Dinner smells like heaven and chaos. Julia is humming, poking at a plate of tamales while telling me, for the fifth time, how her aunt almost lost her sandal chasing the neighbor's dog. I'm chewing rice when my phone vibrates on the table.
Felix. I don't think. I just inhale wrong, cough dramatically, and nearly choke.
Julia pauses mid-story, eyebrows raised. "What? You okay?"
I wave a hand, grab my phone, and read the message.
outside ur buildin
come on a ride w me
My stomach flips. "He's downstairs."
"Who?"
"Felix."
Julia jumps up and darts to the balcony, dragging me by the arm. The evening air is cool against my flushed face. We peer down from the second floor.
