Alex smiled. Paco had loosened his grip but not released him entirely. “You look like… a bad idea.”
“That’s not the worst thing I’ve been called.” He laughed, squeezing Alex’s hand one more time. When he began squeezing his pecs together, it was Alex’s turn to laugh. “What? You like that? Touch, if you want.”
Alex accepted the invitation, mapping the solid contours of the man’s chest with his hand. He resisted brushing the guy’s nipple. “It’s too hot in here.”
“Man, tell me about it. You want to go someplace?”
Alex shook his head. “Look, I’m not really… I mean thank you. You’re very…” He squeezed Paco’s bicep for good measure.
“That’s me. Very. It pisses me off sometimes. Guys want thevery, but they don’t want to know the guy, you know?”
“I find that hard to believe,” Alex slurred, unsure why.
“You think hot guys have it so easy?”
“You think you’re hot?”
“I asked my question first.”
They grinned at each other, which was the moment Alex knew he’d be accepting Paco’s offer to walk him home. It wasn’t until Paco pulled him close and started kissing him a block from his building that he knew this wasn’t going to work. He was too tired. Too drunk, and no amount of liquor had eased his confusion over what the hell had transpired at Jago’s. He politely declined Paco’s offer to blow him in the next side street, exchanged one last sloppy kiss with the man, then continued on to his apartment alone. It wasn’t until he fished his keys from his pocket that he noticed his wallet was gone.
CHAPTER THREE
Alex pulled himself through the doors of Café No Mismo the next morning just in time to catch Victoria’s sharp look.
She rounded the counter and grabbed him by both arms. “I was worried! You don’t seem to be in bad shape, but my God!”
“Victoria, I’m sorry, I can explain.”
She offered him a blank stare before she continued. “No need. Your friend told me everything. These protests are getting out of hand—and I support them, but not when my staff get hurt. Are you sure you don’t need another day off? I’ll manage without you for a day or two.”
“My… my friend?”
“Short, tanned fellow. I think his name was Jacob, or Jago or something? He came down to tell me in person. It was strange, but sweet. Is he, umm…?”
“No,” Alex said quickly. True, this conversation must have taken place before Jago had cast him out with the fury of the Archangel Michael, but how had he known where to go or who to talk to? “We are just friends.” If that, he qualified in his head.
“Okay, fine. Take today off, at least. I know I’m fussing—”
“I can’t take time off. I got robbed last night.”
“I’m sorry… What?How?”
Alex rolled his eyes. “The kind of boy who’s a bad idea.”
“I see. Youarefeeling better then. Look, go home. I’ll pay you for today, just—"
“Victoria? I’m good, really. Reporting for duty.” He raised his hand in a mock salute, deliberately keeping his wrist limp.
“Please,” she answered. “The last thing we need in here is more uniforms. Have you eaten? If you’re going to work, you’re going to eat. Hold on.”
Thanking her, Alex sat at one of the tables in the corner. Café No Mismo served the best pan con tomate within four blocks of Plaza Mayor, and when Victoria returned with a plate of it, he savoured each bite, chasing it with the long espresso she’d brought alongside.
Monday’s quiet trickle of customers gave them a chance to start on the week’s prep, while No Mismo’s front window had one of the best views of the plaza. By one o’clock, he’d served barely a half-dozen customers. He skewered an olive and a spicy pepper to the last anchovy and set it on the platter while Victoria put the last touches on the new fixed price lunch.
“Beef cheek?” Alex asked.
“Try it. You’ll die.”
