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“All right, all right,” Sam said as the two volleyed playful insults back and forth. “That actually is a solid start. Is there any way we can borrow the chip from your phone while we’re pursuing this so that info matches as well? In that culture, it follows that you wouldn’
t disclose your source, so he can’t pursue that, but your online presence is strong and goes back years. That should be more than enough to convince him you’re legit if your phone number checks out too.”
“Absolutely.” Alejandro reached across his desk and reemerged on camera with a straw fedora. “I’m actually on vacation in Hawaii right now, so I can let any staff know to call me on my alternate number. Use it as long as you need to.”
“I’ll get Alex to text you the station address,” Sam said, her excitement building. “Any way you can drop that in the mail in the next couple of days?”
“Absolutely. The post offices are closed here at the moment, but I’ll do it personally first thing in the morning.”
“Alejandro.” Sam felt the tension across her forehead that had almost taken up residence start to ease. “I can’t tell you how much this helps us. Keep the details under your hat for now, and I’ll be in touch soon with any other details you may need as it progresses.”
“Sounds great. I see too much of this bullshit in the clubs, and it needs to be stopped. I’ll do whatever I can to help.” He grinned at his cousin and popped the fedora on his head. “I mean, I’ve got to do something to gain some traction on Dr. Suarez here.”
Sara turned around at the stove, and Sam looked at Alex in confusion.
???“What?” Alejandro leaned into the computer and looked at Alex as he realized what was happening. “You seriously didn’t tell them?”
“Tell us what?” Sara walked back over to the table, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. “Why do I feel like I missed something?”
“Oh!” Alejandro sat back in his chair and rubbed his hands together with a look of evil delight. “This is just so delicious!”
“Tell us what?” Sam bumped her shoulder to Alex’s, who was shaking her head with a look of annoyed resignation.
“I’ll put it this way.” Alejandro winked at his cousin, clearly enjoying drawing out the suspense. “One of us stayed in college.”
“Let me guess,” Sara said. “It wasn’t you?”
“Much to the annoyance of my mother, no.” Alejandro leaned back in his chair and laughed. “And guess what else I didn’t do?”
“Wow, look at the time. Got to go, cousin!” When Alex reached for the computer, Sara swiftly intercepted and swatted her hand away.
“Don’t even think about it. This is way too much fun.” She perched on Sam’s lap and leaned into the computer. “Go on, Alejandro. You were saying?”
“Thank you, Sara. You’re very kind.” Alejandro flashed her a smile. “I was going to say that one of us also went on to get a doctorate in childhood psychology and neuroscience.” He paused for effect, rolling his eyes. “Also not me, by the way. Apparently, I throw parties for a living.”
“Well, you kept that one under wraps.” Sara smiled in Alex’s direction and playfully punched her shoulder. “So just one more question.” Sara glanced at Alex, who by this time was shaking her head with a look of amused resignation. “Alex seems to be dating one of my best friends. Anything else I need to know?”
Alejandro paused, thought for a moment, then met Sara’s eyes. “I’d love to keep giving her shit here, but Alex is one of the most loving people I’ve ever known. I would, and I have more than once, put my life in her hands without a moment’s hesitation, so I’d say your friend’s heart is more than safe.”
“Thanks, Ale.” Alex’s face softened with emotion for just a moment, then she snapped back into teasing mode. “Now, let me know when you get back from Hawaii so I can come kick your ass for this.”
Sam and Sara waved good-bye and headed back into the kitchen as Alex wrapped up the conversation with her cousin. It was clear to Sara how close the two were; even though they were speaking in Spanish, the love was palpable as they signed off.
“So…” she said when Alex walked back into the kitchen and started juicing more limes. “Alejandro is my new favorite person.” She smacked Alex in the arm again as Alex held up her hand in surrender. “How the hell were you not going to tell us about that big brain?”
“What? And jeopardize my reputation as the prettyboi Latin dance instructor?”
“Oh, damn,” Sam said, sliding the bottle of Cachaça over to Alex. “That needs to go on a T-shirt with your picture on the back. I’m willing to bet about half the women at the retreat—”
“Including Charlotte, I hear.” Sara arched an eyebrow in Alex’s direction.
“…would just love to get their hands one of those.”
“Jesus Christ.” Alex laughed as she took the lid off the Cuban mojo pork roast and breathed in the steam from the savory yellow rice. “I have an idea. Let’s eat so that no one else can talk.”
* * *
The next morning, Sara pulled open the door of the diner and stood in the entryway for a few seconds, just to soak it in. Mara, who was one of the high school students that helped her open the restaurant five years ago, was behind the sky-blue Formica counter holding a coffee carafe, laughing with the group of senior citizens who came to lunch at the diner every day. She’d been promoted to the front-of-house manager as soon as she graduated, and now Sara didn’t know what she’d do without her.
