it too late?
Arms wrapped around her, squeezing her tight.
“It’ll be okay,” Rae whispered in her ear. Squirming around, Domi hugged her bestie back, thankful she had Rae. Sometimes, she thought Rae might be her real soul mate. Not in the romantic way. Platonic soulmates. Sisters by love, rather than by blood.
“I know,” Domi replied. It might not feel like it right now, but eventually, it would be. Though she didn’t think she’d be exploring dating again any time soon.
Mitch
After his friends left, Mitch sat on the couch, wondering if it would do him more harm than good to take a nap. Maybe he should go in early and see if he could get a Vitamin IV. It wasn’t a ‘cure’ as such, but it sure helped speed up the recovery time and would make him feel less nauseous. The grease from breakfast had helped a little, but his gut still felt all twisty and unsettled.
Maybe that’s because you know you fucked up, and it has nothing to do with all the alcohol.
Thanks, brain.
That was exactly his fear.
As if to punctuate his misery, Darth Vader’s theme began playing on his phone. Mitch groaned. The temptation to let it go to voicemail was strong, but… he had some questions only his dad could answer.
“Hey.” With only a single word, he sounded tired.
“Hey.” His dad was quiet for a long moment. Mitch was too tired to try to think of something to say, so he waited for his dad to say something. “I ah… I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“It wasn’t that. I mean… it was… but…” Mitch scrubbed his face. “I really don’t want to know about your and mom’s sex life, but that wasn’t why I left.”
“Ah.” Another moment of silence, though this one didn’t last quite as long. “Was it the lass? She seemed verra nice. Unhappy after you left, though.”
“What did you say to her?” The words came out sharper than he intended, but there was also a weird little feeling of… craving? He wanted to know what she had done. If she’d been okay.
“Told her it was nice to meet her, and it was my fault you were upset. I hope that was all right.” His father’s voice turned a little quieter than usual. Mitch blew out a long breath. Could have been worse. Could have been better.
“That’s fine. What did she say?”
“Thank you.”
It took Mitch a moment to realize that was what Domi had said. Sounded like her. Polite even when she was upset. Holding it all inside. She held far too many things inside.
