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“I see my timing is impeccable.”
I can’t hear Sophia’s response, but I’m guessing she said something funny because I hear boisterous laughter.
I finish washing and drying my hands.
Sophia asks, “Where’s Gemma?”
“She’s not feeling too great. She sends her apologies. But she’s hoping I can convince you to come down and visit her in L.A.”
“Rafael,” I say, holding my arms open as I enter the foyer, “so good to see you.”
There’s a man beside him I recognize. I’ve seen him before on the street in front of our business.
“And this is Enrique. He’s a good friend. Good man.” Rafael claps Enrique on the back. “I needed him to meet you, as he’s going to be working with you.”
“Nice to meet you.” I extend my arm. He hesitates, glancing between me and Rafael.
“He washed it,” Rafael says.
“Oh, my god,” Sophia says, placing a hand over face. Her cheeks blush a bright shade of pink I’ve never seen before.
Rafael, Enrique, and I chuckle.
“Don’t worry, Sophia. You’re newlyweds. When the husband comes home early, this is a good thing to do.”
She just shakes her head, looking completely adorable. I tug her to me and cup her ass with my palm as my lips smack against her juicy ones.
“Ah,” she complains, but she’s wearing a bright smile that shows off her pearly white teeth and lets us all know she’s joking. “Now you’ve got gloss all over you.” She puckers her lips, and her teasing look earns her butt another firm squeeze. She sidles against me, much the way Gemma always did with Rafael, and asks the men, “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Thank you, Sophia. Ah, maybe water? We can’t stay long. I’ve got a meeting to get to.”
“Enrique?” she asks.
“Water would be great. And, ah, do you have a restroom?”
“Certainly. Right down that hall and to your left.”
I lead Rafael outside onto the back patio. It’s a perfect seventy-two degrees outside, and the view from the back is impressive. There’s a slight breeze, and a potted palm flutters.
“So, what’s wrong with Gemma?” I ask as we select seats facing across the valley to the ocean. Along the horizon, specks of white dot a navy canvas.
“She thinks she had some bad sushi. She’s disappointed she couldn’t come today. I’m hoping she’ll be okay to make it back to LA this afternoon.” He grimaces, and I get the feeling he’s remembering her back at the hotel. “She is really hoping I can convince Sophia to visit her in LA. I’ve got meetings, and she gets bored on her own.”
“I’m sure Sophia will jump at the chance to visit.”
He grows serious and glances over his shoulder, as if checking for someone. “Things…I don’t know…Do you follow the news in Colombia?”
“Not really,” I lie.
“It’s fractious right now. People…” He holds up his fists and acts like he’s slamming them together. “There’s…how do you say…collateral damage. If she comes to LA, I don’t want to scare your Sophia, but I’ll have security with Gemma. I don’t worry as much up here, but LA, San Diego…I worry more. There are those who might recognize Gemma.”
Sophia slides the glass door open with her elbow, and I jump up to help her. She’s carrying three glasses of water with cucumber slices in them.
“Are you hungry at all?” she asks Rafael. He barely looks her way.
“Why don’t you bring out the charcuterie you prepared?” I suggest.
“I’m really not—” Rafael begins.
