She held back. “Wait here. I want to tell Jasmine where I’m going if she needs me for anything.”
Lamar nodded. “I’ll be outside.” Turning, he walked out of the ballroom.
Nydia found Jasmine dancing with her husband. “Excuse me, Cameron. I need to talk to yourwifefor a minute.”
Cameron smiled. “No problem.” He walked away to give them some privacy.
Looping her arm through Jasmine’s, Nydia whispered in her ear. “I’m going to the hotel lounge to talk with Lamar. And by the way, he speaks Spanish.”
Jasmine’s eyes grew wide. “Say what?”
Pinpoints of heat pricked Nydia’s face as she recalled what she’d said to Jasmine about becoming involved with a married man before she was told Lamar was a widower. “He learned it from a friend, and that means he probably overheard me telling you that I’ll never become a married man’s appetizer or dessert, but his main dish.”
“Do you intend to apologize to him for the remark?”
“No! I meant every word I said.”
Jasmine gave her a long, penetrating stare. “You like him, don’t you?”
“I don’t know enough about him to like him.” Nydia realized she sounded defensive, but it was the truth. “I find him intriguing.”
“Cuidadoso,chica,” Jasmine teased, “or you’ll find yourself packing your bags and moving to Nawlins to hook up with your new man.”
“That’s not happening. If I move down here it will be to become the accountant for the DuPont Inn, and not because of a man.” Nydia released Jasmine’s arm. “I’ll catch you up later about Lamar, because your husband is giving me the stink-eye for monopolizing his wife.”
Jasmine smiled.“Buena suerte, chica.”
Nydia waved her hand at the same time she shook her head. There was no need for Jasmine to wish her luck. After tonight, she doubted whether she would ever see Lamar again.
Chapter 5
Lamar led Nydia out of the ballroom, through the hotel lobby, and into the lounge. Wedding guests and a number of Cameron’s frat brothers and their significant others had claimed every seat at the bar and seating area.
He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “We’re going to have to find another place.”
“Come with me,” Nydia said. “There’s somewhat of a secret alcove between the private dining rooms. Let’s hope no one else has discovered it.”
“How do know about this little hideaway?”
Nydia smiled at him over her shoulder. “I’m staying here.”
“How long will you be here?”
“I plan to be here through the Labor Day weekend.”
Lamar quickly calculated the number of days in his head. “And what do you plan to do for the next two and a half weeks?”
“Hang out with my friends and hopefully soak up some of the Big Easy nightlife. Here we are.” Tucked in between two doors with signs indicating private dining was a padded bench seat with enough room for two. Nydia sat, patting the cushion beside her. “Sit down. I promise not to take advantage of you.”
Chuckling, Lamar sat down beside her. There was something about Nydia that made him feel completely relaxed when around her. It was if she didn’t have a pretentious bone in her body. What you see is what you get. He stretched out his legs, crossed his feet at the ankles, and folded his arms over his chest.
“Before I tell about my adventures in East Harlem, why don’t you tell me a little bit about Nydia Santiago.”
“What do you want to know?”
He turned his head and stared at her delicate profile. “What do you do that allows you a month’s vacation?”
Nydia adjusted the flowing skirt of her gown. “Right now I’m my own boss.”
