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“Mijo!” she exclaimed, beaming up at him. “It’s been weeks!” She fussed over him, picking imaginary pieces of lint off of his shirt.
“I know, Dalia,” he said. “All work, no play. No excuse, though. Forgive me?” He took her hand and placed it over his heart.
Dalia swatted his hand. “Oh, you scoundrel!” she exclaimed. “Can you believe him? Such a handsome one.” Dalia beamed up at Antony and squeezed his hands. At Lesley’s chuckle, she turned and smiled warmly. “I’m Dalia. And who are you?”
As Lesley tried to stand, Dalia placed one hand out, grasping her wrist and sliding down to grip her hand. “No, stay. It’s okay.”
Lesley sat back down. The strength radiating from the grip of this tiny woman was steel. “I’m Lesley. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m so glad you’re here, Lesley. I hope you enjoy my little place,” Dalia said. She turned back to Antony. “She’s lovely. It’s about time you brought someone here.”
Antony felt his face turn red. Shit. Called straight out by Dalia, who was now giggling at him. “Oh, mijo,” she said, patting his arm as she walked away. “Let me go check on your food.” Her laughter followed her.
Lesley was silent, smiling softly at him as he sat back down. He scrubbed his hand over his face and laughed. “That went well,” he said.
“Depending on how the food is, I might be honored,” she said.
“Mmhmm. You will be. Dalia runs one of those kitchens. There’re three stoves back there, and I bet there’s at least three huge pots of chile and beans bubbling away at any moment.”
“Is that why you don’t bring anyone here?” she asked. “Don’t want to share the secret of this place with the world?”
Antony reached out and caught her hand. “Never thought to bring anyone here,” he said quietly. “No shit. You’re the first.” He cleared his throat and grabbed the glass of water, drinking deeply to gain his equilibrium.
“Thank you for sharing this place with me, Antony.” She tilted her head to the side and looked at him, smiling.
The low lights of the room cast everything around Lesley’s face in shadow, while the candle on the table made her glow. The light from the flame danced around her face and sparked in her eyes, and the only thing Antony wanted more than to watch her was to sit next to her and feel her warmth.
A young man came up to the table with a tray and stand and quickly set to placing their dishes in front of them. He refilled their drinks and set down more salsa before vanishing.
Lesley looked down at the enormous bowl in front of her and looked up at Ant, eyes wide.
He laughed. “Of course. Dalia doesn’t let anyone leave hungry.”
“I guess so!” Lesley sprinkled some green onions over the top of her soup and then unwrapped the foil packet of flour tortillas, jerking her fingers back when the steam escaped. “Think I might wait a second.”
“So, Los Alamos,” Antony said, before taking a bit of his enchiladas.
“Yes. Dad worked at the lab when I was a kid and then retired to write. Mom teaches private art classes and spends a lot of time down in Santa Fe at one of the galleries she’s associated with. And well, you know Oli.”
“What’s your dad write?”
“Sci-Fi, of course.” Lesley blew on the spoonful of soup and sipped at it before taking the bite. “Oh Lord, this is good.”
“Told you. She’s amazing.” He grinned as she tucked in, tortilla in one hand and spoon in the other.
“You told me a little about your dad. What about the rest of your family?” Lesley asked. She watched as Antony’s face lit up.
“Mom teaches high school English. Her parents, my grandparents, sent her to university in Texas. That’s where she met my dad.” He smiled and Lesley noticed the edge of sadness in his eyes. “My sisters are Ginevra and Sofia. They’re five years younger—twins, like I mentioned. Ginnie’s up near Dallas, working as an architect with some firm. Sofie’s an archaeologist. Last time I talked with her, she was on her way to some site in Europe.”
Lesley frowned a little. “They were young when your father died.”
Antony nodded. “Family helped a lot. We spent summers in Italy—that’s where my mother grew up—and that helped take a lot of pressure off mom. It wasn’t easy for her, but hell, it was Seminole. Not like we could get in that much trouble, right?” he winked.
“You mentioned family in New Mexico,” Lesley said.
“Yep. Dad’s side has kept us close, too. Hell, I was there just a few weeks ago.”
“Oh?”
