Page 100 of Cava with My Colleague

“How?” My voice breaks.

One hand comes up, stroking my cheek. “I’m not asking you to give up Austin. I’m not asking you to sacrifice your career or your life. I’m asking if you’ll let me be part of it. If you’ll give us a real chance instead of just assuming it’s impossible.”

I’m crying so hard I can barely see him.

“Carlos,” I manage. “I was going to tell you—when I got back—I was going to ask Rebecca for a permanent position in Madrid.”

His eyes widen. “What?”

“I don’t want to go back to Austin. Or—I mean, I do, but not to stay.” The words are tumbling out now. “I want to stay in Madrid. I want to try this. I’ve been keeping everything temporary my whole life because I was scared of losing things. But you—” I squeeze his hands. “You made me want to stay.”

Carlos sighs, this big exhale of relief, dropping his head.

“I was going to try,” I add. “I didn’t know if you wanted—I thought maybe Thursday was just⁠—”

“Jade.” He cups my face in his hands. “I want everything. I want mornings together and arguments about nothing and Saturday dinners with my family and meeting your friends and figuring out how to make this work even though it’s complicated and messy and⁠—”

I kiss him.

And it’s an airport. No one cares. We’re just another couple, reunited; no pomp, no fluff. Just a man that says he wants to keep me forever.

We get on the Metro headed back to my place so I can unpack, and the commute gives us more time to hash things out.

“So,” I say. “Even if there is a job for me here, I’ll have to spend some time in Austin. Will you come with me when I fly back? Or do you want to spend the summer break here?” The romantic in me already protests at not seeing him for a few weeks.

“I’ll take as much time off as I can. And work remotely for a bit.”

I fiddle with the handle of my bag. “I’m not even sure Rebecca will want me here. I haven’t exactly been the best employee lately.”

He pulls me closer and I let go of the pole to hold on to him instead. “Jade, you had a hard time with the presentations, but you turned it around. And before that Rebecca suggested you for the presentation. She’ll want you here.”

I sigh, my chest pressing against Carlos’s.

He ducks down to look at me better, a half-smile tugging at his face, which softens as he looks at me. “You’re always so confident,” he says, a hint of wonder in his voice. I don’t feel confident right now, and I know that’s a lie anyways. He’s seen me at my worst.

He touches my cheek. “I love that part of you. But I love this part too.”

I kiss him again. Softer this time, sweeter. The kind of kiss that feels like a promise.

As we switch trains, ride the 8, and then walk to my apartment, his hand warm in mine, I’m already thinking about tomorrow. About calling Rebecca and asking about that permanent position. About Sunday lunches with Fernando and Diana. About figuring out where I’m going to set down roots.

About building a life that’s complicated and messy and absolutely perfect because it’s ours.

“Jade?” Carlos says as we reach the building.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

It’s the first time he’s said it directly, not as part of a grand declaration. Just simple and true.

“I love you too,” I say.

And I mean it.

33

Jade