AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After we find a spot to park my car we’re walking hand-in-hand toward her apartment building. It’s nearly midnight and it’s quiet. As we approach her building, I hear footsteps behind us and turn to see where they’re coming from, but don’t see anyone.
“What’s the matter?” Sol asks.
“I thought I heard someone walking but there’s nobody there.” Sol squeezes my hand a little tighter.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Soledad
“Ugh, that steak I had last night still feels like a rock in my stomach,” Melida complains as she’s walking into the kitchen.
Last night after Melida landed, we went out for Cuban food. She was in the mood for Latin food and someone from her job recommended the restaurant. I checked it out online and it’s a trendy spot so I was hoping the food didn’t disappoint, which is often the case with trendy places. I tried to persuade her otherwise, but I was unsuccessful.
Dinner was mediocre, at best. The service was terrible, and our food came out barely hot. Let’s not forget we dropped a pretty penny for this meal, simply because we were on Ocean Drive in South Beach. I knew it would be this way but didn’t want to ruin Melida’s plans. It’s her birthday weekend so what Melida wants, Melida gets. Thankfully dinner went by quickly, or so it seemed to me because I spent most of the time telling her about Amaury and our relationship.
“I hate to say it, but I told you so.” She grimaces at my words.
“Yeah, yeah. I should’ve listened to you. Now I know better.” Her eyes roll.
“Touristy spots are usually not good, you know that.” I pull two mugs out of the cabinet and place them on the countertop. “Honestly, I’m surprised you chose that place. Trendy spots are not your usual vibe.”
“A colleague told me about it, was raving how good it was.” Melida works at Gemelli’s Liquor Distillery as the Director of Regional Sales for the Wine Division, one of the biggest wholesale liquor distilleries in Boston. When she was in college, she started waiting tables at a wine bar and restaurant and loved learning about wine. So much so she got a job selling it. She’s always raving about her job and jokes about being a professional wine taster. “When I get home, I’m gonna tell him he owes me one because it sucked.” She grimaces.
“Do you want me to call Amaury and cancel our plans for today?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No way. I haven’t ridden a jet ski in years and am wicked excited about it.”
Last week when I told Amaury Melida would be in town this weekend, he offered to take us jet skiing. When I asked him if he knew someone with jet skis, he told me he’d take care of everything. Of course, I jumped on the opportunity, especially since I’ve never been jet skiing. When I mentioned it to Melida, she squealed in excitement.
“You sure? If you don’t feel well, we can go tomorrow instead.”
“Yeah, I’ll take some Alka-Seltzer and will be good as new.”
“Whoa, this is a nice house,” Melida says as I pull into Amaury’s driveway next to his Tahoe. Hitched onto the back of his SUV is a trailer with two jet skis. I didn’t realize when he told me he’d handle it all he’d be the one bringing the jet skis. A smile creeps in at the thought of how generous he is.
“It totally is.” I remember the first time I came over I was a little taken aback. Didn’t expect him to live here, although I don’t know why. I assumed as a single guy he’d live in an apartment somewhere, not a large home in this beautiful neighborhood. “And he lives by himself in this big house.”
“Maybe you’ll change that soon,” she teases. “Let’s go.” Melida opens the door and then the trunk to grab her bag.
Before getting out of the driver’s seat, I shoot Amaury a text letting him know we’re outside.
Amaury emerges from the front door and is waiting for us as we stroll toward him, his face freshly shaven. When he shaves, he looks younger, his golden skin glows. He’s wearing shorts and a snug black tank, his firm biceps on display.
“Mel, this is Amaury. Amaury, this is Melida.” He leans in and kisses her on the cheek.
“Good to see you again, Melida,” he says, then wraps his arms around my waist pulling me flush to his torso, kissing me.
“I missed you,” he tells me.
“Me too,” I respond.
As we’re following Amaury into the house, Mel leans into me and whispers, “Fuck me with that accent. Rawwwwrr.” She giggles.
“Girl, don’t even get me started.” I squeeze her hand and she reciprocates.
When we arrive to the Florida Room, Eduardo glances up from the cooler in front of him on the kitchen counter. “Hola, chicas,” he says. I didn’t realize he would be here, Amaury said nothing about him joining us.
“Hi, Eduardo,” I say, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. “This is Melida, my best friend.”
