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Everything in me says yes, but I want to do this on my terms, and I’m not ready for that today. “Let’s meet at four at Calliope’s on Fed Hill.”

There’s a long breath on the other end, something that sounds a lot like relief. “Okay, great. Thank you.”

Ollie

I pull up in front of Calliope’s, the coffee house we agreed upon, and right away, I see Lux sitting by the window. Her head is bent, gaze on the screen of her computer. She’s typing away. I don’t know what her state of mind is. She didn’t sound so sure she wanted to do this on the phone.

Can you blame her?

Prior to that day, you’ve been flirty and suave. Then one day, you get pissed because you see her all over the tabloids with her ex and you beast out on her.

She stood me up.

Yeah, but you didn’t flip the hell out until you saw her with Mateo.

I’ve never done that with a client before. I pride myself in completing the job, in my professionalism, in not shitting where I eat.

And you really la cagaste this time.

I’m going in, apologizing, and heading back out. I don’t want her to think I’m unprofessional or a jerk. I’m a sucio, yes, but never an asshole.

She looks up from her computer and out into the street. We lock eyes.

It’s go time.

I grab my messenger bag from the backseat and the brown paper bag. I cross the street and am in front of her in the next thirty seconds. She runs her fingers through her hair, pushing it back behind her shoulder.

“Can I?” I say and then shake my head. “May I? I can never get those straight right away.”

A hint of a smile ghosts over her mouth, and she nods. “Please.”

I place the brown paper bag on the table between us.

She frowns. “What is this?”

“Peace offering.”

She doesn’t make a move to open it. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Coño. This is going to be tough.

“I know, but I am really sorry about the way I acted yesterday. I had no right to be like that with you. I should’ve handled myself better and voiced the issues without saying things that are none of my business or?—”

“Assuming things you know nothing about.”

She lands the blow seamlessly, and I can only wince. It’s true. I assumed a lot. If she only knew the other things I worried about that are really none of my fucking business—like her fucking the night away with Mateo or his face buried between her…

You know what? That’s not productive.

“You are a hundred percent correct. I want to apologize for that. It wasn’t professional of me, and I pride myself on my work ethic. I can work with difficult people, even those who don’t have any respect for me or the work that I do. I’m even more impressed because you have always been a nice person to me and my daughter. You are my friends’ sister and that was uncalled for.”

Not to mention we shared one of the best nights of my whole life.

She nods. “I did cancel a few times, and I didn’t communicate the changes that are happening in my professional life that would affect the work.”

“It doesn’t excuse my behavior. I should’ve acted, and reacted, better. I apologize.”

The way her eyes round reminds me of my two favorite marbles as a kid. Her lips drift apart, but she presses them together.