AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Of course we do,” he replied formally. “You don’t want to date cops, and with good reason.”
“With a very good reason,” she repeated emphatically.
The waitress delivered their drinks and brought a plate with two tacos, or what Carla assumed were tacos. She’d noticed that a sign outside the lounge stated that anyone buying a drink between four and five would receive a free taco. But this fried corn tortilla that had been filled with meat and rolled didn’t resemble anything she’d call a taco. No lettuce, no cheese, no tomato.
One nibble confirmed that it didn’t taste anything like a taco, either. “What’s in this?”
Philip eyed her doubtfully. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Of course I do.”
He shrugged. “Turtle.”
Carla closed her eyes and swallowed. “Turtle,” she repeated. “It tastes more like week-old tuna fish to me.”
“You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to.”
She set it back on the plate. “It’s something to tell my friends about, but it’s nothing I’d recommend.”
“It’ll grow on you,” Philip commented.
“I certainly hope not,” Carla said with a grimace. “Have you ever examined the skin on those things?”
Suddenly they were both laughing as if she’d said the most uproariously funny thing in the world. “Come on.” His hand reached for hers. “Let’s get out of here before they throw us out.” He laid several bills beside their uneaten turtle tacos. They finished their drinks and together they left hand in hand, practically running out of the cocktail lounge.
Not until they were in a golf cart/taxi did Carla ask where they were headed.
“Señor Frog’s,” Philip shouted, the wind whipping his voice past her.
“No.” She waved her hand dramatically. “Not if they serve what I think they do.”
“Not to worry.” Philip placed an arm around her shoulders and spoke close to her ear. “This is a famous tourist trap. The food’s good, but the place is wild. You’ll love it.”
And just as he’d promised, Carla did love it. After almost an hour’s delay, they were ushered through the restaurant doors only to be led to a cocktail lounge. The music and boisterous singing were so loud that Carla couldn’t hear herself speak when she leaned over to ask Philip something. He bent closer but finally gestured that they’d have to talk afterward outside.
—
Two hours later, well fed and singing softly, Carla and Philip left the restaurant with their arms wrapped around each other.
“That was wild.”
“I knew you’d like it,” Philip said, smiling tenderly at her.
“But there’s a method to your madness.”
“How’s that?”
“With all the noise, you weren’t able to tell me about Miss September.”
“All right, if you must know.”
“I must,” she replied firmly. “I hope you realize I baked in the hot sun while I waited to see how you did. Honestly, Philip, your approach could have been a little more original.”
The look he gave told her that he was offended. “I thought my technique was one of a kind.”
Carla looked at the darkening sky and rolled her eyes but refrained from comment. “I’m surprised that you didn’t go up to her and ask if you’d met someplace before.”
Philip shifted his weight onto the other foot. “To be honest, that occurred to me, too.”
