We arrive at the sandbar,and I practically jump off Tony’s lap like he’s on fire.
A girl can really get used to being held by that man, but I need to remind myself that he’s just being friendly. Because we’re just friends. Very new friends.
No matter how badly I secretly want more.
But nothing has changed. Although I don’t think Amelia would ostracize me for dating her brother, he’s still a man with no interest in a relationship that extends past a couple of rounds in bed. Trust me, I’ve kept tabs on the gossip throughout the years.
So I hurry to exit of the catamaran and let the nice captain help me jump down onto the sand. I look over my shoulder in time to see Tony scowling at where the captain’s hands rest on my waist. I ignore him and scurry over to an older lady who seems to be in charge of the food stand. She’s currently firing off a million commands in Spanish while simultaneously frying tostones. My mouth waters at the sight. Loud bachata music is playing, and there are a couple of teenage boys wiping down plastic tables while dancing. I lean over to get a better view of the food options, but before I can practice my limited Spanish, I sense Tony looming over me.
“Hola, buenos días, señora. Esto se ve muy rico. ¿Nos puedes preparar dos platos con un poco de todo?”
The older woman lights up at him, because of course. “Claro que sí mijo. Siéntate y te lo llevo a la mesa. Pregúnta por mí, Maria, si necesitas algo,” she says as she points at the empty tables.
He leans down and places his hand on my lower back to lead us toward one of the tables. “I told her that everything looks good, and if she could prepare us two plates with a bit of everything and—”
“And Maria told us to go sit and she’ll bring us the food. Yeah, I got all that.”
Both of his brows rise in surprise. “I didn’t know how much Spanish you understood.”
“I was born and raised in Miami, and I’ve spent almost every holiday for seven years with your Dominican family. Never underestimate me.” I flip my hair like the brat that I am.
He chuckles under his breath as he slides a wonky plastic chair out for me, dragging it across the sand. “Noted.”
I sit and immediately sink a few extra inches, thanks to the sand shifting beneath me. “You know you don’t have to pull a chair out for me every time, right?”
“I don’t have to, but I want to,” he says casually.
Just then, the teenage boys working for the food stand walk by us with trays overflowing with various drink options. I grab a rum and coke while Tony takes a Presidente beer. Seconds later, we’re bombarded by a group of older ladies who look identical to Maria. They flood our table with enough food to feed a football team. So, essentially, the perfect portion size for Tony.
“Yaniqueque, arroz con habichuelas, pica pollo, mangú, queso frito, salami—”
“Tony, breathe. I’ve never seen you almost have a heart attack over Dominican food.” I lean forward and grab a hold of his muscular forearm.
He shakes his head. “You don’t understand. I’m in the homeland now. Fucking finally!” And without another word, Tony is dead to the world as he devours every morsel of food on his plate, plus seconds.
To be fair, the food is absolutely divine.
We’ve been eating well at the resort, but this food feels like it was made with love and nostalgia.
I can’t stop giggling as I eat, because Tony won’t stop talking about the food he just inhaled. It’s like he wants to propose to it. He might even propose to Maria at this rate.
“¡Maria, te amo!” he yells over the music with his arms stretched toward the sky.
It’s quite the sight, and everyone around us chuckles at his reaction, but I couldn’t stop the mini swoon session my brain had when he saidte amo.
I clearly need to cool down.
I whip my sundress off and readjust myself to make sure I’m not flashing anyone.
Once I found this one-piece swimsuit in my new luggage, I knew I needed to wear it immediately. With all the lacy cutouts, it looks more like bridal lingerie than a swimsuit, and I can’t wait to send Amelia a picture of it.
I go to reach for a second drink and halt all movements the second I notice Tony’s eyes on me.
Had he not just eaten his own weight in food, I would have confused that look for hunger.
He groans like he’s in physical pain. “Nikki.”
“You give yourself indigestion or something?” I ask with my hands on my hips.
