Not then, and definitely not now. Not after what he’d done.
Mind preoccupied with thoughts of Carlos, Carmen entered her best friend, Natalie’s, two-bedroom apartment. Cherry-wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and modern furniture adorned the interior, all located in a trendy urban community that included shopping, dining, and entertainment within walking distance. The back windows of Natalie’s apartment overlooked the highway and the Atlanta skyline. From here, she could hop in her car and arrive to just about anywhere in the city within minutes.
It was the perfect spot for Carmen to stay while visiting, and Natalie had welcomed her into the guest bedroom on the first floor, which had remained virtually unused since she moved in.
She found Natalie watching television in the living room, which overlooked streets currently low on pedestrian traffic.
“Hey,” Natalie said, not looking up from the court show that held her attention. She lifted a hand in greeting.
Natalie was a full-figured woman with long Senegalese twists adorned with gold cuffs pulled over one shoulder. As an event coordinator specializing in night-time events, she was usually home during the day and gone at night.
“I saw Carlos today.” Carmen dropped into the chair catty-corner to the sofa where Natalie sat.
Her friend swung her head in Carmen’s direction. “Excuse me? Are you talking about the Carlos Hortado, the love of your life, the man who left Canada and you haven’t heard from him since?”
Carmen nodded, gnawing the side of her bottom lip.
Natalie muted the television. Holding one leg under her, she turned her body in Carmen’s direction and gave her full attention. “When and where did you see him? I need details.”
“I saw him after I left the gym a little while ago. He lives in Atlanta and has a place in Inman Park.”
“Are you two going to meet up again?”
Carmen shrugged and tugged at the hem of her shorts. “I doubt it. I gave him my phone number, but I don’t think he’s going to call.” She felt foolish now. What had she been thinking?
“What makes you say that?”
“Just the vibe he gave off. He wasn’t… enthusiastic to see me.” It was embarrassing to admit, but she could share that information with Natalie, who knew her better than anyone else.
Natalie had visited the States after she graduated from university and liked Atlanta so much, she stayed. They remained best friends through the years, and Natalie knew all about Carmen’s break-up with Carlos.
Her friend sent a sympathetic gaze her way. “I’m sorry, girl.”
Deflated, Carmen sighed. “In the three years since we split, I didn’t imagine that when we met again, it would go this way. I guess I’m just foolish and romantic and thought that he would sweep me into his arms and tell me how much he regretted leaving me behind.” She let out a dry laugh and swallowed down the hurt. “But that didn’t happen, obviously. I don’t think he missed me at all,” she finished in a soft, pained voice.
“Don’t do that,” Natalie said fiercely. “Don’t do that thing where you torture yourself about how he feels. What you guys had was beautiful, but it was three years ago, and unless he tells you differently, I believe that he loved you.”
“Then why did he leave?”
“Because he needed a new start. Because he couldn’t deal with your father anymore. You want to lay the blame somewhere, look at your daddy.”
Carmen shifted uncomfortably in the chair. Natalie was partially correct, but Carlos had to bear some of the responsibility. He didn’t listen when she told him she would go with him, and he just…left her.
“I don’t want to talk about him because it’s going to make me upset. Tell me about this event that you’re putting on.”
Natalie’s face lit up. She lost her job a little over a year ago and now worked as a freelance event planner, organizing lavish parties and events for individuals or families, but lately she’d ventured into corporate planning and had agreed to put together an artistic event for a non-profit. She chose an inexpensive venue from a company that wanted to make better use of its buildings around the city, thus resulting in a convenient marriage between both entities.
The event would take place in an old warehouse and include music, art, and plenty of food. Right now, Natalie considered corporate event planning a side gig, but if it worked out, she intended to target more of her advertising toward businesses, particularly small firms, because she earned two and three times what she earned with individual customers. Which meant her father would no longer have to subsidize her living expenses.
“Tickets have been sold, food has been ordered, and guess what?” Natalie asked.
“What?”
“We sold out! All the tickets are gone!” Natalie squealed, throwing up her hands.
Carmen let out an equally loud squeal of happiness and jumped up from the chair. She gave her friend a big hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I know, I know. Isn’t that crazy?”
Carmen sank onto the sofa. “It’s not crazy because I knew you could do it.”
Natalie took her hand and squeezed. “Thank you for encouraging me to step out on faith. And I know you’ll be just as successful working on these new locations for your father.”
Carmen shrugged, pretending she wasn’t that concerned, but she was terrified of failure. At one point in time, she had told her father she was not interested in the business. She had fully intended to walk away from her family to be with Carlos. Since then, she’d done a complete one-eighty, and though her father had welcomed her into the corporate offices, he had reservations. Because of her previous lack of interest, he doubted her dedication and desire to stick around and work in the company.
“We’ll see what happens. Until then, I know what I’ll be doing in two weeks.”
Natalie grinned, unable to repress her excitement. “You will be attending the first Chocolate Art Affair by Natalie Crimson.” She threw up her hands. “Heyyyy,” she sang, gyrating in the seat.
Carmen laughed and started dancing on the sofa, too, genuinely excited for her friend. No one was more deserving of success than Natalie, and she gladly went along for the ride.
Later, Carmen went into her room to get some work done and removed her phone from her purse. She checked the screen and saw she had one missed voicemail from her sister and a text from a friend.
Two hours later, and still nothing from Carlos. Had she taken his number, she would have called immediately to set up a time to meet up again. But that was the difference between them that she’d always been loath to acknowledge.
Ever since the beginning, she’d known that she’d loved him way more than he loved her.
3
Carlos handed over his ticket and walked into the packed venue.
Initially, he hadn’t planned on attending the Chocolate Art Affair, but the event had received quite a bit of buzz in the art community, and his agent had encouraged him to go. More of these events were popping up to promote art, where attendees were not only fed, but entertained while being exposed to different art mediums. He considered tonight an opportunity to information gather and see if he wanted to participate in similar ones in the future.