Always Been Mine by Elizabeth Reyes Page B

voice had such an effect on her.
    He stopped leaving her messages until Sunday night. She couldn’t bring herself to listen though she hadn’t erased it. It was still sitting in her voicemail box, unheard, and she thought about it all week.
    She threw her briefcase down and kicked off her three inch heels as soon as she walked in the door.
    Isabel was in the kitchen making something. Valerie was famished. “Smells yummy.”
    Isabel glanced up from her cutting. “The shoes, Missy.”
    Valerie walked toward the kitchen. “I’ll get them after I eat. I’m starving.”
    Isabel shot her a stern look. Valerie slumped her shoulders and went back for the shoes.
    While she was in her room putting her shoes away, she decided to change into shorts and an old t-shirt. Her phone rang. It was Luke.
    “Hey.” She held the phone against her shoulder while she pulled on her shorts.
    “Valerie, I know you’re tired I won’t keep you. I was just wondering if instead of going out to dinner tomorrow night, you wouldn’t rather come over to my place. I’ll make you dinner.”
    Valerie didn’t answer immediately and he added, “I make a kick ass lasagna. I’m at the supermarket now, so, I thought I’d call before I pick up all the stuff.”
    Valerie winced. Talk about no pressure. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
    “You sure? We don’t have to. I just thought since I’ve bragged so much about my cooking, I should make something for you already.
    Valerie smiled. “No, it really sounds good. Do you need me to bring anything?”
    “No, just your appetite.”
    After hanging up with him, she walked back into the kitchen where Isabel was still cutting up stuff at the counter. Isabel looked up at her.
    “I hope you’re hungry. It’s clean-out-the-fridge day.”
    “Again?” Valerie walked over to the stove. “What smells so good?”
    “Those party weenies we had left over from the bridal shower.”
    Valerie took one out of the bar-b-q sauce they were simmering in with a fork and bit it. “Mmm, I thought we’d left all the leftovers at my dad’s house.”
    Valerie had thrown Sarah an all-girl bridal shower at her dad’s house a few weeks ago. She’d hoped it would it would be enough and maybe they wouldn’t throw any other showers where she’d inevitably have to see Alex. But Angel’s family was party crazy, and went ahead with their enormous co-ed shower anyway.
    “Your step-mom dropped this off today, said your dad is not supposed to be eating this stuff anymore.”
    Valerie grabbed a water out of the fridge and sat down on one of the bar stools in front of the counter, facing Isabel.
    Isabel had all kinds of goodies out. Once a week, she cleaned out the fridge, throwing out all the bad stuff. She then cooked and cut up anything about to go bad. Between her and Valerie, they got rid of it all.
    “I’m surprised you’re not with Romero tonight.”
    “He wanted me to come over but… I dunno. I just don’t want to overdo it with him.”
    “Isabel, I thought you liked him?”
    “I do. That’s what scares me.”
    “Why?” Valerie frowned. “It’s a good thing he wants to be around you so much. He’s a good guy.”
    “I know. I know.” Isabel continued cutting cucumbers. “I’ve just never been with anyone like him. He’s so different from all the overly polished guys I usually go out with. He’s raw, and he doesn’t care about being politically correct. He says things like he sees them, all bullshit aside. For someone who’s so up front and open, he hasn’t mentioned anything about a relationship yet. What if this is just a fun thing for him? I’m having fun, but I’m afraid to put my heart out there like that until I know for sure he’s serious.”
    “Oh, he seems serious to me.” Valerie popped a couple of cheese cubes in her mouth.
    “I’m just slowing it down a little, before I get too far gone.” Isabel shrugged and gave Valerie a weak smile.
    Valerie didn’t push it. She knew Isabel was