From A to Z - Angel Reyes

Chapter 3

When Zara got home from her outing with EZ, she planned on doing some grading first, then she wanted to take a nap before getting ready to see Angel. She only got through two assignments before her phone rang.

"Hello?" She answered without taking her eyes off her work.

"Hey," her friend sounded crushed. "I'm so sorry I never got back to you. Things are just really crazy right now."

"Oh," Zara said cheerfully, "It's fine. I get it. My life is picking up a bit now too actually."

"A man?" She asked eagerly.

Zara grinned. "Maybe even two," she joked. "I'm kidding, only one romance at a time for me."

"Meet me for dinner, I want to hear all about him!"

"When? Tonight?" Zara asked with uncertainty.

"Yes, tonight. What time works for you? 6:30? 7:00?"

"I'm actually meeting up with him around 8. Can we meet for an early dinner?"

"Perfect, 5:00," she told Zara. "Let me call around to see where I can get us a table. I'll text you."

"Oh no, I can't afford your fancy pants places."

"You don't have to, Zara. I'll see you at 5:00."

—

Zara was running late, which seemed to be a theme for her lately, and when she arrived at dinner her friend was already there.

"Emily Galindo! Emily, Emily, Emily!" Zara sang excitedly, greeting her friend with a hug. "I can't believe I'm finally seeing you in person."

"I know, it's been too long," Emily said as they sat down again, "You look amazing."

"Thanks! You too," Zara said with a smile. "How's Cristobal?"

"So big," Emily said dreamily. "You have to meet him, Zara. You'll love him."

"I'm sure I will," Zara laughed. "And Miguel?"

Emily smiled politely. "He's good. Busy with this Santo Padre expansion."

The two women caught up, both abandoning stories as they jumped from topic to topic interrupting themselves and each other.

"Oh, shit, do we have time for guy talk?" Emily asked, wiggling her eyebrows, as their dinner plates were taken from the table. "This is the first guy since Nick, right?"

"Yeah," Zara with excitedly. "I was going to post a picture on Instagram, like a sly humble brag because he's so hot, but it felt too soon. He's so gorgeous though," she said, biting her lip, "And his voice is so smooth."

"Mm-hmm," Emily said with intrigue. She grabbed her phone and quickly skimmed Zara's Instagram. She caught a glimpse of something painfully familiar to her. "Is it him?" She asked, showing Zara the photo she posted from lunch with EZ. His face wasn't even visible. In the background of the photo, one featuring her newest book purchase and her lunchtime Bloody Mary, were EZ's hands and a small tattoo on his wrist. That was all Emily needed to see to know it was him though.

"Oh, god, no," Zara said quickly. "It's his older brother actually. It's a shame, he's hot too, really smart and he was very open about his interest but, his brother is just, I don't know, there's just something there."

Emily nodded. "You know, I totally forgot I have a work thing with Miguel," she said quickly. "I have to run, Zara. I'm sorry."

Zara's eyebrows furrowed. "Oh. Okay. Are you alright, Em? You seem really upset."