South Beach Love Read online

  Tony turned to glance questioningly at Sara, but she immediately changed the subject. Motioning to his food, she said, “Did you try the potatoes? They’re one of my favs.”

  He hadn’t and since she’d seemed eager to change the subject, he dug into the dish and let his questions drop. He could understand that Sara might not like him knowing that things had been so rough for her, but it only made him think even more of her and what she had accomplished. It made him admire her strength and perseverance.

  As he dug into the potatoes and brought them to his mouth, a thin string of melted cheese dangled from his fork. Rich butter, tangy cheese, both crusty and creamy potatoes, and a hint of smokiness invaded his senses when he ate the bite. Around a mouthful of food, he said, “I’ve got to get this recipe.”

  “I’d be delighted to share it with you,” Sara said, her eyes gleaming with pleasure at his appreciation for her food. But as her gaze dipped down to his lips as he licked away a bit of the cheese, he imagined more than her gaze on his lips.

  “Maybe we can cook together when you have a moment,” he said, hopeful that he could spend more time with her in the future. Even that it could be more than just two chefs admiring what both had accomplished.

  Sara smiled and did a little shrug of fine-boned shoulders. “Are you sure? We don’t do the whole fancy toque and chef’s jacket thing here.”

  “I don’t either. Makes my head too sweaty,” he said and ran a hand through his hair, brushing back the thick waves that had always made the traditional chef’s headwear a nightmare.

  “Maybe,” she said and finished the last bit of food on her plate.

  He had hoped for something more than a “maybe” but didn’t want to push too soon. Glancing down at his own plate, he realized that he’d eaten every heaping spoonful of food while they’d been talking. A quick look around the table confirmed others were also done with their meals. It made him sad that his time with Sara would soon be over for the night, especially considering the uncertainty in her “Maybe.”

  “Why don’t you walk Sara home, Tony?” Rick suggested. “It’s kinda late.”

  “It’s always ‘kinda late’ when we’re done. And why don’t you ever walk me home?” Jeri groused and elbowed him.

  Rick seemed taken aback. “Would you like that?”

  “Girl shouldn’t have to ask,” Jeri said with a pout of full lips and a sparkle in her blue eyes.

  “That’s okay. We’ve still got all this to get cleaned up and put away,” Sara said and gestured to the table, her delicate hands graceful. There was a little wrinkle in her nose as she looked toward her kitchen and obviously thought about the work necessary to clean it up.

  “You two go. Jeri and I have got this,” Rick said and clapped him on the back.

  Jeri offered her agreement. “We’ve totally got this. You two go ahead.”

  Tony peered between Rick and Jeri and sensed that his old friend was not only helping Tony, but also himself since he was clearly interested in Sara’s partner and wanted some alone time with her. Tony didn’t have to be told twice. He rose and held out his hand to Sara. “May I?”

  Sara hesitated, but then slipped her hand into his. Her touch brought to life a life of dormant feelings. As she rose, she smiled at him and said, “I just have to change out of these clothes and grab my bag. Is that okay?”

  “Totally,” he said with a grin, happy that his night with her wasn’t over.

  With a tug, she guided him from the table. As she stepped away, she turned to her crew. “Good job, everyone. You really nailed it tonight. See you tomorrow.”

  Claps, hoots, and calls of “Thank you, chef,” chased them from the dining area as they headed into an office space behind the kitchen. Her crew’s happy vibes were so different from the ones he had gotten in his own restaurant lately. He blamed himself for how crabby he had gotten with his own staff. They used to have that kind of warmth in the beginning—but it had faded as his mood had taken a decided downturn with the demands of managing the restaurant.

  In the back, he noticed that both Sara and Jeri had small offices with a third, slightly larger area that had two desks in it. At his questioning look, she explained, “Jeri and I share some administrative work, but we have a bookkeeper and a part-time manager for scheduling and other tasks. It helps keep us in the kitchen and gives us more free time for personal things.”

  Something I haven’t learned to do, he chastised himself.

  “That’s great. I wish I could manage that,” he said.

  “You just have to give up some control,” Sara replied matter-of-factly. She snagged some clothes from a hook on one wall. “Could you please wait outside while I change?”

  He stepped back out into the tiny hallway and closed the door to her office. Leaning back against the wall, he thought about her statement regarding control. He knew she was right, but it was easier said than done. Still, maybe it would be worth the effort in the long run. Especially since he’d somehow become like a couple of those chefs he’d worked under, always shouting and berating their staff. And especially since Sara was calling to him in unexpected ways. That Miami and his family and friends were pulling at his heart.

  The sound of muffled footsteps approaching the door had him straightening and when the door opened Sara stood there in faded jeans and a peach-colored T-shirt that hugged her slender curves. His heartbeat accelerated at the sight of her, looking so beautiful even in the casual clothes. Stunning, really.

  “This is crazy, you know. I had to drive to work today and my car is just around the corner,” she said and gestured toward the hall back to the main area of the restaurant.

  “What about I do something crazy myself, like walk you to your car?” he teased and held out his hand again.

