Esther ends up staying for the night and the two friends talk, watch t.v., and eat ice cream. It had been a while since they had a sleepover. The next morning, they eat breakfast together and Esther leaves to start her day.
"See you tonight."
"See ya."
Emilia gets herself ready to work at the firm. As she scans her closet, she notices she could use a few more business pants and skirts.
"I guess this will do," she sighs as she grabs a jade colored business shirt and black dress pants. She puts on her nice black flats and finishes off her outfit with pearl earrings her mom gave her as a birthday present. They are a bittersweet reminder.
The day at the firm is a little busier than usual, which is good for Emilia. It takes her mind off of Moy. On her lunch break, she checks her phone and sees a message from Esther.
Today's the day right?
?
You're gonna ask Javier out. Riiiight?
I told you last night, I'm not interested
That's not what your face said when you were instagram stalking
I hate you🤣
No you don't
Esther is right-- in more ways than one. Of course, Emilia didn't hate her. And she also wasn't too against the idea of dating Javier. He is pretty cute, but she doubted her ability to have time for him. She shakes her head and finishes up her lunch break.
The rest of her shift goes by smoothly and Emilia changes for her second job after grabbing a small dinner. Upon entering the diner, she immediately sees Esther, who is eagerly waiting for Emilia's arrival. After clocking in, she washes her hands and grabs an apron. Esther approaches her with a giddy smile.
"What have you done, now?" Emilia scoffs.
"Nothing... yet," Esther gives a cheshire grin then walks to the dining room to serve customers.
Emilia grabs a notepad and pen, then follows her friend, skirting past the cooks to avoid contact with Javier.
She notices the diner is a little busy, so she gets straight to work. She takes her first order and puts the ticket in the window.
"Order in!"
"Heard!"
Emilia then grabs drinks for the table and continues on to the next. This time, when she places the ticket in the window, Javier is there to greet her.
"Order," she says, a little softer this time.
"Heard," he smiles at her. "How ya been?"
Emilia hesitates a beat before responding. "Fine. How are you?" She feels embarrassed, knowing she sucked at small talk.
"Está bien. But none of these other servers know what they're doing. Always messing up tickets. You sure you can't work a couple more nights?"
"Nah, gotta spend time with Moy when I can."
Javier nods in understanding. "Well, the offer always stands."
He gives Emilia a dashing smile, and for a second, she blushes, but remembers her customers and quickly gets over it. "Appreciate it," she leaves to serve her tables.
A few minutes later, her orders appear in the window and she serves the patrons.
After the rush, it dies down a little in the diner. Emilia is wiping down tables when Esther appears, carrying a bus tub full of dishes.
"How's it goin'?"
"Good," Emilia draws out the word, as if she is asking a question.
"Saw you talking to Javier earlier," she eyes Emilia.
"Yeah, just the same old stuff. Wants me to work more."
"Uh-huh.." Esther isn't buying it.
"Es todo!"
"Okay, okay, cálmate. Just wanted to check in." Esther grabs the dirty plates off of the table and puts them in the tub. Emilia pauses, biting her lip in thought.
"What's wrong?"
"Do you really think I should-- date him?" Emilia says the last part quietly.
Esther sighs. "I've only said it a million times."
"I know, I know, but seriously."
"Yes! Seriously."
Emilia takes a deep breath. "Okay. But he has to make the first move."
Esther puts her hands up. "Okay, he makes the first you. And you have to say yes."
"Alright, okay. I'll say yes. Don't you dare say a word to him." She points her finger at her friend. Esther mimics zipping her lips and throwing the key away.
"Not a word," Esther agrees.
The two finish cleaning the dining room and get ready to close for the night. As they finish up putting clean dishes away, the other line cooks begin clocking out and leaving. Finally, it was just Emilia, Esther, and Javier doing the last few tasks. Esther puts the drawers away and locks the office.
"See you Saturday," Esther hugs Emilia before leaving.
The door shuts behind her as she exits, leaving Emilia to close with Javier. He is finishing up bricking the grill. Emilia throws all the dirty towels and aprons in the laundry bin and grabs her keys to leave. As she clocks out, Javier grabs his jacket and keys, then clocks out as well. She turns the lights off and they both exit, locking the door behind them.
"How's Moy doing?" Javier asks as they walk to their cars.
"Good. He's on a camping trip right now."
"Camping? Wow, I bet he's having fun."
"Yeah," she walks toward her car, grabbing her key fob.
"So, uh," he stops just before reaching his car, his hand in his hair. "You got any plans tomorrow?"
Emilia is stunned. "I, uh, work tomorrow. During the day."
"Oh," he responds almost inaudibly.
"But I don't have anything going on in the evening," she adds shyly.
"Oh," his tone is a little more upbeat. "You wanna hang out? I have the day off so we can do whatever."
"Sure," she gives a smile.
"Let me give you my number," he walks over to her and Emilia is still frozen. When he reaches her, she takes out her phone and opens a new contact screen and hands him her phone. He enters his number and gives it back. "Just text me and we'll come up with a plan." He gives her a smile and her heart skips a moment. He has a really nice smile.
"Okay, sounds good. Hasta mañana, buenas noches," she bids him goodnight and he does the same.
They both get into their car and Emilia drives home, in a daze. She couldn't believe she said yes to going on a date with Javier! Esther was going to flip.
After she settles in for the night, Emilia texts her best friend.
Guess who has Javier's #👀
❗️❗️Finally!! Have you texted him??
No not yet. Idk what to say
Just be yourself
Yeah no I'm boring
No you're not
He wants to meet up tmr
Oh?
Not like that
No judgement. What are you gonna do?
Not sure. He said we'd figure it out
Well ask him what he wants to do
Emilia gets butterflies in her stomach. How can she possibly start a conversation with him? She ruminates over what to text, typing and retyping a draft text.
Just send it!
Esther knew Emilia all too well. Mustering up courage, Emilia sends the message to Javier.
Hey it's Emilia. Do you like mini golf?
Mini golf?? Really, Emilia?? She thinks to herself.
Her phone buzzes almost immediately.
Not really good at it but it's fun
She smiles at the message.
You wanna do that tmr?
Would love to. Just tell me when and where
Her heart leaps and she charges her phone, going to bed for the night. She hasn't been this excited in years.
yay! she finally got his #. super excited for the rest of this story. i have a lot planned!