siempre

mini golf

"I'm sure he's fine. Makes sense not to have any service if it's a true camping trip."

"Yeah," she forces a smile. "But what about you? You have any siblings?"

"Two brothers. One younger, one older."

"Oof. My condolences. I hear it's tough being a middle child."

"Yeahh, not the best," he laughs, shrugging. "But I'm making it."

The next hole involves hitting over water and Emilia hits her ball straight into the small pond.

"Ver? I suck," she admits, laughing at herself. 

"Only if I make it over, then you would suck."

Javier puts his ball and it makes it over the pond. 

"Entonces, I guess you do suck," he quips at her before flashing a grin. Emilia scoffs with a wide smile on her face and hits his arm lightly. "I'm just kidding. I'll grab your ball."

Javier retrieves it and Emilia tries again, miraculously making a hole-in-one.

"What?! How is that even possible??" Javier is stunned.

"I guess you suck now," she sticks her tongue out at him and he smiles. 

They finish up their putting course and return the rentals. Javier walks Emilia to her car.

"It's only 8:30, wanna grab some ice cream or something?" Javier asks.

"Sure, that sounds good right about now."

"My treat, since you beat me."

"I definitely didn't."

"No, but that hole-in-one was impressive." 

Emilia smiles brightly. "It was. Okay, deal."

"What's your favorite ice cream spot?"

"Hm," Emilia ponders. "Jerry's."

"No way! That's my go-to. Every time."

"Well, I'll see you at Jerry's."

"See ya there."

Emilia gets into her car and meets Javier at the ice cream shop. They are the only two there. 

"So, what's your flavor?" he inquires.

"In the summer, s'mores, but I'm feelin' froggy today."

"Verdad? Qué quieres, nena?" 

"Rocky road," she smiles. 

"Ooh, good choice."

"What are you getting?"

"I'm feelin' froggy, too. I'm gonna get espresso chip this time."

"Yo, that sounds so good. Wait a minute," Emilia takes a closer look at the flavors. She begins deliberating over the choices. 

"You can get both, ya know," Javier says to her, almost as if it were a secret. Emilia blushes from the proximity of his torso to her shoulder. 

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, why pick? Just get 'em both," Javier gives her a reassuring smile and butterflies float around in Emilia's stomach. 

"Okay, I'll get a scoop of both," she responds with a soft smile. 

"Okay. Cone or no?"

"No, thanks."

"Cool, be right back."

Javier orders their dessert and they sit at one of the tables. While they eat, Emilia tries to avoid his eyes, but Javier notices.

"How is it?"

Emilia is in the middle of taking a bite and makes eye contact, she blushes and immediately laughs.

"It's good. I'm sorry, you caught me at a bad moment."

"Don't be sorry, it was cute," he smiles at her endearingly.

Her cheeks are burning now, at a loss for words. He takes a bite of his ice cream and she does the same.

"When does Moy come back?"

"This Sunday evening."

Javier nods his head, taking another bite. Emilia didn't know what else to say, but she could tell he was thinking about something.

"Would you.." he pauses momentarily, looking at the table. She anticipates the rest of his sentence. "Would you want to go out again?" He lifts his head and finds her eyes. Emilia is stuck for a moment inside the gentleness of his eyes, but responds shortly afterward.

"Sure. Yeah, I'd like that," she nods and he grins, finishing the last bite of his espresso chip. Emilia finishes hers and they walk out to their cars. 

"Let me know when you make it home," he says to her before she gets into her car.

"Will do. Thanks for the ice cream. And for letting me beat you at mini golf," her lips curl into a smile. 

"Yeah, that won't be happening again. The beating me at mini golf, that is."

"We'll see about that."

"Are you asking for a rematch?"

"I don't know," she opens her car door. "Am I?" She smiles smugly and he returns it. "I'll see you later."

"See you later."

Emilia gets into her car and drives home, feeling lighter than air. True to her word, she texts Javier when she reaches her apartment.

Made it

Me too. I had fun tonight. Looking forward to another one

Same here. Bring your A game next time

Don't you worry nena

The flutters occur again upon seeing the term of endearment. She knows its just a friendly nickname, but she can't help but feel it is more than that. 

The rest of the week goes by and Moy returns from his camping trip. He thanks his sister what feels like a million times for allowing him to go. As part of his 'thank you,' he bought a wolf tooth as a souvenir for her. Emilia was elated and felt a weight lifted off of her since he came back safely. He begs her to go on a camping trip with him and she responds that she will think about it. 

That night, after Moy settles himself back in, Emilia gets ready for bed. Her phone buzzes on the nightstand.

You free tmr night?

Maybe Moy just got home and I don't wanna leave him so soon

Okay no worries. Glad he made it back safe

Emilia bites her lip. Maybe she is worrying too much. But she has to make sure Moy's okay. Right? Or is that just her excuse? 

Actually, I am free. I can ask Esther to watch him if she's able to

You sure?

Yeah I'll see you tmr

See you tmr nena

was super excited writing this chapter. hope you enjoyed it! more to come soon

translations:

ver? - see?

entonces- so/then

verdad?- truth/really?

qué quieres? - what do you want?

nena- term of endearment that means "sweetheart" or "girl"