Manny stopped at his open door when he saw Romero still lying in bed. “What’s with you?”
“Nothing,”
“What do you mean nothing? You’ve been lying around a lot lately. You feeling okay?
Max stuck his head in the door. “You sick?”
“Nah, I’m fine.” Romero sat up. “Did you guys ever hear anything about Cici after she quit?”
“Who?” Manny asked.
“Cici, the waitress with the crazy boyfriend last year. She only worked at the bar for a couple of weeks?”
Max still looked lost but Manny frowned. “Oh, her. No, why?”
“Just wondering whatever happened to her.”
“Probably working at another bar. She was trouble. It was better that she quit.” Manny walked away from the door.
Max still appeared to be trying to figure out who they were talking about. “You don’t remember her, Max?” Romero didn’t understand his own sudden interest. It bothered him to no end to think she wouldn’t have had to live through that, if it hadn’t been for him.
“I think I do now.” His confused expression went hard. “If it’s the one I’m thinking, Manny’s right. Trouble—so stop wondering about her and get your ass outta bed. We’re going bowling and you’re coming with.”
Isabel
If it hadn’t been for Isabel’s insistence, Valerie might’ve taken her real estate license exam and dropped out of school. Valerie didn’t share Isabel’s enthusiasm for school. But in an act of friendship, and the selfish need to keep her new best friend around longer, she convinced her to stay and at least get her AA. Once Valerie had earned her degree, she was gone. Not wanting to get used to a brand new roommate, and knowing without Valerie there, things just wouldn’t be the same, Isabel decided to finish school while commuting from home.
Pat had transferred to a school out of state, making Isabel’s last two years of school easier. No one loved her decision to become a schoolteacher, least of all Pat, but her parents supported her decision. She knew her mom was secretly thrilled that Isabel had decided to follow in her footsteps.
“I just hope you’re not going to stop just because you get your credentials, Bell. If teaching is what you want to do,” Pat had said, with the roll of her eyes. “No offense to Mom, but you can at least take it a step further and teach at a university level.”
Unsure why she’d never been able to stand up to her oldest sister, Isabel actually agreed to consider it. Her sister had cheerfully made the announcement to everyone in the family. Ever since she’d started teaching full time, not only her sister but her father began asking her when she was going back to school. She was just getting used to her new role in life and they wanted her to squeeze in more school time?
Valerie moved out of her dad’s place months ago and had kept trying to convince Isabel to move in with her ever since. She was on the phone with her again on the way home from work. “Isabel, you promised when we were in school that we’d get our own place once we graduated. You can organize this place however you want. I’ll follow the rules, scout’s honor!”
The school district she worked for was actually closer to Valerie’s place than her parents’ house, and if she did go back to school, she would be much closer to the university also. The only reason she hadn’t agreed to it yet was because she was the last one home now. Pat married a highly decorated Navy Lieutenant Commander and moved out over a year ago. Her other siblings never bothered moving back into the nest after they left for school. Gina now lived in New York, while Art stayed in Los Angeles. Their dad was supposed to retire a few years ago but he kept putting it off. Isabel hated leaving her mom alone. But she had promised, and deep inside she really did feel it was time to get her own place.
“Okay?”
Valerie squealed, then laughed. “Is that a question or an answer?”
“It’s an answer,” Isabel smiled, beginning to feel the excitement of it. “I’ll tell my parents tonight.”
“Oh my God, this is going to be great!” Valerie gushed. “And Alex has his own place now too, so he won’t be over that much. He prefers we hang out at his place anyway.”
Isabel didn’t comment. Valerie and Alex still had their off and on roller coaster relationship. At the moment, it was on. But she knew it was just a matter of time before things went south again. Isabel didn’t understand why Valerie couldn’t just let go once and for all.
*
A few weeks later, she’d moved in and everything was put away exactly as she required things to be put away. Of course, Pat came by to put in her two cents about her new place. “Personally, I would’ve stayed with Mom and Dad until I saved up to buy my own place. But since you’re going back to school, maybe this is best for now.”
As usual, Isabel took the criticism with a nod and a smile.
The months passed, and Valerie kept her promise about not having Alex over too often, though Isabel didn’t mind having him around. He was pleasant enough, but he was clearly more comfortable having Valerie stay over at his place. Valerie spent so much time over there, Isabel began to wonder if maybe she’d move in with him. Then one night after he’d disappeared for almost a week, Valerie went to his place and confronted him.
Isabel had seen Valerie upset about Alex many times since meeting her, but this was by far the worst. After years of speculating and assuming she knew what he was doing when she wasn’t around, she caught him with another girl at his place. Valerie knew all along he kept the company of other women when she wasn’t around but seeing it for herself was devastating.
Even after Valerie cried for hours and probably the entire night—Isabel finally left her alone in her room—Isabel still assumed that within days or perhaps weeks this time, Valerie would get back with him. But it didn’t happen. She finally decided she’d had enough.
As hard as Isabel knew this must be for Valerie, they both agreed it was for the best.
