Free Desperation of Love by Alice Montalvo-Tribue Page A

while to catch on to what a blessing he is, but this baby is a miracle. I can’t wait to meet him or her.”
    “I can’t either,” I say softly. Having witnessed, firsthand, the worst part of Elle’s life, the abusive relationship, the loss of a baby, and the loneliness and regret that came afterwards, I can’t help but to tear up at her confession. Happiness for her has been a long time coming.
    For the next fifteen minutes, I catch up with my best friend. I love hearing her talk about her life, decorating the new house, working on a nursery, and how her and Victor are placing bets on the sex of the baby. She seems like such a different person now, loving, open and happy. I was afraid that it would never happen for her, but every time I see her like this, I just want to kiss a certain retired Latin singer.
    Our food arrives and the conversation slows down a bit. I tell Elle about work and how well it’s going and she tells me about all the plans she has for the new recording studio.
    “Can I ask you something?” she says after a while. I can hear the hesitation in her voice. It causes me to go on high alert.
    “You can ask me anything you want,” I reply, stabbing a piece of pasta with my fork and never making eye contact.
    “Is there something going on between you and Alex? Victor thinks I’m reading too much into things, but I can’t help but think that maybe you’re not telling me something.”
    I purse my lips together and shake my head. “Why would you think that?”
    “I know that you two have always been kind of chummy, but then I saw you together at the studio and that whole little showdown with Victor. It was just strange, Jordan.”
    “Alex and I are friends, Elle. That’s it. We’ve always enjoyed each other’s company. When we ran into each other that morning, he asked me to come see the studio, end of story. I know I was way out of line with Victor, and I’m sorry for what I said, but I’d hardly call it a showdown. It’s just that, as Alex’s friend, I see how people tend to take advantage of him.”
    “That’s not Victor.”
    Wow I never thought I’d see the day that Elle would jump to defend a man … against me! I know that’s what she should be doing, he’s her husband, but it still stings a little. “I know that. I know that Victor would never intentionally use Alex. I should have just kept my mouth shut.”
    “No,” she says, grabbing my hand. “I think it’s nice that you took his back. He needs friends around him. I just … oh God, please don’t take this the wrong way because you know how much I love you, but you and Alex would just be such a bad idea.”
    I can’t help but flinch at her words. It feels like a slap in the face. I guess I always knew that she would feel this way about the possibility of me and Alex, but to actually hear the words hurt. “I get it.”
    “No. It’s not because I don’t think that you guys would make a great couple, I do, just under different circumstances.”
    I pull back my hand and grab my drink. “What are you saying, Elle? Just spit it out.”
    “Alex has been through a lot with his family, particularly with his mom and dad. I just want him to be happy and I know that you have an aversion to commitment. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m afraid you’d end up hurting him. I’m scared that he might try to get too close for your comfort level, and then you’ll break things off with him. It could get really awkward.”
    “I hear what you’re saying and you’re right. I would screw it up. But you don’t have to worry because there is nothing more than friendship between us.” I reply, suddenly very thankful that I’ve finished most of my meal, because my appetite is suddenly gone and I just want to go home.
     

     
    After our conversation, I couldn’t get out of there quick enough. I waited with Elle until Rob picked her up then I left. I shouldn’t let her words effect me so much. I know they were coming