Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
On Friday, Christmas Eve, Petey shut down the store.
Right about noon, Jimmy dragged his grumbling friend back to Creeks Crossing.
He refused to arrive at the Fuentes home for dinner empty-handed.
The liquor store in Oakwood had a shitty wine selection, and without a driver’s license, he couldn’t drive out of town and purchase wine.
He added another note to his growing list of things to do: getting a valid ID was a must.
The store was pretty big and had a decent selection.
“Do you know what you’re getting?” Petey asked at his side.
“Honestly, I’m not totally sure,” he replied. “But I’m leaning toward the reds. If I’m not wrong, red wines are big in the Spanish culture. Chile produces good wines.” He tipped up a price tag. “This one has a high Wine Spectator rating.”
“And a price to match,” Petey groused. “Why don’t we just buy a six-pack and be done with it? It’s cheaper.”
Jimmy laughed. “Sure is. But wouldn’t make much of an impression, would it?”
“Guess not.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve saved a few bucks.” He pulled two bottles from the rack. “Tips at the bar have been good.”
“Wow. You’re taking two? You’re real serious about impressing Evie’s parents.”
He didn’t reply to that. Two bottles of a decent wine barely touched the surface. He only wished he could do more.
“Let’s get in line.”
The line moved pretty fast until a customer two people ahead of him started bitching about a price, and the clerk summoned the manager to solve the kerfuffle.
As they waited, a prickly sensation struck him.
Jimmy glanced around. A couple of bruisers, dressed in jeans and leather jackets, stood by a holiday display of a popular vodka, their eyes focused on him.
Frowning, he stared toward the front of the store again.
The line moved a little. The guys moved as well.
The prickling feeling got worse. The line moved again.
He glanced to the side. The two had kept up with the line.
Finally, he paid and got his bag. “We need to hurry.” He dragged Petey by the arm.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ll explain on the way.”
As they climbed into the truck, Jimmy urged, “Hurry. Go, go, go.”
Petey, bless his heart, peeled out onto the road, while Jimmy viewed the parking area through the side mirror. The two guys ran out. Instead of chasing them, they stood watching until Petey turned onto the highway.
Fuck. They had Petey’s license plate. He didn’t like it, but he couldn’t do much about it.
“Wanna tell me, what’s up?”
Jimmy rubbed his temple. The headache from when he woke up without memory had begun to throb. Was that some kind of a warning sign?
“I don’t exactly know. There were two guys in the store, watching us.”
“What kind of guys?” Petey asked.
“Not the friendly kind. I’m sure of it.”
Petey glanced into the rearview mirror. “No one’s after us now.”
He sighed. “Maybe it was nothing.”
“Maybe so. We’ll keep our eyes open, just the same.”
Jimmy couldn’t help it. He was a nervous wreck. So much so, he asked Petey, “Would you knock?”
Petey grinned. “Shucks, boy. You’re as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
He groaned. Some of Petey’s sayings left him in the dust, but that one was appropriate. “Stop making fun of me.”
A smiling Evie opened the door. Her sparkling eyes warmed his soul. The Christmassy red dress she wore molded to her lovely curves and enhanced her glossy dark hair. Just like that, his nerves and all the craziness in the world poofed away.
“Come in, come in.” She kissed Petey’s withered cheek first and, without hesitation, kissed his. Her soft lips sent electric sparks all through him, and the spot on his skin burned. For as long as he lived, he’d never forget this moment.
Her effusive nature saved him. She wrapped one arm around Petey’s arm, another around his, and ushered them inside.
“Mami, Papi, our guests have arrived,” she announced.
By the time the initial introductions were made, he was his calm self again. The delicious aroma of roasted meats, garlic, and spices he wasn’t familiar with floated through the air. His stomach grumbled, ready for food.
Jimmy presented the wine to Urbano. He studied the label and glanced up at him. “Jimmy, this Clos Apalta is an excellent Chilean wine. How did you know?”
Feeling all eyes on him, he lifted a shoulder. “I did a little research, is all.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time. I’m decanting it before serving.”
“My turn with Jimmy,” Maritza said. “It’s a short tour.” She took him around, proudly showing off her modest, neat home. Although it wasn’t huge, the open floor plan made it seem more spacious. She whizzed past Evie’s bedroom, a gesture he thought was adorable and typical of a protective mom.
Back in the living room, Urbano turned on the CD player in his entertainment system. A mellow, nostalgic song filled the air. The scratchy sound quality indicated an old recording. Soon, a melodious masculine voice sang the lyrics.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Urbano said. “You’re listening to traditional Cuban music. I brought the recordings from Miami when we moved. I also mixed in soft jazz, not to bore you.”
“It’s not boring at all. I love it. I don’t understand the words, but the music is beautiful and very romantic. Reaches the soul.”
Well, he must have spoken the magic words, because throughout the delicious dinner and the rest of the evening, Urbano treated Jimmy like they were the best of pals.
Hours later, Petey made his way to a comfortable armchair and, in moments, fell asleep. Jimmy tried to ignore his friend, but once he started snoring, he knew the time to leave had come.
“I’d stay longer, but it’s way past Petey’s bedtime,” Jimmy explained. “I had so much fun. Your food is amazing. Thank you for having us. I don’t have a memory of past holidays, but I’ll remember this one as the best ever.”
“We loved having you,” Maritza said gently. “When we invite you again, I hope you’ll say yes.”
Excellent comment. He hadn’t made an ass of himself.
“I’d love to come back.”
Gently, he nudged Petey’s arm. “Wake up, my friend. We have to go home.” He nudged him again.
“Huh?”
Jimmy chuckled. “There he is. Come on. Time to go.”
“I’ll help you.” Evie held Petey’s free arm. Between the two of them, Petey stood.
“I’m up. I’m up,” he groused.
“The cold air will revive him,” Evie said.
“Put a jacket on, querida,” Mariza urged.
“I’ll only be a moment, Mami.”
Halfway down the path to the sidewalk, Petey shook himself free. Grumbling, he made it the rest of the way on his own. “Enough, children. I don’t need help. I’m wide awake now.”
Standing next to each other, they watched Petey climb into the truck.
The back of Evie’s hand brushed his. The sensation was soft, hot, and thrilling.
Waves of need and desire rippled through him.
A wild, ravenous hunger to touch, feel, and know the most intimate depths of her raged within him.
His heart couldn’t beat any faster. Anticipation throttled him.
He refused to move.
She did.
Evie faced him. Her dark eyes burned him to the core as she lifted her chin with parted lips.
A simple, wordless offering. A sweet invitation he couldn’t refuse.
He bent closer for the lightest touch. Their lips brushed, just barely through their anxious breaths, until she darted out the tip of her tongue…
and he devoured her mouth. She threw her arms around his neck.
He drew her against him, going deeper into her, swallowing more, more, more…
“Jimmy?” Petey’s question saved the moment.
“God,” he muttered, stepping back from her. “I lost it for a moment. I’m sorry.”
She glanced at him with gleaming eyes; a lovely flush covered her cheeks. “’S okay. I lost it too.”
“What will your parents think of me?”
“My parents remember being young.” She exhaled. “They still tease each other. I’ve seen them.”
“That’s a relief.” He touched her cheek. “Okay, sweetheart. I kept you out too long. It’s cold. Get back inside.”
“You’re right.” Rubbing her arms, she turned to head in.
“Evie.”
“Yes?”
“I’m not done kissing you.”
“I should hope not.” Giggling, she ran inside the house.