“Wait, that was a cat? It looked more like a shaved ball sack!”
I can’t keep my laughter in and start giggling loudly, tears threatening to flow. “Pickles is a hairless cat. It’s what makes him cute. He’s my favorite.”
Shaking his head, Eli ponders what I just said. “You must be kidding me. I mean, I’ve never seen anything like it. But I was always more of a dog person anyway.”
Still laughing at his puzzled expression, I open the front door and see a car waiting for us outside. It still shocks me that he has enough money to have a driver—especially when that driver gets out and opens the door for us.
As I ponder what happens tonight, Eli surprises me and puts his hand on my knee. His touch brands me through my dress. The feeling of him this close reminds me that I still don’t know how to feel about him and all this. But I’m trying my best to give us a second chance.
* * *
I grin widely as the car arrives in front of a Mexican restaurant called Tres Besos. He must have remembered that I mentioned the fish tacos and frozen margaritas.
No wait, he mentioned that he was taking me to his favorite restaurant.
Before I have time to open my door, Eli is there helping me get out instead of his driver. His large hand feels good against mine. It is fantastic to be treated like a lady for once. My previous dates haven’t had many manners. Maybe that should have been a big red flag from the beginning.
Walking from the car to the restaurant, Eli tells me how he came here every week after moving to the city. ”I wanted to improve my high school Spanish. I thought that talking with natives would be my best choice. So, I became a regular at Tres Besos when I lived in Williamsburg. You’ll soon meet Maria and Santiago, the owners that took me in as one of their own. The delicious food was a bonus.”
Once we walk in, I hear someone calling his name while speaking in rapid Spanish. Turning around, I see a petite woman in her fifties wearing a colorful apron. She has sparkling brown eyes with laugh lines. You can tell how kind she is just by looking at her. Her hair is a beautiful shade of mahogany brown with some gray. The woman gives every motherly vibe out there.She embraces Eli with a heartwarming hug and pinches his cheek while saying something that makes him chuckle. Eli replies in the sexiest accent I have ever heard.
I feel my insides warm up, and the familiar tingling sensation spreads to my core.
How can this man get hotter and hotter every freaking day?
Eli introduces me to Maria, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Santiago. They moved to the States two and a half decades ago and raised their three children in the same neighborhood where the restaurant is. Their youngest son has just finished his senior year in high school, and now they’re excited to be empty nesters after the summer.
The restaurant itself isn’t that big. It has room for around thirty diners. There is Mexican art on the walls and candles on every table. The bright colors of the place remind me of Mexican sugar skulls made forDía de los Muertos.
Directing us to our small table, Maria tells us about the daily specials, and we agree to try them all. Eli promises me that I haven’t had anything this delicious in my life. I trust his judgment.
An older gentleman brings us classic margaritas a minute later, and Eli gets up and hugs the man. They exchange words in Spanish. Turning to me, Eli introduces us, “Rose, meet Santiago.”
I get up and greet Santiago. He takes me in his arms, muttering “Vaya, mírate. Estás preciosa.”I think he just called me lovely. That’s how far my Spanish skills go.
After Santiago leaves us alone, I sigh blissfully, taking a sip of my drink. The taste of tequila, lime, and orange liqueur together is just too perfect—it’s like a kiss in a cup. Well, more like an orgasm.
Looking over the table at Eli, I notice him watching my reactions intently. His face is unreadable, and it’s hard for me to tell what he’s thinking.
“What are you looking at, Eli?” I ask.
“Just enjoying my stunning dinner view.” He admits and takes hold of my hand before our food arrives. His simple touch and beautiful words make me feel calm and reassured.
Like I’m just where I should be.
* * *
After our main courses and more drinks arrive, we talk about Eli’s volunteering and philanthropy work. He plans to start a literacy program for underprivileged children here in the city. That makes me smile even more.
“It was always my dream to encourage kids to enjoy reading,” I comment on his plans.
“I remember. It was why I picked improving literacy as my main cause.”
“You did all that for me?”My insides are filled with sudden warmth. I can’t believe it.
“Yes, and I would do it all over again to see your smile right now. You should join me sometime. What happened to your dreams of becoming a teacher anyway?” he asks.
“I always planned to start my teaching training right after my senior year. Teaching elementary school children is something I still dream about. I feel like those children need someone who knows how to keep them out of trouble.” I take another sip of my cocktail. “Anyway, after what happened that summer, my anxiety makes it harder to be with people all the time. So teaching isn’t for me anymore.”
