Thanks, Santi.
The waitress’s mouth dropped. “Oh, wow.”
“I was an idiot,” Jaime offered up.
The waitress pursed her lips. “I mean, what more could you want than Alma Garcia?”
Santi clapped him on the back. “I tell him this all the time.”
Time to change the subject. “I’ll have the New York steak, medium rare.”
She nodded. “And you?”
“I’ll have the cioppino.”
She tossed her hair, shot Jaime a dirty look, and left the table.
“Hear that? Everyone loves her.”
“Don’t start with me, Santi.”
“I’m playing.”
Jaime inhaled the drink. It was smooth—no aftertaste. But also, nothing exciting about it. No matter how hard he tried, he just had never been in love with tequila. This idea was so ridiculous, especially the part about using Alma to help him.
Maybe the thought of starting a tequila company was asinine. And Santi was right. He knew nothing about it. As annoyed as he was about all these non-Hispanics starting tequila companies, he himself had no business founding one either. Maybe he should start a craft beer line—at least he loved beer. If he was of Russian descent, would he be looking into vodka companies?
The truth was Jaime was chasing another one of his harebrained ideas.
Maybe Enrique was right—Jaime needed to look inward and figure out who he really was first.
At least the food was delicious. The steak was perfectly cooked and the view of city lights, the ferries in the bay, and the bridges in the background was awe-inspiring.
He clinked his glass with Santi’s. “Thanks, man, for just being here with me. Sorry, I’m such a fuckup. I wish I had it all together like you do.”
Santi put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “It’s just an illusion,bro. Sure, my business is booming, but I’m a workaholic. I have no work-life balance.”
“Sorry to hear that, man.” Sounded like his brother Ramón.Well, before he met Julieta. “I’m clearly not one to give advice, but Ramón was just like you. After he met Julieta, he changed. Maybe you will meet someone and want to stop working so hard.”
“Or maybe I won’t. Why? Did seeing Alma briefly make you want to find someone and start a relationship like Ramón did?”
“Absolutely not. Well, not now. Maybe one day.”
“I hear you. One day in the future.” Santi devoured a large shrimp and Jaime’s mouth watered. Though Jaime’s meal was excellent, he should’ve ordered the seafood.
“So, are you going to stick around for the month, or have you had a change of plans?”
Jaime shook his head. “No, man. No. I’m here for the month. I need a beat. And I promised you I’d do that charity event with you.”
“Thanks for that, man. I appreciate it.”
“No sweat. It will be a good time. How’s Leti, by the way?”
“Good. She’s on the high school cheerleading team, and she even has a boyfriend who is in her class.”
“You okay with that?”
“Of course. I just want her to be happy.” Santi paused. “Are you going to give up on trying to have anything to do with Alma?”
