siempre

phone number

Esther ends up staying for the night and the two friends talk, watch t.v., and eat ice cream. It had been a while since they had a sleepover. The next morning, they eat breakfast together and Esther leaves to start her day. 

"See you tonight."

"See ya."

Emilia gets herself ready to work at the firm. As she scans her closet, she notices she could use a few more business pants and skirts. 

"I guess this will do," she sighs as she grabs a jade colored business shirt and black dress pants. She puts on her nice black flats and finishes off her outfit with pearl earrings her mom gave her as a birthday present. They are a bittersweet reminder.

The day at the firm is a little busier than usual, which is good for Emilia. It takes her mind off of Moy. On her lunch break, she checks her phone and sees a message from Esther.

Today's the day right?

?

You're gonna ask Javier out. Riiiight?

I told you last night, I'm not interested

That's not what your face said when you were instagram stalking

I hate you🤣

No you don't

Esther is right-- in more ways than one. Of course, Emilia didn't hate her. And she also wasn't too against the idea of dating Javier. He is pretty cute, but she doubted her ability to have time for him. She shakes her head and finishes up her lunch break. 

The rest of her shift goes by smoothly and Emilia changes for her second job after grabbing a small dinner. Upon entering the diner, she immediately sees Esther, who is eagerly waiting for Emilia's arrival. After clocking in, she washes her hands and grabs an apron. Esther approaches her with a giddy smile. 

"What have you done, now?" Emilia scoffs.

"Nothing... yet," Esther gives a cheshire grin then walks to the dining room to serve customers. 

Emilia grabs a notepad and pen, then follows her friend, skirting past the cooks to avoid contact with Javier. 

She notices the diner is a little busy, so she gets straight to work. She takes her first order and puts the ticket in the window. 

"Order in!"

"Heard!"

Emilia then grabs drinks for the table and continues on to the next. This time, when she places the ticket in the window, Javier is there to greet her.

"Order," she says, a little softer this time. 

"Heard," he smiles at her. "How ya been?"

Emilia hesitates a beat before responding. "Fine. How are you?" She feels embarrassed, knowing she sucked at small talk. 

"Está bien. But none of these other servers know what they're doing. Always messing up tickets. You sure you can't work a couple more nights?"

"Nah, gotta spend time with Moy when I can."

Javier nods in understanding. "Well, the offer always stands."

He gives Emilia a dashing smile, and for a second, she blushes, but remembers her customers and quickly gets over it. "Appreciate it," she leaves to serve her tables. 

A few minutes later, her orders appear in the window and she serves the patrons. 

After the rush, it dies down a little in the diner. Emilia is wiping down tables when Esther appears, carrying a bus tub full of dishes.