(PRESENT)
As an anniversary celebration, Mateo and Cameron had gone to a fancy restaurant. They ate like kings, sparing no expense. With full bellies and warm hearts, they began making their way home.
Mateo clung onto Cameron’s arm as they walked. “It feels like forever since we’ve had a proper date night.”
“No kidding,” Cameron said with a smile. “I’m glad we did this. You know, instead of just talking about it all the time.”
“You mean, instead of you talking about it all the time.” Mateo nudged his ribs, chuckling. “I’ve never met anyone so indecisive.”
“Not all of us can be as impulsive as you, Teo.”
“I guess that means we balance each other out, huh.” Mateo let go of Cameron’s arm, swinging around a nearby lamppost. “I do like our nights in, though.”
Cameron watched Mateo get dizzy, catching him when he stumbled away from the light. “So long as we’re together, I’m good.”
“Wow,” Mateo cackled with laughter, wiping at his eyes, “that was cheesy even for you.”
“Look who’s talking!” Cameron pouted, eyes narrowed.
Mateo continued to lean against him in the street. “We’re a fine pair of goofballs.”
“The second Rosa found out about us, she basically said the same thing.” Cameron grinned, remembering that once nerve-wracking day fondly. “Come on, we should-”
Out of the corner of his eye, Cameron saw someone familiar through the glass of a nearby diner. Frowning, he strode closer, leaving Mateo by the lamppost.
“Hey, wait up!”
Mateo rushed after him, skidding to a halt when Cameron suddenly stopped walking and used the wall as cover. Very confused, Mateo peered around Cameron, suddenly seeing what had caught his attention.
Two people sat at a table. The diner was almost empty, only one other person slumped against the bar counter. One of the people at the table had their back to the window. The other, however, was very visible and very familiar.
“Is that… Rosa?” Mateo squinted through the glass. “It kind of looks like her.”
“What is she doing here?” Cameron frowned, tugging on Mateo’s jacket so he moved away from the window. “And who is she with?”
“Not Yaz, that’s for sure.”
“I can’t see who she’s talking to.” Cameron peeked from his hiding place.
The conversation seemed slightly tense, even from here. Rosa’s expression said as much.
“Maybe you should ask her about it later,” Mateo suggested, glancing over his shoulder. “People are starting to look at us weird.”
“Oh, yeah…” Cameron straightened up, clearing his throat and trying to act casual, “that would be a good idea.”
As they walked away from the diner, Cameron’s mind whirred. Who was Rosa talking to this late in the evening? Normally, she would be at home. He was pretty sure she had an early shift tomorrow, too. It wasn’t like her.
“You don’t think…” Mateo paused, then shook his head, “no, that’s probably a silly thought.”
“What?”
Mateo shoved his hands in his pockets, letting out a sigh. “Could it have been her mum? Or yours?”
Cameron considered it. “She’d tell me if she knew who my mum was, especially if she met her.”
The other option, though, was possible. Cameron had never met Rosa’s mother. He hadn’t even seen a photo. Rosa barely remembered her, too young at the time. Their father had practically erased her mother’s existence from his life for… whatever reason.
“We could go back,” Mateo suggested. “Get some answers.”
“No, it’s okay.” Cameron shook his head. “If it’s important, she’ll tell me about it.”
He wanted to trust Rosa. She was about the only person he could trust unconditionally, other than Mateo and Yaz.
Mateo nodded, respecting Cameron’s choice. “I guess that person could have been anyone.”
“Yeah…”
Cameron tried to forget about what he’d seen for now. Maybe he’d ask Rosa about it. Not yet, but maybe soon.
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