Romero (11 page)

She looked up and took the bottled water Romero held out for her. He walked back to the kitchen. “Oh good, so you’re home. I wanted to stop by.”

Shoot.
“Well, I’m home now, but I was on my way out.”

“Uggh, never mind then. I just wanted to show you the gift I got Gina for her birthday. It’s a dress, but you know her taste better than I do so, I wanted to get your take on it.”

She took another slow drink to give herself a moment to think. “I dunno. I told you how she is. I figured it was the fastest way to get her off the phone.”

“Have you told
anyone
in your family?”

“Then enlighten me, Isabel. Because you’re on that fucking phone with them all the time. Telling them about your new boyfriend seems like something you might wanna share.”

“According to you ten seconds ago we aren’t exclusive.” His voice went up a notch and his nostrils flared. “Who were you with these last few days?”

“No one. I was home.”

His eyebrows pinched. “You said you were
busy
.”

He walked up to her and stood looking down into her eyes. “Look at me.” There was something desperate in his eyes now. “Do you wanna be with me?”

“Yes.”

“But you were slowing things down?” He searched her eyes. “I’ve been going fucking crazy wondering what you were so busy with? Can you just tell me why?”

“I wasn’t sure if this is what you wanted. I got scared.”

“Well, now you’re scaring me. I know what
I
want. I want
this
. To be with you and
only
you. What do you want?”

“I want this, too.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she said, putting her hands on his face. She’d never been so sure about anything in her life. She felt terrible now that she’d ever questioned it.

He put his hands over hers then kissed her. “You’re sure?”

“Absolutely,” she smiled. “I should’ve just asked, but I was afraid of coming off as one of
those
girls.”

“You are
nothing
like
any
girl I’ve ever met.”

He pulled away from her, the panic in his eyes now replaced with a trace of that humor she loved to see so much in them. “No, you really owe me. I want Albondigas.”

She felt like such a spineless coward. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

Isabel had forgotten all about the date her sister had set up with her husband’s friend.

Thankfully, Romero was booked that evening working. This wasn’t worth the interrogation she’d have to deal with from her sister if she refused. Her brother-in-law’s friend would only be in town for a few days. She could knock this out and get her sister off her back without having to get into it about Romero just yet.

She told Romero she was having dinner with her sister, leaving out who else would be there. He was so caught up in his business for the evening, he didn’t ask much else.

As expected, Michael, the
perfect
guy her sister set her up with, wasn’t that perfect. For starters, he had no sense of humor. Isabel never considered herself to be a funny girl, but for some reason Romero thought she was
fucking
hilarious. Michael’s humor paled in comparison to Romero’s. He didn’t think half the things she knew she and Romero would be laughing at were at all funny. Including the guy showing off on the dance floor, who twisted his ankle. Romero
so
would have laughed with her instead of giving her the appalled look Michael did when she sniggered.

He did seem interested in her, but she noticed the more he drank, the cockier and more flirtatious he became. She did her best to fend off any advances, and he’d made plenty. She was just glad it was over now.

When Michael asked for her number, she gave him the number to the landline in her apartment which was used mainly for Valerie’s faxes. She didn’t want her brother-in-law to be offended that she’d snubbed his friend, even though that’s what she wanted to do.

She texted Romero as soon as she got home.

You still working?

He responded immediately.

If I wasn’t I’d be there with you.

She was so tempted to tell him she loved him, but she knew that was the wine talking. Though she’d thought of him the entire night…

Goodnight baby.

Goodnight Izzy…dream of us.

She smiled, her heart completely taken.

Always
 

The next day Isabel met her mom and Pat for lunch. She’d already told them she couldn’t hang out and chat for too long like she normally did. Valerie was having a meltdown because they were going to a bonfire gathering as part of her cousins pre-wedding celebration. Alex had been working Valerie. He’d left her a heartfelt message that had her nearly in tears, then last night he met up with her and just about sealed the deal. He wanted her back bad. Today would be the test. Valerie either got past this or she’d be back on that rollercoaster ride with him. Isabel was meeting her after her lunch and they were driving there together.

“So?” Pat smiled as the waitress walked away.

Her mother waited, eyeing Isabel as well, making her uncomfortable. “What?”

“You know what.” Pat said, still smiling. “What did you think? Because Charles said, Michael really liked you. I mean
really
liked you.”

“I didn’t ask you to. Besides when I agreed to this, it was before I started seeing Romero. And I didn’t even know until just recently that—”

“Romero? That’s his name?”

