"Not particularly." She started to speak to the vendor in Spanish, and he waited until she was finished.
"May I ask you a favor?"
Tucking the package into her tote, she slid him a glance as they continued on their way.
"Depends on the favor."
"At least get to know me before you start lumping me in with the rest."
She studied him for a minute as the crowd eddied around them.
"Fair enough." She glanced at her watch, surprised to see that she had been away from the palace for almost four hours and it was getting cloudy. "Now I really have to go."
He accompanied her to her vehicle where he stowed her things on the back seat.
"Is it too soon to ask for a second meeting?"
Sliding behind the wheel, she looked at him. "I have your number."
"You do," he murmured lightly, trying not to show his disappointment. "I enjoyed the date."
"It's not a date."
"I prefer to think of it as one."
"As you wish." She fired up the engine. "I will call. Thanks for a lovely time, Luther."
"My pleasure." Straightening, he stepped back and watched as she drove off with a wave.
He stood there for a moment, staring at the taillights and just grinned. He was going to keep on asking until she simply said yes. Shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants, he started whistling as he strolled toward his vehicle.
*****
The ceremonial red carpet had never been laid out for him. He was always amused at the significance or lack of ceremony whenever he stepped foot inside the prestigious Elite Club. He was certainly not the only royalty member; there were a few others as well. He was from a long line of men who had walked the lofty halls of the club. He recalled his father discussing the fact that times had changed and he was not certain he was up for those changes.
"Now they are allowing anyone who can afford to pay the exorbitant membership fee." The disgust had been evident in his voice. "Nonentity rubbing shoulders with people of blue blood. It's appalling." But then again, his father, King Eduardo Garcia-Perez, was known for his biases and had made no apologies for it. He had not been well liked among his peers, which was not in the least bit surprising. But Tomas had no such hang-ups. His father had stopped attending functions at the club when it had started to be overrun by what he called 'the minorities,' and had been horrified when members started marrying women of color.
He had just settled himself in the ivory booth when someone joined him.
"If it isn't the prince himself."
Leaning back, he studied the man sliding across from him.
"If it isn't CeeCee."
Christos Costas grimaced at the hated nickname. "Don't make me start calling you PT." He grinned at the pained look on his friend's face. "Don't dish if you can't take it. Why the hell aren't you at the lofty palace of yours?"
"Because I'm here. Why are you here? Aren't you a fairly newlywed with triplets?"
Christos' smile was wide. "My wife let me off the hook. There's a tournament here tomorrow that I will be taking part in. What's your excuse?"
"I'm on my way back from Italy." Tomas took a sip of the malt and looked around the room. He had chosen this particular one to avoid the crowd because he wanted to be alone for a little bit. "How's the marriage?"
"Still in the honeymoon stage. Leanne keeps me on my feet." He shook his head. "She's feisty and unpredictable and does not put up with any crap. I love her to death."
"You sound like a lovesick moron."
"And proud of it." Christos did not take offense. "You should try it."
