Nineteen
After Lexi and I eat way too many sopapillas, we pay our bill—leaving Carlos a very generous tip—and stop by the restroom to wash honey off our sticky hands.
“Excellent restaurant choice,” Lexi says as she applies lip gloss. “Delicious food.” She winks at me in the mirror. “And a hot waiter. Definitely worth a repeat experience.”
I scrub a rough paper towel over my damp hands. It was a stressful meal, but it was also fun, when I wasn’t freaking out about Carlos. A stall door opens and to my horror Rose emerges, a smug grin splitting her cherry-red lips. She moves to the sink and washes her hands, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror.
“So I’m guessing you’re the one who called this morning to ask if Carlos was working today.”
I glance at her reflection then watch my own reflection turn pink as I realize she’s the one who answered the phone. And lied.
“Uh, yeah.”
She straightens and nods, then yanks a paper towel from the dispenser. “I figured.” She glances over her shoulder at me and smiles. “Sorry for the little white lie, but I was curious to check out Carlos’s latest stalker.” She turns and crosses her arms over her chest as I wish for the floor to swallow me up. “Also, I love to torture my little brother.”
“So he has a lot of stalkers?” Lexi asks. I want to mute her.
Rose snorts. “Since he was about twelve years old. I thought my mom was going to put bars on the windows when he was in high school, so many girls were always coming by the house.” She shakes her head, smiling.
“Wow.” Lexi’s hip bumps mine none too subtly. “So does he have a girlfriend?”
Rose’s expression is wary as she looks from Lexi to me and back to Lexi. “Who wants to know?”
“No one,” I say at the same time Lexi says, “Everyone.”
“I don’t think so, but he tries to keep that part of his life private, which is tough in a big family like ours.” Her gaze settles on me. “He’s obsessed with that internship. He’s always doing research at home on the computer, and he goes to the library or the coffee shop to work when the house gets too noisy.” She lifts an eyebrow. “Though maybe he’s meeting a girl, who knows?”
“It’s really none of our business if he has a girlfriend.” I glare at Lexi, then force myself to resume eye contact with Rose, whose expression softens like she approves of my response.
“So if you win the scholarship, where do you want to go to college?” she asks, jolting me with the reminder that she thinks I’m Ashley.
“Oh, I, um, I’m not competing.” I clear my throat. “Emergent is my dad’s company. I’m just working there this summer. Assisting the interns.” I should get a scarlet A for assistant on all my shirts.
Rose’s dark eyes widen, and her pretty lips form an O. “So you’re…” She hesitates, like she’s holding something back. “You’re the girl he beat at foosball?”
He told her about that? “I thought you said he keeps his personal life private.”
“He does, mostly. But I’m good at cracking him open.” The new intensity in her eyes reminds me of her brother. “He felt so bad that day. He said you almost won the game. You beat some Neanderthal dude, right?”
Note to self: Carlos is a blabbermouth when interrogated by his big sister.
“Yeah, but it was no big deal. That Carlos won, I mean.” I shrug. “He’s good. And now he has a cheesy trophy for his collection.” I smile, hoping it looks casual and not panicky, because I desperately need to get out of this tiny space and breathe.
“He put it with all his soccer trophies.” Rose grins. “Sounds like you have a lot of fun at your dad’s company. It’s cool working with your family, isn’t it? I love working with mine, even when they drive me crazy.” She wipes her hands on her waitress apron. “Speaking of working, I need to get back out there before my mom yells at me.” She grins and opens the door, waving at us over her shoulder.
Lexi and I stay put until the door closes, then we both exhale.
“Wow. So she’s the direct pipeline to Carlos data.” Lexi points at me. “You need to mind meld with her.”
“Absolutely not.” I like Rose, but she’s a bit intimidating. She’s gorgeous like her brother, and funny, and not at all shy. And clearly protective of Carlos. Kind of like my own big sister, now that I think about it.
Lexi reaches for the door handle. “So do I really have to wait around while you take pictures?”
“Yeah, you really do.” Unless Carlos has changed his mind. But when we emerge into the restaurant, it’s clear that he hasn’t.
“Why didn’t you warn me?” Rose rushes past us. “I need more lipstick, and I don’t want to pose in this horrible uniform but I…” Her voice fades as she rushes back into the bathroom.
Carlos gestures us to the hostess stand, where his mom and several people have gathered.
