“Yes, I can,” I said in English, smiling. “I know this was supposed to be a formal meeting, but this is a party. Would you care to join me for a no-boys-allowed drink?”
“Won't your father feel slighted by the exclusion?” Salome asked, eyes drifting to Stefan.
I glanced over my shoulder at Stefan. His hands were stuffed into his pockets and he regarded me with a proud expression. “Not at all. Please enjoy yourselves.”
In Spanish, Salome told Emmanuel and the rest of her group not to hover too closely and to behave. Then she gestured for me to lead the way.
Stefan went back to mingling with the rest of the guests at the party, but every once in a while, he would glance over at where Salome and I stood in front of one of the bars. Each member of Salome’s group paired up with Jamie, Louie, Dean, or Rourke. They were all strategically positioned where they could watch us from a distance. Jamie was paired with Emmanuel and they seemed to talk with ease. Louie and Rourke tried to talk to theirColombian compadres, but it looked forced. Dean didn’t even try.
Salome and I both ordered tequila as we briefly discussed how we—women—ended up in positions of power in a world primarily ruled by men. I was honest and told her that my father had raised me to be smarter than my male counterparts and that I'd hated every minute of it. That made her chuckle with understanding. She said that her father had been harder on her than her brother and it hadn't been until he'd handed over everything to her that she'd understood why. We really didn’t talk about business or drugs. As we ordered another drink, I realized that her main objective was to get to know me to better judge whether or not she wanted to continue doing business with us. I didn’t mind because I found that I really liked Salome. We were very similar, and it was easy to bond.
“So tell me, which one of these handsome Irishmen has caught your eye? I would have guessed that one,” she said, tilting her head in Jamie’s direction. “But the way that one…” She pointed to Louie, then pointed to Dean. “And that one look at you, I’m not so sure.”
I threw back the rest of my drink and grinned, not at all put off by her prying. Pointing to Jamie and Louie, Ianswered honestly, “I’m with that one and that one. The other is my best friend and part of my security.”
Salome laughed. “I knew there was a reason I liked you. Are you building yourself a harem?”
I shook my head and waved my empty glass at the bartender for another. “I can barely handle the two I already have. What about you?”
With her drink, she gestured to all four of the men she'd brought with her. “The five of us grew up together. I was the only girl in our group, and for the longest time, they just saw me as one of the boys. When I started developing a woman’s body, their perceptions changed, and they started fighting for my attention. I couldn’t choose because I loved them all.” She held a faraway look in her eyes, as if she were walking down memory lane. “It wasn’t easy to get where we are now, but we’ve been together for six years and have two beautiful children.”
I held my refilled glass up to her. “Congratulations.”
She beamed. “To women in power,” she said and clanked her glass with mine.
Soon after that, Emmanuel and Jamie approached us. “It’s time to leave, Salome.”
Salome pouted a little. “I have to fly back to Colombia tonight,” she said. “You were a pleasant surprise, Maura, and I would like to continue doing business.” She heldout her hand to Emmanuel and he handed over a small black clutch that I just noticed he was holding. Salome opened it and retrieved a business card. “Here is the best way to reach me directly if you ever need me. I’ll be in touch.”
I took her card and we said our goodbyes.
“Anything to report, daughter?” Stefan said, sneaking up behind me.
I spun to face him. “I like her.”
“I’ll take it you were able to patch things up?” he asked.
I arched a brow. “Did you doubt that I could?”
The corner of his mouth twitched just before he walked away.
A hand touched the small of my back and I looked up at Jamie. “Dance with me?” he asked.
I did my best not to grin like a loon but failed as he took my hand and guided me out onto the dance floor. He held me close as we swayed to the slow music. I rested my head on his shoulder, loving every moment. “We’ve never danced before.”
“Hmm.” He ran his hand up my spine to cup the back of my neck. “What else haven’t we done?”
I removed my head from his shoulder to gaze up at him. “Well, we haven’t gone on a date.”
“So what you’re saying is, I’ve been neglecting my duties as a boyfriend?” he asked with a grin full of affection.
“No, but it would be nice to have a night of fun just the two of us.”
“And what would we do on our date?”
I really thought about it. “A whole night away from the house. Take me somewhere I don’t have to dress up, like a burger or taco joint. Then I’ll want ice cream. If you want to go to a movie, that’s up to you, but I want to end the night in a fancy hotel room with a huge tub because I’m pretty sure I can convert you to a bubble bath man.”
He chuckled and gave me a quick kiss. “I’ll remember that.”
