He took a deep breath before heading in, his eyes glued to his phone, hoping Elissa hadn’t canceled.
“Ryan!” a voice called out from behind. He turned to see Celeste, Iz’s aunt. She folded him into a warm hug. “It’s so good to see you. What are you doing here?”
His mother had never been big on PDA, and her body was sharp angles. Celeste was round and soft, and only his Nonna had ever given better hugs. Now that she was gone, Iz’s aunt was the closest he had. He returned the hug.
Ryan made sure no one else was around and said in a low voice, “I’m meeting a date.”
Celeste lowered her own voice in a conspiratorial whisper. “Ooh. Do I know her?”
“You know the woman from a few weeks ago?”
“The one you stared at all night and gave a jump start?” At his nod, she continued with a mischievous grin. “Was it just her car you jumped?”
“Celeste!” He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. Iz’s family wasn’t shy about these things.
“I’m kidding. Does Iz know?”
“No, not yet, but I suspect that will change as soon as you get home.”
She tsked. “My lips are sealed, mijo, and I am insulted you think I would tell Iz about your secret date.”
Desperately, Ryan tried to change the subject. “What are you doing here?”
Celeste managed Nopalitos and rarely ventured to the other restaurants in the Ochoa brand.
“Manager here is new and needs help with some of the paperwork, so I volunteered.”
“You’re good people, Celeste.”
“Thanks, but someone’s gotta do it, and I’m the nicest.”
They walked into the small restaurant. Most people ordered take out, but some liked to sit and eat here. He scanned the room, from the order counter to the salsa bar to the handful of high-top tables and a few booths. His gaze halted on a figure sitting at a high-top. He’d been dreaming of those curves all week. Her brown hair hit the collar of her light blue Oxford shirt tucked into a pair of gray slacks. The roundness of her ass filled the bar stool perfectly, and her feet dangled, one shoe hanging off her toes. They were his favorites, painted with golden-brown butterflies.
“Looks like I’m late.” Ryan waved at the table and gave the older woman a half smile.
“You let me know if you need rescuing.” Celeste disappeared into the back with a wave.
Ryan strolled to the table and leaned in close enough to smell her powdery perfume.
“Is this seat taken?” he asked, his voice low and raspy. God, why did merely being in her presence do this to him?
Elissa jumped and turned to look at him. Delight soon replaced the alarm his stealthy approach had generated. Those blue eyes twinkled, and her perfect pink bow of a mouth curled into a generous smile, her white teeth flashing in the multicolored lights strung across the ceiling.
“Ryan! Hi!” She slipped her phone into her purse and seemed genuinely pleased to see him. He could get used to that.
“Hello, Elissa. Have you ordered?”
“Just water.”
“Let’s head to the counter.”
But as they approached, the server clearing a table turned around and squealed when she recognized him.
“Ryan!” Becca dropped the tray of trash on a table and threw herself at him.
He’d talked Iz’s dad into hiring their old friend from high school for a few shifts when she needed a second job. They’d dated a few times in high school but quickly realized they were better friends.
“Becs, how are you?”
