Jules
“Um, your tortillas are amazing, Maria.” I ripped off another piece. “Now I get why they’re in high demand.”
“You made that batch.” She patted my hand. “So those are your tortillas.”
“I couldn’t have done this–” I held up a piece between my fingers– “on my own.”
“It was fun making them with you and Olly.” She reached into the center of the table and grabbed one for herself.
“Did you have doubts?” Maya was sitting at the other end of the dinner table. It’s possible she didn’t want anyone to hear, but her attempt at a whisper failed.
“What? Oh, no.” I laughed because I found her rude tone hilarious. She had no idea if Olly and I were romantically involved, but she was obviously jealous. From the moment she walked into the kitchen, she made one assumption after another about me.
“Maya.” Lola pushed at her friend’s shoulder. “What was that?”
“Jules, you should come for our special Sunday dinner.” Maria grabbed a spoonful of beans. I have a feeling she was changing the subject. “I like to make extra tortillas, so you have some to take home with your leftovers.”
Olly cleared his throat and stuffed a forkful of Birria into his mouth.
Sunday dinner with Olly’s family. The same guy I had just met that morning.
“I’m busy this weekend, but thank you so much for the kind invite.” I placed some beans in the middle of my tortilla.
“Maybe next time.” She winked and grabbed some salsa.
I didn’t say a word.
Maya was now stewing with her arms crossed.
Olly looked fidgety and uncomfortable.
“I hope you understand, but I need to head out to take care of some things at the market before tomorrow.” I set my fork down and leaned back in my chair.
“I can take you to the market.” Olly pushed his chair back and stood. He drove me here because it seemed easier at the time. I was now having regrets.
“Oh, it’s okay; I can call for a taxi.” I touched his forearm and felt sparks shoot through each finger. That was interesting.
“No, absolutely not.” Maria stood and made her way over to a cabinet to pull out a couple of containers. “Olly will ensure you get back to your car safely.” She set two large containers with lids on the table. “Let me send some Birria and tortillas home with you two.”
Maya had created some unnecessary tension in the room. Even though spending time with Olly and his family felt weird, we were having fun before she arrived.
We walked to his vehicle without saying a word.
It was quiet in the small space for several minutes. Finally, Olly broke the silence. “That sucked.”
“What?” I laughed. “I had fun making the tortillas.”
“Not that. Maya.”
“She did take the room down several notches.”
“More like all the way.” He stopped at a red light. “My mom was pissed.”
“Really? Did she say something?” I turned in my seat to face him.
“She told me Maya has never acted so rude, and she felt embarrassed for her actions.” He accelerated and went through the light. “Maya is always there. She’s a part of the family. Mom felt she should’ve known better.”
“Jealousy is an evil bitch.” I turned back to face the window. “It’s not a big deal. I found it funny.”
“Funny? Why?”
“We’re not a couple. I was invited to make tortillas.” I cleared my throat. “She created a crazy made-up scenario in her mind.”
“It makes me think about what will happen when I bring a girlfriend to the house.”
“You better warn Lola first.”
We both laughed. Then, the small space went silent yet again.
I glanced out the passenger window. Memories from two years ago popped into my mind.
“What is that?” Eric snuck up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Isn’t it obvious?” I giggled and placed my hands on his forearms.
“A dinosaur?” He held his finger above the cake and traced an imaginary line around the edges.
“Seriously?” I moved out of his embrace. “That does not look like a dinosaur.” I had spent hours working on a layered cake for my sister’s birthday. She loved teddy bears.
“I know.” He grabbed me and pulled me back against him. “But you have to admit, I got you.”
Eric loved to make me laugh. Tonight, something happened. I laughed with Olly the way I laughed with my late boyfriend.
I missed the feelings Eric created inside me.
“Does that sound okay?” Olly was talking to me.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” I turned to face him.
“Are you okay?” He put his car in park and turned in his seat.
“Yup.” It wasn’t a lie; I was okay.
“Do you want me to wait until you finish inside? I don’t want you to walk to your car alone.”
I smiled and opened the car door. “Olly, are you worried about me?”
“Your safety, yes.”
“That’s kind of you.” I hopped out. “I lied about working. I’m going to go home. My car is right there.” I pointed to the white mini SUV two spaces away.
“You lied to my mom?” His eyes went wide.
“Maybe.” I grabbed the container of Birria and tortillas on the seat. “Thank you for tonight.”
“It was fun.” He smiled.
There was this awkward moment. Do I close the door or continue talking? I closed the door and walked to my car.
AUTHOR NOTE:
Oh, we just saw a shift in this newfound friendship. It was nice to learn a little bit about Jules’ past. Do you think we need to get a glimpse into Olly’s past next? Tell me, has he been married before or just had girlfriends?