When she popped a tender morsel into his mouth, Alex nearly did, moaning with pleasure. What he wouldn’t have given for a glass of Bobal to go with it.
“I told you. How are those gildas?”
“Slimy, and my hands smell like anchovy.”
Victoria plucked one from the platter and inhaled the combination in one bite. She tilted her head from side to side. “Hmm, we’ll get there.”
“Didn’t you come back from San Sebastián raving about these?” Alex asked, scrubbing his hands and signalling to a young lady customer he’d be with her shortly. They weren’t San Sebastián yet, but at least the police weren’t arresting them for propagating Basque cuisine. He sent the customer on her way with a cheerful smile, sandwich in hand.
“Well, hello again.”
Alex looked up to see who Victoria was talking to, a knot forming in his stomach as he spied Jago, who stood red-faced, shooting him small, embarrassed glances, even as he tried to return Victoria’s smile. “Hello. I’d like a vermouth, and do you have a blanco y negro?”
“Give me a few minutes.” Victoria shot Alex a conspiratorial look as she absconded to the back table, baguette and two types of sausage in hand. “Alex?”
“Got it,” he said, scooping ice into a glass and looking for the orange slices.
“How are you feeling?” Jago asked, his hands thrust deep into his pockets.
“Fine, thank you. Sweet or dry?”
“Dry. Alex?”
The two watched each other from beneath darkened brows, hesitant to speak as Alex poured.
“I only meant for you to get out of my room. Not the apartment.”
Alex slid the drink across the bar. “You sounded a bit more forceful than that.”
“You gave me a shock. I’m sorry, it’s not an excuse for shouting at you like that. I…” Jago shot a nervous look toward Victoria as she piled the bread high with red and black meat. “I didn’t know what you’d think.”
“Think about what?”
“Some people think it’s a creepy hobby.”
Alex shook his head, none the wiser. “What is?”
“Taxidermy. Stuffing animals. Birds, mostly.”
“That’swhat you were doing? That’s your big secret?”
Jago smiled shyly, lifting the drink to his lips. “So now you know. And now you think I’m like Norman Bates inPsycho, right?”
“Not unless you’re planning to don old woman drag and corner me with a knife in the shower.”
“Gee, thanks for spoiling!” Victoria chirped, returning with a thick blanco y negro stuffed with sausage. “That’ll be—”
“On the house.” Alex turned quickly to Victoria. “It’s the least I can do, for yesterday. I mean, before… you know what I mean.”
“It’s more than he can do,” Victoria said with bone-dry intonation. “Someone got robbed last night.”
“Youwhat?” The way Jago’s tone matched Victoria’s was uncanny.
“It’s not a big deal. My own stupid fault. I got drunk.”
Victoria rolled her eyes. “Ooh, boy.”
“Yes, remember your boss is standing right there.” Jago smirked again.