  She hesitated, but then she slipped her hand into his, and they walked out into the dining area. Part of the crew had cleared off the area and was now putting the individual tables and chairs back into place. while the others were tidying the kitchen. Everyone was working like a well-oiled machine without Sara there to bark out orders. Like I do, Tony thought.

  In one corner Rick was helping Jeri with something that had her smiling and laughing. He was going to have to ask his friend what was up with the vibes between him and Sara’s partner when he had a chance.

  For now, he focused on the feel of Sara’s hand in his, so soft and warm, and the shy smile she tossed at him as he looked back at her. The smile warmed his heart and he could picture seeing it more often. Could picture spending more time with both her and her staff—and hopefully alone with her. Maybe tonight will be the start of a journey to that, he thought, and smiled.

  He pushed through the door of the restaurant and waited for Sara to take the lead. As she guided him past the restaurant’s outdoor tables she turned onto Collins and away from Lincoln Road. They had barely walked a block when Sara stopped in front of a late model convertible.

  Sara leaned against the side of the car. “Told you it was crazy,” she said with a grin and a shrug.

  Maybe it was, but he was grateful for even those few extra minutes in her company. With a smile, he swung their joined hands and said, “Like I said, I can do crazy.”

  “Which is this, whatever is happening,” she said and gestured between the two of them with her hand. While changing, she’d added two gold rings and beaded bracelets that emphasized the fragile-looking slenderness of her fingers and wrist.

  He took hold of that hand as well. She didn’t protest which he took as a good sign. “I don’t know what’s happening, but whatever it is feels nice.”

  “‘Nice.’ Ouch. That’s like telling a girl she’s cute,” she said with a wrinkle of her nose, a gesture that was growing more and more familiar and was totally cute. He decided he really liked cute, but it was clear she needed more. That was fine—he was prepared to give it. She fascinated him on mult
iple levels, and he wanted to explore each one.

  He released her hand to cup her cheek and ran his thumb across her smooth skin, soft and warm from the slight flush of color that painted her cheeks. “You’re beautiful and I’m feeling...I don’t know what I’m feeling except....”

  She tilted her face upward and he cupped the back of her head and dug his fingers into the silk of her short hair. Thick strands of chocolate, caramel, and auburn twined around his fingers, much like her presence was winding something tight around his heart. Her grey-green eyes widened as he leaned toward her, but she didn’t pull away. He took that as an invitation for more.

  He moved closer until her breath spilled warmth against his lips but kept a respectable distance from her body since he didn’t want to press too much too soon. It was too early for more, as much as he might want it.

  “Goodnight, chef,” someone called out from behind them, shattering the moment.

  “Good night, Brenda,” Sara said and waved at the young woman, her casual tone contradicted by the deep stain of color on her cheeks.

  Tony took a step back and grabbed hold of her hands again. “I’m not going to say ‘I’m sorry’ for that.” No way am I sorry. She was lovely, and each encounter only made him want to know her better.

  Sara smiled shyly and crinkled her nose again. “Good, because I’m not sorry either, just confused. I mean, you’re only visiting, right?”

  If someone had asked him only days ago the answer would have been a resounding “Yes” only he was no longer quite so sure. But he also wasn’t certain what he’d be doing when his month in Miami was over and he didn’t want to make any promises to her that he couldn’t keep. “Only visiting...for now.”

  “So for now it might be nice to spend some time together?”

  Tony chuckled and cupped her cheek once again. He swiped his thumb across the blush there. “I always liked that you were the take charge kind, even as a kid.”

  “I’m not a kid anymore,” she reminded.

  Tony laughed again because there was no doubting that she was no longer that kid who had chased after him and Rick. He shook his head and said, “I think I noticed that. Since you’re so good at delegating, unlike me, would you like to spend the day with me when you’re free?”

  Sara gave their hands a mischievous shake. “Like tomorrow morning, you mean? I’m free until dinner time since it’s Jeri’s turn to cover the lunch rush.”

  “I’m game. Pick you up at nine? We could do breakfast before we go somewhere?” he said, already looking forward to spending the day with her.

  “I’d love that. Give me your phone number so I can text you my address,” she said and after exchanging information, they stood there awkwardly for what felt like minutes, but was probably only a few seconds, before he finally took another step back and jammed his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her again. She was just too tempting and he couldn’t rush this, whatever this was.

  Sara dug into her bag, yanked out her keys, and jangled them nervously. “See you tomorrow.”

  “For sure. Drive safe,” he said, watched her get in her car, and drive away. He missed her immediately. It had him wondering again whether his month in Miami would become something more.

  As he turned to head back to his car, he spotted Jeri and Rick by the entrance to the restaurant’s al fresco area. They were about a foot apart, not touching, but despite that there was no denying the connection between them. He waited for his friend to make some kind of move, only he didn’t, which was so not like Rick.

  Instead, his friend leaned close and whispered into Jeri’s ear. Jeri laughed and with a quick brush of her hand against Rick’s arm, she walked away, leaving Rick standing there. As Rick’s gaze tracked Jeri’s departure, a sad smile came to his lips and he jammed his hands into his pockets, rocked back and forth on his heels. It was almost as if he wanted to chase after her, but he held fast.