Valerie hadn’t dated anyone in months, so Isabel felt a little guilty when Lawrence, a guy from a few doors down, asked her out. He was a little older and a professor at UCSD. It seemed ideal. Valerie was excited for her.
Pat, of course, found reasons not to like him. “Why is he still living in an apartment at his age? He can obviously afford a house.”
“He says he’s comfortable here and he says being a real estate owner does not define you as a person.”
“That,” her sister said with a sneer, “is lack of ambition. I hope he doesn’t put those kinds of thoughts in your head.”
Isabel couldn’t muster up the energy to argue. Maybe if she actually liked Lawrence, she would. She’d dealt with his kind before plenty of times: know-it-all, brainy guys. What she couldn’t get past was how boring he was. She was so sick of boring. From her first boyfriend to Lawrence and every guy she dated in between—boring. But then how did she expect to attract anything different? It’s not like she was Ms. Excitement. Just about anything she’d ever done in her life that was remotely exciting had been thanks to Valerie. She sighed. She was doomed to be with a boring guy. Just like her sister’s husband and she hated to say it, as much as she loved him, just like her dad.
CHAPTER 4
First impressions
“You’re kidding me with this shit, right?” Romero glared at Angel.
Angel didn’t even look at him. “Nope, it’s not happening.” He shot the basketball into the hoop.
Eric caught the rebound and bounced the ball. “Why what happened?”
“Nothing happened.” Angel held his hands up for Eric to throw him the ball. “I just don’t want a bachelor party. What’s the big deal?” He shot the ball again.
“The big deal is,” Romero grabbed the ball as it bounced off the rim. “we had this whole Vegas thing set up—an entire weekend, Angel. You can’t just rank out on us like that.”
Angel shrugged. “Well, I appreciate it, but cancel it. It’s not happening.”
“You’re fucking serious?”
&nbs
p; Angel laughed. “Yeah, I’m serious. You guys can still go if you want. Celebrate for me.”
Romero knew it had something to do with his fiancée, Sarah. Angel was so damn whipped it was a joke. She either told him not to have one or worse, threatened to have one of her own. Romero had been looking forward to this, too. He’d finally reached his goal of starting his own security firm. All the goals he’d set for himself in the last few years had finally come together. It was a little rocky at first but things had started taking off in the last couple of months. He’d just received his P.I. license, had two employees now, was already looking to hire more, and the money was finally rolling in. What better way to celebrate than partying his ass off in Vegas? Now Angel had pulled the rug out from under him. “We gotta do something for you, man. Even if we don’t go out of town we can do something around here.”
“Nah, I don’t want shit. We got all kinds of showers and other crap my parents are planning. I don’t need anything else.” Angel stopped to take a swig from his water bottle.
Romero shook his head as he watched Eric take another shot. “Damn shame. I’ll think of something.”
“Drop it, Romero. I don’t want anything. So let it go.”
Sarah, his fiancée had definitely pulled a fast one on him. There was no way he’d be this adamant about it. This was bullshit. He’d never understand how a girl could have such a hold on a guy. Romero stood there baffled about Angel’s refusal to give in.
***
“Let’s go over this again,” Isabel said, as Valerie glossed her lips, looking into the visor on the passenger side. “Remember, indifference is key. You’ve been over Alex now for a year. That’s proof enough you can live without him.”
Valerie nodded. They were on their way to Valerie’s cousin’s wedding shower. She was marrying Alex’s younger brother and Valerie was the maid of honor. This was a disaster. Valerie exceeded Isabel’s expectations this past year. She actually managed to stay away from him for that long. But now she had to be there for all the wedding events. And so would he.
“I got this, Isabel. I’m so over him. You’re being silly right now.”
Isabel took a deep breath. “Okay, I hope so, but if anything comes up, remember I’ll be right there for you.”
Valerie laughed. “I’ll be fine.”
They walked into the elaborate set up in Alex’s family’s backyard. Valerie had told her that their family was big on gatherings and parties, but this was outrageous. The entire backyard was transformed into this outdoor wedding heaven.
After saying hello to her cousin Sarah and her fiancé Angel, they made their way to the outdoor bar. Alex and few other guys were huddled there already. Valerie squeezed Isabel’s arm when Alex came into view. The jerk looked hotter than ever and Isabel had a bad feeling Valerie would be a goner.
“Be strong,” she whispered as they reached the bar area.
The guy pouring the shots behind the bar lifted a brow when he saw Valerie approach. “I’ll take one,” Valerie said.
God that was the worse thing she could do—get drunk. “Valerie no,” she warned, hoping Valerie would listen to reason.
“Who brought the narc?”
Isabel immediately turned to the idiot behind the bar, pouring the shots. “Pardon me?”
He did the stupidest show of bowing down with his hand over his head and then added in the most antagonistic voice. “Pardon me!”
Isabel’s face warmed in reaction, as the people around her chuckled. He poured a few more shots. “You in, Narc?” he asked, looking at her with a smartassy smirk.