Lexi trails behind me, and suddenly I’m face-to-face with what I assume is the Rubio clan, or at least most of them.
“Mom, this is Laurel Kristoff,” Carlos says formally. “Her dad owns the company where I’m interning.”
Mrs. Rubio’s face lights up as she steps forward and grasps my hands. “So nice to meet you, Laurel. Carlos loves that job. He was so happy to get it.”
Carlos grimaces, clearly embarrassed.
“This is my Uncle Javier.” He nods to the older man who served our drinks earlier. “And these are my cousins Samson and Denise.” I recognize the busboy from earlier, and Denise wears a white chef’s coat.
Everyone talks at once, reaching out to shake hands, and I’m a bit overwhelmed by the warmth everyone exudes. His family is just like I hoped they’d be when I studied their website photos.
“This is my friend, Lexi,” I say, realizing she’s still hanging back.
“Encantada, Lexi.” Mrs. Rubio’s easy smile encompasses both of us, then she turns away to answer the phone.
Encantada…like the restaurant name, Encantado?
“It means ‘delighted to meet you,’” Lexi clarifies. “If Carlos said it to you, he’d say ‘encantado,’ since he’s a guy.” She waggles her eyebrows.
Showoff, I think, but secretly I’m pleased. Lexi takes Spanish. I take French, which Lexi says is pretentious. At this moment, I wish I could borrow her language brain.
“Carlos! Carlos!” Two tiny bodies burst through the front door and launch themselves at his legs, wrapping around him like barnacles. It’s the girls from the church bench photo. Today they’re dressed in shorts and T-shirts instead of frilly white dresses, but the adoration in their eyes is the same as in the photo.
He groans as he detaches them from his legs. “You two are gonna kill me someday, you know that?” The girls giggle, then run to the gumball machine, arguing over who gets to put her quarter in first.
A tall, lanky man wearing a cowboy hat follows the girls into the restaurant. I take one look at his smile and know it’s Carlos’s dad. Nothing like meeting your secret crush’s entire family all at once.
“What’s going on? Family meeting I wasn’t invited to?” Mr. Rubio’s voice is deep and authoritative, but a familiar twinkle glints in his dark eyes.
“Yeah, we just voted to close early on Saturdays.” Carlos grins at his dad. “So, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m outta here.”
Mr. Rubio laughs, deep and rumbly, and then he notices Lexi and me.
“Hello.” He glances curiously at his wife, but before she can speak, Carlos does.
“Dad, this is Laurel Kristoff. Her dad runs the company where I’m interning. And this is her friend Lexi.”
I hold out my hand, pretending I’m Princess Leia meeting a royal ambassador. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Rubio. My dad is so pleased to have Carlos working for him this summer.” Dad Vader would be so proud.
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Kristoff.” Mr. Rubio shakes my hand and grins, dimpling like his son. Among them, the Rubios hoard a ridiculous number of dimples. I can hardly wait to start taking photos.
“Hi.” Lexi lets her hand be gripped by Mr. Rubio next and giggles nervously.
“Laurel’s working on a new website design for us,” Carlos says casually, like he didn’t just find out about it twenty minutes ago. “She came by to take photos of the restaurant. And of us.”
“Is that right?” Mr. Rubio cocks an eyebrow.
I nod, telling myself to exude confidence instead of panic.
“God, I can’t believe this!” Rose joins us, wearing fresh lipstick and mascara, her dark curls shiny and perfect. “There’s a coffee stain on my shirt. Can’t I just put on civilian clothes for this picture?”
To my surprise, Carlos and his mom look to me for an answer.
“Uh…sure. Everyone doesn’t have to be in uniform.” I glance at Mr. Rubio, who’s dressed in a plaid western shirt, dark jeans, and cowboy boots.
“Oh, thank God. I’ll be right back.” Rose rushes off again, and the little girls run toward us laughing, each clutching a small plastic cube. I smile at them, remembering how I used to love those prize machines, especially when they spewed out cheap, shiny jewelry.
“I got a ring!” squeals the girl wearing a yellow T-shirt.
“Mine’s prettier.” The girl in a blue shirt beams up at me. “Who are you?”
“Marisa, that’s not how you introduce yourself to someone.” Carlos shoots me an apologetic smile. “This is my friend Laurel. We work together at my other job. And this is her friend Lexi.” He puts a hand on each girl’s head. “These are my sisters, Marisa and Teresa.”
