“Did you catch anything?” Brett asked.
“No. And I’m glad we didn’t. Angel kept telling me that he was going to freak out if they hauled a shark onto the boat.”
Damien chuckled and shook his head. “I can just picture that.”
Angel, who had slipped out to check on dinner, came into the great room and rang a dinner bell—an actual small silver bell. “I hate to interrupt your story, mi amor, but everyone needs to get to the dining room so I can serve the first course within the next 10 minutes.”
“Oh my God.” Alyssa huffed, a hand on her forehead. “What next, Angel? An air horn?”
He scowled at her. “You’re so mouthy.”
She flipped him the bird as she passed him on her way out of the room, and Tommy burst out laughing. He missed the lovable banter between one another, the shared conversations, and the love that filled the room. He hung back and watched his friends head to the dining room, admiring the sight of the people he loved most in the world together in the same place again.
A conversation between Jimmy and Audra caught his attention.
“I don’t know why Angel and Jessi thought Tommy needed cheering up,” Jimmy told his wife. “That cat is on top of the world.”
“I know,” Audra replied. “If he was any more upbeat, they’d put him in a strait jacket and take him away.”
It wasn’t the remark about Tommy being happy that gave him pause, it was the comment that Angel and Jessi thought he needed cheering up. He didn’t understand why they told everyone that he was down.
“Hurry up.” Angel waved Tommy out of the room while checking his watch. “I have exactly eight minutes and 37 seconds to present the appetizers.”
“Why did you and Jessi tell them that I needed cheering up?” Tommy asked, as he walked out of the room with Angel.
“Oh.” Angel frowned. “Please don’t be mad. You looked so glum when we got back from London. We were worried. Obviously for nothing. We can all see that you’ve never been happier.”
Everyone took their places around the dinner table while Angel retreated to the kitchen. The kids, who they had to practically drag out of the studio, sat at the other end of the table next to Aunt Mary because they missed her so much.
“Who is this pretty girl?” Aunt Mary asked, referring to the giant stuffed bear taking up the chair next to Tessa.
“It’s Violet.” Tessa hugged the bear’s arm. “My daddy gave her to my mommy millions of years ago, and she lived in a box in the garage, so she’s really hungry.”
Aunt Mary laughed, and it was a beautiful sound, filled with pure joy. She was actually Mason’s great aunt, so she was more like a grandmother to these kids, and she doted on them constantly.
“She’s very beautiful.” Aunt Mary pet Violet’s purple fur.
“I love her.” Tessa hugged the bear’s arm again and this time gave her a kiss.
“I’m so glad you love her, baby.” Jessi beamed at her daughter. “I love her so much too.” Jessi looked at Tommy and her eyes glazed over. “Thank you again for digging her out of storage. I can’t believe that I haven’t thought about her in years.” Jessi rose to her feet. “I better check on Angel and see if he needs help.”
“If you could bring the tray on the counter in the butler’s pantry, that would be wonderful,” Angel said, entering the dining room carrying a large platter in each hand. He set down the first one in the center of the table. “Here we have bolitas de yuca—aged cheddar gently stuffed inside cassava, also known as yuca, and rolled into bite-size puffs, deep fried until perfectly crisp with a cilantro dipping sauce.” He placed the second tray next to the first. “Also, pastelitos de carne—delicious flakey puffed pastry filled with beef picadillo and brushed with simple syrup.”
As Jessi set down the last platter, Angel said, “And, everyone’s favorite, plátanos with kosher salt. Buen provecho! Enjoy!”
“Mmm,” Alyssa moaned as she bit into a round yuca bite. “I’m sorry for all the times I made fun of you, Angel. Your balls are delicious. Your culinary skills make up for all of your annoying habits.”
Angel brought his hand to his chest and sucked in a breath. “Thank you. That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Tommy couldn’t hold back his laughter. Those two had been giving each other a hard time since day one, but he knew they were exceptionally close. He didn’t know all of the details, since he didn’t know them back then, but from what Angel told him, both Angel and Alyssa played a big part in Damien’s sobriety. So, they shared a special bond.
Tommy’s eyes fell on the small bowl next to his plate with a rosette napkin and sprig of cilantro, and he saw that everyone had one. Angel must have made them after all. “Look at this,” he said, holding it up to show Jessi.
“They came out so pretty. Angel showed me how to make them right before everyone sat down.”
Tommy was shocked. “Are you serious? You made these? That quickly? He tried to teach me, but I was lost.”Maybe because I was lusting over our husband instead of paying attention to the instructions.
“I’m a designer, baby.” She smiled lovingly. “I make things a lot more complicated than a little flower out of a piece of cloth.”
