My shoulders sink as I stare back at her. “I bet that was really hard for you.”
“I would’ve thought it would’ve been harder, but in the moment, it was the easiest decision I’ve ever made.”
“I'm proud of you.”
A soft smile lifts her lips. “Proud of me?”
“Yeah, for being brave enough to choose something different for your life. Not everyone does that.”
“It might not have been brave. It might’ve been stupid because I don’t know what I’m going to do now. For the first time ever, I don’t have a plan, and it’s a little unnerving.”
I lean back, studying Camila. There’s something lighter about her face tonight. Not carefree exactly, but unburdened. Like she dropped a boulder she didn’t even realize she’d been carrying.
“Selena will be happy,” she says. “Now all my focus can be on planning the most amazing bridal shower and bachelorette party.”
“That’s true. Assuming, your help doesn’t come with advice about how she shouldn’t be getting married in a few weeks.”
“No, I’ve officially decided to stay out of it and let my baby sister get married in peace.”
“Because you know you won’t convince her, or because your views on marriage have changed?”
“Probably a little bit of both.”
The waitress drops off our waffles, interrupting our conversation. One plate, two forks, because Camila always steals bites from mine anyway.
“Okay,” I say, taking a bite. “So, until you figure out your next big lawyer move, you could try out new hobbies.”
Her brow arches. “Hobbies?”
“Yeah. You could learn how to knit. Make us matching sweaters with little cowboy hats stitched on them.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Fine, then pottery. You’d look good with your hands in clay. Or how do you feel about hot dogs?”
“Hot dogs?”
“You could become a competitive eater. Start small, waffles first, then work your way up to hot dogs.”
“Competitive eating? Really? That’s what my life has come to?”
“I mean, you couldn’t just start. You’d have to work up to it, stretch out your stomach.”
She’s laughing now, the sound bubbling up bright and unrestrained, and it gives me purpose. Like, I’m meant to be the person who cheers Camila up.
“Okay, if not hot dogs, then you tell me what you like to do in your free time.”
“When I’m sad, I like to go on Instagram and leave comments on posts.”
I frown. “You’re a mean commenter?”
“No.” She laughs. “The opposite. I like to leave nice compliments on people’s posts. Tell them they look pretty or that I like their outfit. It makes me feel better.”
I can’t help my smile.
“I know I can’t make a job out of that, but?—”
“No, I was just thinking about how that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard and how it makes me fall even harder for you.” I shake my head. “You know I’m goner, right? I don’t stand a chance when it comes to you.”