Marisa studies me, her smile giving way to a serious assessment. “Are you Carlos’s new girlfriend? Because I know he likes someone. I heard him talking to Rose—”
“Marisa, that’s enough.” Carlos’s voice is sharp as he glowers at his little sister.
My fizzy excitement about meeting the Rubios evaporates, but I pretend like I don’t care if he has a harem of girlfriends.
“So where should we pose?” Carlos asks.
“Let’s take some outside first.” I glance toward the full restaurant. “Are you sure you have time? It’s so busy right now.” I bite my lip. This isn’t the most professional way to handle this. I should have planned ahead—made an appointment and scheduled this during a slow time.
“We’re always busy, unless we’re closed,” Mr. Rubio says with a proud grin. “Besides, our customers will understand.” He takes a few steps into the restaurant and claps his hands for attention. “Amigos! We’re going to spend a few minutes outside taking family photographs.” He glances at Carlos and I catch a glimpse of the Rubio smirk I’ve come to know quite well.
“Apparently we’re updating our website and need new photos. We want to show what it looks like on a busy day here at Encantado.” He doffs his cowboy hat and bows. “Thanks for your patience. Drinks are on the house as soon as we’re done.”
A few appreciative hoots and applause sound from the barstools and Mr. Rubio grins. I, on the other hand, am mortified. Now they have to give away free stuff because of me? Ugh. I sneak a peek at Carlos, who’s watching his dad the same way he watches my dad—like he’s taking mental notes.
“It’s okay,” Lexi whispers in my ear. “You got this.”
Mr. Rubio turns to me and gestures to the door. “We’re in your hands, Miss Kristoff.” He and his wife walk outside together, holding hands like newlyweds. I wish I’d had my camera ready for that.
Carlos’s little sisters paw at him like eager puppies as they head outside. Rose hurries up to Lexi and me, wearing a beautiful red blouse that complements her dark hair and eyes.
“How do I look?”
“Beautiful,” I tell her. “Your whole family is beautiful.” As soon as the words pop out, heat floods my cheeks. I hope Carlos didn’t hear me. The gleam in Rose’s eyes tells me she knows exactly what I meant.
Taking a breath, I push through the door into the bright sunshine, hoping I can pull off my crazy scheme to win over Carlos. Not in a romantic way, in a professional way.
I’m such a liar.
The Rubios are perfect models. They laugh and joke and mug for the camera. I take bursts of photos, close-ups and wide angles, anxiously aware of the customers waiting inside.
“Okay, everyone back to work.” I point to the restaurant and Mr. Rubio gives me a thumbs-up. “I’ll take more photos of you and your customers inside. And maybe a few in the kitchen?”
“Great idea.” Carlos steers his little sisters back inside, but not before tossing me a bone-melting grin over his shoulder.
“Are you dying inside?” Lexi whispers as we wait for everyone else to go inside. “Because I’m dying for you. He’s amazing. I refuse to believe he has a girlfriend or that he likes Ashley when he smiles at you like that. What do his sisters know, anyway?”
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is taking these photos, then finishing the website.” I hold the door for her. “I’m not destined for a summer fling, Lex. It’s just not meant to be.”
…
An hour later, I’ve photographed everyone in the restaurant, including the Rubios at work and customers enjoying their meals. I hope to use some of those photos for the “first bite” collage I suggested to Carlos. I’ve got a memory card full of photos and can’t wait to get home and start editing them.
“You girls come back and see us again, soon, okay?” Mrs. Rubio squeezes my hands in hers when I say goodbye.
“We will.” I hope it’s not a white lie. I’d love to come back.
Mrs. Rubio releases my hands. Lexi and I are almost out the door when a voice stops me in my tracks.
“Laurel, wait up.”
Carlos. He’s removed his apron and if I’m not mistaken, he’s combed his hair, something he didn’t bother with for the photos I took. My pulse thrums.
“I’m taking a break. Rose, you’ve got my tables,” he says to his sister, ignoring her raised eyebrows. He shifts his gaze to me. “Ready?”
Lexi jabs me in the back, so I move, following Carlos out the door. I hear giggling, then two small bodies push past me, running toward Carlos.
“Wait for us!”
Carlos turns around, eyes narrowed, and points to the door. “Go back inside.”
Undeterred, they stand their ground. “Where are you going? Can we come?”
He glances at me, frustration and embarrassment in his eyes. “I’m going for a walk, and no you can’t come.” The girls pivot to Lexi and me.