“Easy Ramon,” Alex said.
“Yes, pour her one please,” Valerie, said.
Isabel’s jaw dropped, then remembered how hard it must be for Valerie to be here standing so close to the man she used to be hopelessly in love with.
Ramon pulled out another shot glass. “Coming right up.” He was your typical muscle head. Isabel expected no less from Alex’s friends. Though he wasn’t as big as Alex, she could see even under his dress shirt, he had enough muscle to call attention from most girls.
She ignored the shot in front of her for as long as she could, until he finally called her on it. “So… did I pour that for nothing?”
Valerie turned to her, then to Ramon. “Romero, this is my roommate, Isabel. Isabel, this is Romero.”
“I thought it was Ramon.”
His expression hardened. “It’s Romero.” He pushed the shot closer to her.
Isabel turned to Valerie, exasperated—the things she did for her. Grudgingly, she took the shot. Romero smiled as she grimaced, feeling the alcohol warm her throat.
“Want another one?”
“No.” Her voice was hoarse and he laughed.
“Is that your first shot ever, Narc?”
“My name is Isabel.”
He smirked. “Too long. But all right, is that your first shot, Izzy?”
It was better than Narc, and it wasn’t the first time she’d been called that, so she didn’t protest, staring at him as she sucked on a lime. “No, it’s not.”
His golden brown eyes seemed to sparkle in amusement as he poured more shots. The crowd that was there when they arrived had dispersed. Just Isabel and Valerie—who stood right behind her, talking to Alex—were the only ones still there, leaving Romero to scrutinize only her. She pushed her glasses up, trying not to stare at his impressive forearms as he poured the shots. “Take another one.”
Isabel stared at the shots in front of him—one for him—one for her. “I’m driving.” She lifted her chin.
“It’s early. You’ll be fine.” He took his shot and smiled at her.
She turned, hoping Valerie could get her out of this but both she and Alex were gone. Really? Already? After all they’d gone over on there way there? She hadn’t even noticed them walk away. Her shoulders slumped and she took the shot, immediately sucking on a lime. Romero grinned from ear to ear. “You see? And you were fighting it.”
“That’s my last one.” Her voice was a rasp. “I mean it.” She’d never understand why people enjoyed doing shots.
Romero set the bottle aside and leaned his elbows onto the bar. “So how come I’ve never met you? You and Valerie been friends long?”
Unlike most guys who tried being discreet, he did nothing to hide the fact he was taking her in, completely. She felt utterly invaded, the way his eyes went from her hair to her cleavage. They even spent some time on her hands. She tried hiding her unease with his bald-faced demeanor. “Years, we met in college.”
“College girl, uh? What are you doing now?”
Isabel still felt the burn in her throat from the two shots. “I’m a teacher. And you?”
She was used to limited eye contact when first meeting someone. Not Romero. He seemed to seek her eyes out, and then smile confidently. “I should’ve known.”
“What does that mean?” She’d heard this before. Even with her mom being a teacher, she knew most people’s image of a teacher—straight-laced, unattractive, mousy women, usually with a ridiculous bun in their hair.
“I’m just sayin’.”
“You’re saying what?” She lifted her eyebrow.
It was annoying the way every one of her statements or questions seemed to amuse him. “You look like a teacher.”
She felt herself warm inside. “And what exactly does a teacher look like?”
The corner of his mouth lifted as he blatantly looked her over again. “Sweet…and sexy, apparently.”
She felt the heat rush to her face and Romero smiled even bigger. “Did I embarrass you?”
“No,” she said too quickly. “You didn’t answer my question. What do you do?”
“I just started my own business this year.” He poured another shot and lifted it to her.
She shook her head. Not even one more. “What kind of business?”
He didn’t even bother with a lime after downing the shot he poured. “I’m in the security business.”
>
Of course. “Like a bodyguard?”
“Somethin’ like that.” Isabel studied his stubborn jaw and the way he’d smirk at everyone he glanced at, like he had some kind of inside joke going with each one. She wondered if she was the joke. Here was this tough looking bodyguard, or whatever he was having some fun with the nervous schoolteacher at the bar. She was glad now that Valerie had convinced her to wear her hair down. Well, half down. The front was still up in a barrette, but she let the back hang loose.
Angel came by looking for something behind the bar.
“What do you need?” Romero asked.
“Water.” He bent down still searching. “Didn’t you bring bottled waters out here?”
Romero shook his head. “I’m in charge of the booze, son. Fuck the water.”
Angel frowned, shaking his head. “Useless.”
“Take a shot, Angel. You need to relax.”
Angel barely glanced at him and stalked away.
“So you’re in charge of getting everyone drunk?” Isabel noticed ever since her last shot, Romero’s eyes kept making their way back to one place, especially when she spoke—her lips. It unnerved her. Had he no tact at all?
“Yep, you ready for another?” He reached for the bottle.
“No. I’m not having anymore.”
“Sure you will.”
He was so damn sure of himself. “No, I won’t.”