  Tony joined him and clapped him on the back. “Mano, you’ve got it bad.”

  Rick shook his head and sighed. “It is bad, but I don’t know what to do about it.”

  “Really? You should take some lessons from your sister. She always knows what to do,” Tony said and walked with Rick back to where they had parked earlier that night.

  Rick wrapped an arm around Tony’s shoulder and squeezed, almost painfully. “Just remember that’s my sister, man. Don’t break her heart or I’ll have to hurt you.”

  “I won’t. Truth be told, I’m more worried I’ll be heartbroken if I end up going back to New York.”

  Rick stopped and shot him a hard, questioning look. “You mean, when you go back to New York, don’t you? Not that we all don’t want you to stay, but don’t go saying stuff like that and getting everyone’s hopes up unless you mean it.”

  Subconscious slip or more? he thought with a choked laugh. Although going back to New York was losing more and more appeal with each day spent in Miami.

  Since the whole “Maybe I’ll stay in Miami thing” was still a too new feeling, he said, “Yes, when I go back. And I won’t hurt her, Rick. We’re two adults and we know what we’re getting into.”

  Rick started walking again, but in soft tones he said, “She may be an adult, but she’ll always be my little sister. All I want is for her to be happy. I don’t know why I never saw it before, but I think you’d make her happy.”

  It was a dangerous thing to possibly be the source of someone’s happiness, and Tony wasn’t feeling up to the challenge, especially since he hadn’t found a way to be happy himself. “I want her to be happy too, Rick.”

  “Good, because otherwise –”

  “You’d have to hurt me,” Tony said with a chuckle.

  “Only we both know I wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Rick admitted with a wry grin.

  “It’s why you’re my best friend,” Tony said and meant it. He might have left Miami, but Rick was still someone he could call when he needed advice. It made Tony sad to think that in the last few years, those calls and messages had been fewer and fewer in number.

  Rick cuffed him on the back of the head, but the blow lacked sting. “Don’t you forget that. And don’t stay away so long next time.”

  “I won’t,” he said. Even though he wasn’t sure about the whole Miami versus New York thing, he was sure that he had to come home more often. He missed his sister, pain that she was, and as vibrant as his parents still were, they were showing their age. And then there was Sara....

  He definitely didn’t know what to do about her, but he was willing to take the time to try and find out. And to find out more about what was going on in his friend’s life.

  “Tell me about you and Jeri. . .”

  Chapter 8

  The roster went up early that morning to list who had made the team after soccer tryouts. All the potential players raced into school before class started to head to the bulletin board by the gym.

  Samantha stood there with two of her friends, Carmen and Lauren. Just a second later, Angelica, Maya, and Daisy arrived and flanked them. The six stood in front of the list as bodies piled up behind them to search for their names.

  “You did it, Angelica! You’re the team captain,” Maya said in an ear-piercing squeal.

  Angelica smiled, but the smile faded a bit as she looked toward Samantha.

  Samantha bit back her disappointment and forced a smile to her lips. She faced Angelica and said, “Congratulations. You deserve to be the team captain.”

  Angelica shook her head, as if to clear her ears, maybe because she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Apparently, neither could a number of the other girls around them who gasped in surprise.

  In a wavery voice, Angelica somehow managed to say, “Thank you.”

  Angelica’s response didn’t really sound sincere, maybe because Samantha’s words had lacked real conviction, so Samantha dou
bled down on her comment, injecting more feeling into her words. “I mean it, Angelica. You’re the better player. You’ll be a good team captain.”

  Angelica jerked back as if she’d been slapped, clearly shocked. She fumbled for a second, but then regained control and said, “It’s going to be a good year. You’re a great midfielder.”

  “Thanks,” Samantha said.

  “We’ll make a great team,” Angelica said with real conviction and no hint of the usual competition between them, helping to ease any lingering tension.

  “We will,” Samantha said and put up her fist for a bump.

  After the girls all exchanged fist bumps and jerked out their phones to text people with the news, Samantha walked away, smiling. She’d talked to her mother about Angelica and her mother had mentioned how the Kelly and Sanchez families had all grown up as friends in Little Havana. How they still had some ties that they valued.

  It had made Samantha think a little more about how much nicer it might be to be friends. The idea didn’t seem so farfetched anymore. It was why, no matter how much it hurt to admit it, she was glad she’d said that Angelica had been the right choice for team captain.

  At least she was still the Class President and ahead by a few points for class valedictorian. Some things just didn’t change overnight, she thought with a chuckle.

  Sylvia had loaned Tony her Wrangler because as she put it, “You can’t make a good first impression with mami and papi’s twenty-year old Buick Century.”

  Not that Tony was worried about anything like that with Sara. He’d already made multiple impressions over the years and as far as he could tell, he’d done all right otherwise they wouldn’t be going out on this date.

  Dios mío, he was going on a date. Something he hadn’t done in the nearly four months since his girlfriend had walked out on him. Something that hadn’t even been on his radar, but now that it was happening he was excited about it. Especially since his date was Sara.