“Jamie!” Marissa called. “Darren and Linc just pulled up outside. Do we have the plantains ready to go?”
“Yep!”
“Get it plated while I get them settled,” she said. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
The guys had hired us for a rehearsal dinner, but they wanted to keep it casual, with a taco bar. We were dressing it up a little with some exotic ingredients like fried plantains, fresh pineapple salsa, seared tuna, Caribbean jerk chicken, and roasted poblanos. Of course, we had all the usual Tex-Mex taco fixings like ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and guacamole, as well.
I spooned fried plantains into small tortillas, along with black beans, pickled onions, and queso fresco, topping it all off with pineapple salsa.
Corey came over to watch. “Damn, it looks weird, but my mouth is watering. Who knew?”
Marissa returned just then and raised an eyebrow at his comment.
Corey blushed. “Sorry. I’m sure it’s good!”
Marissa smiled. “If Jamie made it, then I don’t doubt it.”
“Yeah, he’s so good at this stuff,” Corey said. “I’m lucky he’s teaching me.”
“We’re both lucky in that regard,” Marissa said with a chuckle as I handed her the plate.
“Come on out and say hi to the guys. They’re gonna be our easiest wedding clients of the year. I can already tell.”
I followed her out, teasing, “Really? I don’t know. Linc looks like a total groomzilla.”
“I heard that!” Linc called as we emerged from the kitchen.
Marissa cast me a chastising look, but Darren just laughed. “He’s got you pegged, princess.”
“As long as my day is perfect and I look amazing, then I’ll be whatever you want to call me.” He winked.
“Your daywillbe perfect,” Marissa enthused. “You’ll both make such handsome grooms. Won’t they, Jamie?”
“Silas is their planner. They won’t have a choice.”
Darren laughed harder at that. “He’s a force of nature, that one.”
I smiled. “He is, but you’ll have an amazing wedding.” I slid the plate onto the table. “Here is a sample of our plantain tacos for you to try.”
“Ooh, interesting,” Linc said, picking one up to take a bite.
Darren looked skeptical, but when Linc’s eyes lit up with pleasure, he tried it too.
“Hmm,” Darren said. “Not really to my taste.”
“It’s delicious!” Linc cried. “What’s wrong with you?”
Darren laughed. “I don’t know, man. I guess I’m not sophisticated enough for plantains. I thought we were going to have regular tacos.”
“You will,” Marissa assured. “We have all the traditional taco fillings and toppings. We just thought it might be fun to throw in a few special options you don’t find at Taco Loco.”
He chuckled. “Fair enough. What else have you got?”
I turned. “Corey, bring out the jerk chicken tacos you prepped. I think those will go over better with Darren.”
Marissa talked the guys through how many options theywanted to serve on the bar and how many guests they’d be feeding while Corey and I brought out a sampling of tacos and salsas.
By the end, Linc sat back with a groan. “Well, I’m stuffed. Everything is so amazing. I can’t possibly choose.”
