AMORE MIO. j. peña

【nine】

Something changed.

But Elodie didn't know exactly what.

Maybe his cologne that now smelled like fresh citrus? Or the new pillows on their couch?

She had been watching Cody since he came back stressed one evening, sitting in the kitchen with a beer. She didn't want to ask him about it, so she gave him a kiss on the cheek and pretended that everything was fine.

That when she came home from the pharmacy he hadn't disappeared at all.

Everything was slowly going back to normal. Cody promised her he would have some time off soon, but for now he was working double time, leaving her alone for almost one month.

Now, as she watched him sip his coffee, standing in the morning sun, she wondered if the man she loved was worth the wait and those lonely nights in their shared apartment.

Sunny snapped her out of thought, scratching her knee with his paw. She glanced at him, smiling as the golden retriever wagged his tail. He was the only one who never left her side, being with her every day and night. Sometimes she liked to joke that he should switch places with Cody, but she quickly came to her senses when she realized that she might lose him because of it.

"What do you think, El?"

She blinked, searching for the person who was talking to her.

It was Lorenzo, Cody's partner and co-worker. His friends arrived this morning, showing up at their apartment as an emergency. All four of them, including Cody, were to go on a delegation that was supposed to bring them promotion.

"I think- Sorry, could you repeat that?"

He chuckled.

"What's going with you? You must've had a lot of fun yesterday." he winked at her before speaking to his friend. "Am I right, lover boy!?"

But Cody only shook his head, putting down an empty coffee mug.

"Shit, it's so late already." said Roberto, checking the time. "Guys we better go before our plane takes off."

"Relax, Robbie." Cody reassured him, grabbing his jacket from the chair and walking over to her. "We still have some time."

She sighed lightly when she felt his hands on her waist. She leaned in, waiting for their lips to touch, but he quickly turned his head, ending up kissing her cheek.

Elodie's heart crushed.

"I'm gonna miss so much, baby." he said, embracing her body. She stiffend in his arms, for the first time not knowing what to do. "I'll call you when it's over, okay? Drink plenty of water and remember to take some rest."

And before she could say anything, he was gone.

* * *

"I think I know what's wrong."

Steve and Connie raised their gaze and Javier took a seat next to them.

"So?" she urged him.

"It's her boyfriend."

Murphy let out a a dry chuckle.

"I knew nothing good could come from this fucker."

"Steve." Connie warned him.

"What? I'm speaking facts."

Javier shook his head.

"Elodie told me that he doesn't want to spend time with her anymore. I thought that they had argument or something but she denied it, so I didn't push it further."