It was only a matter of time before Papá would start dating again. Hopefully, he would find a good woman who was interested in him, not his money. The last thing Ramón wanted was for his father to become a sugar daddy. But he did want him to be happy. After his divorce, Papá deserved to find love again.
“Gotcha. Are you in the market for a trophy wife?” he said with a smirk on his face.
“Now Ramón. There is nothing wrong with taking time out for romance.”
“I’m teasing. I want you to be happy, Apá. Now let’s go buy this block.”
Ramón and his father walked into the building for the auction. Normally, these things were done online, but the owner had insisted on meeting the buyers and looking them in the eye. That requirement rattled Ramón. He wanted his offer to stand out because it was the best business decision. Would the owner choose a lower offer to preserve the current landscape of the community? Ramón hoped not.
Ramón scanned the room and checked out the other suits. He recognized most of them from similar commercial real estate ventures that he had done.
To them, this was just another deal. To Ramón and his father, owning a piece of Barrio Logan was essential to the future of their company. This location was up-and-coming and had historical significance.
The owner entered the room, which fell silent. He was around the same age as Papá, but he had laugh lines around his face and distinguished silver hair. Ramón couldn’t shake the thought that this man looked happier than Papá did.
After the owner shook everyone’s hands, he gave a speech about what the block meant to him and his family. How he hoped that whoever bought it would preserve the culture and the authenticity of the block. The man’s gaze lingered hopefully on Ramón and his father. They were the only Hispanic investors in the room. Surely the owner thought he could trust them.
But could he?
Each bid was submitted in an envelope, and the owner took them into his back office. Ramón exchanged a knowing glance with Papá.
Twenty minutes later, the man walked out of the room. He extended his hand toward Ramón.
“Congratulations, mi hijo.”
Yes! Pride radiated through his body. He had done it! All those early mornings he’d spent crunching numbers, all those sunset surf breaks he’d missed, all those nights of hard work... it had all been worth it.
Ramón hugged the man. “Gracias, Señor Gomez.”
“De nada, Ramón. I chose you because I believe you will do right by our people and invest in our community. It’s great to see a successful Mexican-American businessman. You remind me of myself when I was your age. I trust that you will maintain the integrity of our street.”
Dammit. Ramón’s throat itched. “I will make you and the residents proud,” Ramón lied. He hadn’t planned to mislead Señor Gomez but was caught up in the moment.
Señor Gomez placed a firm hand on Ramón’s shoulder. “Treat my tenants well.”
Ramón forced a smile. “I intend to.” He had to get out of here before Señor Gomez asked him detailed questions about his plans. Señor Gomez had to assume that they were putting a Taco King on the block—why else would they have bought it? Did he really think that Ramón had just spent eight million dollars as some sort of charity project? Señor Gomez was a businessman—he couldn’t possibly be that naive.
The other people in the room extended their congratulations to Ramón and his father.
Ramón and the now former owner exchanged some information about their lawyers, and then said their goodbyes.
Once they had exited the building, Papá hugged Ramón.
“We did it! I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks. Let’s go celebrate.”
Ramón opened the door to Las Pescas. The restaurant was packed with people.
“Table for two?” a hostess whose name tag read Rosa asked. “Right this way.”
Rosa seated them at a small table near the fireplace and handed them the menus. Ramón held her gaze for a second. Something about her reminded him of Juliet, but she looked younger. She had the same shade of brown eyes and a similar shape of mouth. But she had no tattoos on her arms. Ramón pushed Juliet out of his head.
This place was nice. Ramón loved all the Talavera tiles and pictures. They would be perfect for the Taco King’s flagship restaurant. He would buy them from the owner after he shut the restaurant down.
The waitress came out and took their orders—Carnitas Eggs Benedict with Chipotle Hollandaise for Ramón and Huevos Divorciados for Papá. The name of Papá’s order made Ramón laugh.
Arturo scanned the decor. “This place will make a great Taco King.”
