Oblivion {James Rodriguez} {Book ONE}

cafès and confrontation

"Hey guys," I smiled nervously at the group as I took a seat in between Lola and Melissa.

"You look great!" Complimented Lola.

"Thank you," I replied as I looked down.

"So, Mia," Lola continued. I snapped my head up to look at her. "I'd like you to meet my friend, Lucia."

Sat right beside Lola was a gorgeous, tanned lady with sleek black hair and striking green eyes. The combination was overwhelmingly beautiful. She looked... Balkan? Caribbean? Maybe Latino?

"Hi," Lucia said to me shyly as she extended her hand and I shook it. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," I gave her a kind smile.

Suddenly, both Carter and Dylan's phones rang at the same time. I've been ignoring Carter ever since I sat down, and I can honestly say that it wasn't as stressful as I thought it would be.

Both men mumbled rushed apologies before grabbing their phones and leaving the table to answer the calls. Lola gave me a knowing look, and I shot her my version right back.

"Is this a normal occurrence?" Lucia asked innocently. That accent was definitely foreign.

"Yes, it happens a lot. Their jobs are very demanding." Melissa rushed in to answer for the both of us.

"Oh..." Lucia trailed off.

"Mia, would you like to eat?" Lola changed the topic to me. "You haven't ordered anything."

"Yes, I'm starving!" I groaned. Lucia kindly passed me the menu and I thanked her. Scanning through the variable food options, I bit my lip. I didn't want to go for a huge meal, but I also wanted something filling as well.

In the end, I just settled for a mixed berry cocktail. All the others had already ordered and finished, so I didn't want to hold them back by ordering proper lunch. Perhaps I'll can do that when I get back home.

"So, Lucia," I started. "Where are you from?"

Her face broke into a proud smile. "I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain."

"No way!" I exclaimed genuinely. "That's amazing. You must be very proud."

"I am," she nodded. "I love my country!"

"That's great. Are you here on holiday?"

"Yes, I am. I came here last week. I've always wanted to visit America, and here I am!" Lucia gushed excitedly with a wild glint in her eyes. I really liked this girl.

"That's good to hear. This city has a lot to offer. You should enjoy it while you can." I smiled at her. The waitress placed the glass of juice on my table and I thanked her.

"Melissa, you've been awfully quiet today. What's wrong?" Lola looked up from her phone to ask a troubled-looking Melissa.

"Huh?" She snapped from her trance and noticed everyone in the table was looking at her expectantly. "Nothing."

I rolled my eyes. The amount of times she's pulled that card...

"Later," I mouthed to Lola. That was a code for admission to my apartment after lunch was over.

"Hey ladies, sorry we took long," Dylan and Carter came back.

"Is everything okay?" Lola asked Dylan in a low voice and he placed a hand on her knee reassuringly.

"Everything's fine, don't worry." Dylan replied.

"Hey, what's up?" Carter addressed me suddenly.

It took me about six seconds to realize he was speaking directly to me. "I'm good, you?" I don't know how I managed to reply.

"Same. Good weather." Carter commented awkwardly.

I gave him a weird look, as if indirectly giving him permission to ask the burning question that he seems to be avoiding.

"What?" He asked me innocently, as if his peculiar behavior that afternoon was totally normal.

"Are you okay?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Now he really looked confused. "Yes, I am. I'm fine. What makes you ask?"

At that point the entire table ceases what it was previously doing and turns their full attention to our awkward exchange. The atmosphere becomes thick and expectant as uncomfortable silence covers the table.

"Aren't you guys going to continue?" Of course, it would be the gutsy Melissa to speak up. She looked at us expectantly.

Lucia looked uncomfortable, like she would take the nearest possible chance she could to run out of the café. I felt very embarrassed that we had to meet under these complicated circumstances. Yet still, she managed to politely busy herself with fishing for something in her purse.

"Can I talk to you somewhere else, for a second?" Carter breaks the silence by looking straight into my eyes. I felt something leap inside my chest, and I wasn't sure if it was my heart or the adrenalin. Maybe both.

"Sure, okay." I replied as I made sure not to meet his intense gaze. The rest of the table, even Melissa and Lola, watched without comment as I gingerly got up from the table and walked towards Carter taking the lead.

We stopped at the corner of the cafe. It was shaded and well-hidden from our table. I properly examined his face for the first time in ages.

Nothing changed: the deep blue eyes, the perfectly symmetrical features, the set jaw line... All beautiful.

Now that I was standing right next to him, I forgot how good he smelt. Manly. Masculine. Sexy. Involuntarily, I found myself getting excited.

"I just wanted to apologize for Lola's dinner..." Carter started off, looking down.

"It's o-" I tried to assure him but he stopped me by looking up sharply.

"I know you and James had a thing for each other, and I ruined it that night."

My eyes widened at him. Not because the statement was untrue, every bit of it was factual. I actually did feel something big brewing up with James that night, and in came the one disaster that tipped over the house of cards. Carter spoke the truth, and for the first time, I found myself at a loss of words.

"I'm sorry that I ruined it. You deserve to be happy again." He continued softly once I've failed to hold my argument further.

An indescribable feeling of affection and and admiration towards him hit me. The walls that I have built specifically for him were wearing down, brick by brick. The sincerity in his words could not go missed.

"Thank you so much," I whispered, smiling softly at him. "I mean it. And don't worry about me and James. What is meant to happen, will happen."

Carter's eyes lit up with an unfamiliar glint, a determined spark. His lips curved into a small smile, before he smoothly grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him.

My breath caught in my throat but it didn't matter.

The blood wasn't rushing to my brain and every part of my body tingled with numbness and anticipation but it didn't matter.

It didn't matter because Carter's lips were now on mine.