Isabel pressed her lips together. She wouldn’t tolerate her sister putting him down in any way. “He goes by his last name. His name is Ramon.” She took a deep breath and chewed a spoonful of salad before speaking again. “So I can’t get involved with Michael… or anyone else. Not anymore.”

“I’m glad for you, honey.” Her mother touched her hand. “When do we get to meet Romero?”

Her sister obviously didn’t share the same enthusiasm. She’d all but stopped eating. Isabel pretended not to notice her glare. “Soon. I’ll have to plan something and I’ll let you know.”

To her surprise, her sister didn’t give her the inquisition she was expecting. Isabel figured it was the shock of it. As soon as she got over it, it was coming. There was no way Pat wouldn’t demand to know
everything
about Romero. Isabel was ready for it. Her feelings for Romero surpassed her fear of any disapproval from her family now. They’d just have to accept him for who he was.

***

They set their chairs around the unlit bonfire. Isabel got a text from Romero as she left her apartment saying he was running late but he’d be there. Once settled, Valerie poured her a wine cooler in a cup and handed it to her. They sat down facing the fire pit.

“So how did the date go last night?”

Angel and his sister’s boyfriend, and not to mention Romero’s other best friend, Eric, were just a few feet away, throwing wood in the pit. “Not here, I’ll tell you later.”

She and Valerie exchanged glances while Romero waited. His expression gave nothing away, so she had no way of knowing if he’d heard everything.

“Girl talk, Romero. Go help out,” Valerie said, gesturing toward Eric. “I’ve heard legendary stories of your fires.”

“All lies.” He turned to Isabel, leaning in for a kiss.

The kiss was so sweet Isabel knew he couldn’t have heard. She remembered the look on his face when he questioned her about who’d she been with the days she tried slowing things down. No way would he just let this go if he’d heard. He walked over to where the guys were and started helping with the wood.

“Oh. My. God,” Isabel said, taking a big swig of her wine.

Valerie giggled, but Isabel could see the look of remorse for having brought it up here. Isabel assured her if Romero had heard, he most definitely would have said something.

Alex arrived, and as the time passed, Isabel could see Valerie was giving in. After a walk to the ladies’ room, Valerie let her know she was going come clean with Alex about not having a boyfriend. When they got back from the restroom, Romero sat on the ice chest next to her chair and kissed her again. “I missed you last night.”

Feeling a slight pang of guilt, she smiled. “I missed you, too.”

“So where’d you and your sister go?”

Isabel glanced away from him to take a sip of her cooler, but mostly so she wouldn’t have to look him in the eye. “Blemberg’s, on the Marina.”

She glanced at him and his face soured. “I know, but it’s one of her favorites.”

“Figures.” She eyed him, lifting an eyebrow and he kissed her again, shrugging. “I’m just not into that fancy shit.”

She’d been right about Valerie. After disappearing with Alex for a long while, they came back holding hands. She sat down and leaned over to Isabel. “I’m going home with Alex.” She bit her bottom lip. “I’m doing the right thing, Isabel. I promise and I’ll explain why later. But we’re taking my car, so he can leave his with Sal. You’ll be okay going home with Romero?”

Isabel could see, not only in Valerie’s eyes but also in Alex’s earlier, something had changed. Valerie was smart. If she thought she was doing the right thing, then Isabel wouldn’t try talking her out of it. She squeezed her hand. “Yes, I’ll be fine. I’m happy for you.”

Since Valerie wouldn’t be home tonight, Isabel invited Romero back to her place. Not that Valerie would have a problem with him staying over. Isabel just felt a little weird about it still, especially since she’d been right. Romero was like no other man she’d ever been with and Valerie’s room was just across the hall.

Romero looked around her room. “Damn, Izzy, I knew you were neat but this is… ”

“What?” She’d never tire of his sexy smirks.

He sat down on her bed. His eyes went from her dresser to her nightstand and back to her. The moment she was close enough he pulled her to him and sat her on his lap. “Is there anything about you that’s not perfect?” he said, kissing the corner of her lips.

“Like I’d really tell you.” She wrapped her arm around his neck.

“I don’t think there is.” He turned her over gently then pinned her to the bed.

Isabel stared at him, her breath caught when she felt his hand in between her legs. He’d already made reference to her easy-access sundress at the beach. He kissed her as he pulled the sliver of panty aside and slipped a finger in. She kissed him deeper, instantly aroused. “You’re so ready,” he said against her lips.