“So you have two girlfriends?” asks Marisa. “Is that allowed?”
Carlos pins his sisters with a glare. “You two need to go back inside. Now.”
Their tiny bodies lock into place, hands on hips, unmoved by his command.
“Uh-uh,” pipes up Teresa. “We’re going with you and your girlfriends.”
“We’re not his girlfriends,” I say. “We’re just friends.” I feel like an idiot, clarifying our relationship status to small children.
Marisa mimics Rose’s speculative assessment posture. “Carlos has lots of those. Girl friends.”
My lips quirk. “So I’ve heard.”
His eyes widen in surprise, but he recovers quickly, rewarding me with a sly grin. He puts a hand on each girl’s head and marches them toward the door, their faces contorted into pouts. He releases them to yank the door open, then shoves them gently inside. “I’ll see you later, troublemakers.”
“Carlos has two girlfriends! Carlos has two—” He slams the door, cutting off their singsong voices as Lexi and I dissolve into giggles. He runs a hand through his hair, ruining his earlier combing efforts, a resigned smile tugging at his lips.
“This is my life,” he says with a shrug, his intense brown eyes fixed on mine. “Just one thrill after another.” I feel like there’s a hidden meaning to his words, but I’m not sure what it is. “So you still want to take pictures of the church?”
I nod and he tilts his head toward the street. “Let’s go.”
The three of us fall into step together, me in between Carlos and Lexi. We’ve only walked half a block when Lexi pulls her phone from her pocket.
“I have to call my mom. She’s texting me and freaking out, wondering where I am.”
I’m about to say we can skip the photos, but when I turn to Lexi, a devious gleam sparkles in her eyes. I hope Carlos can’t read her the way I can.
“You guys go on ahead. I’ll catch up.”
She’s not subtle, but Carlos doesn’t seem to realize she’s faking.
“Walk three blocks,” he tells her, pointing straight ahead, “then cut across the park. The church is on the other side of the park. You can’t miss it.”
Lexi nods and waves us on, then makes a show of putting her phone to ear. I wonder how far she’s going to take her charade, and as Carlos and I resume walking I get my answer.
“God, Mom. Relax, okay? I’m just hanging out with Laurel.”
I have to smash my lips together to hold in my laughter. I’m keenly aware of the tiny bit of space between Carlos and me. His arm brushes mine as we walk. More than once.
“So.” He huffs the word like an exhale. “What did you think of the restaurant? And my crazy family?” He cuts me a sideways glance and I bite the inside of my lip, wondering how honest I dare to be. I don’t want to scare him away with borderline stalker behavior.
“They’re great.” I clear my throat and focus on a riotous garden of wildflowers instead of him. The colors momentarily distract me. “Hold on for a sec.”
I set my camera bag on the ground and retrieve my camera, then put all of my energy into capturing the garden in my lens. I take a few wide shots of the whole garden, then zoom in on the frail blue-and-white beauty of a single columbine. I’m dimly aware that Carlos waits patiently and quietly. I’m grateful he’s not asking questions while I shoot. It’s like he knows he shouldn’t.
Satisfied with my shots, I lower the camera and see that Carlos has slung my bag over his shoulder. The small gesture makes my heart squeeze.
We fall into step together and I answer his question. “Your family is fantastic. Your little sisters are adorable. Rose is friendly, and funny.” We glance at each other and I wonder if he’s worried that she revealed secret data.
“Yeah. She’s cool, but she’s a pain in the butt sometimes.”
I kick at a rock on the sidewalk, sending it skittering ahead of us. “I can relate. I have an older sister, too. I love her but she drives me crazy.”
He chuckles softly next to me. “I guess all older sisters are a pain sometimes.”
“Yeah. Like parents.” I blush as I realize my faux pas. “Your parents are great. I meant mine.”
“Your dad’s awesome. He’s built a great business.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“How about your mom?” he asks. “What’s she like?”
Is it normal for a guy to actually show interest in a girl’s parents? It’s sweet, but unexpected.
“My mom’s a weird mash-up of a hippie and an entrepreneur, but I think her business savvy was cultivated by Dad.”
Carlos grins. “My mom’s the business genius in our family. My dad’s great at working the bar and making people laugh, but Mom’s the brains.”
We’ve reached an intersection and he gestures for us to cross the street. We enter a small pocket park, lush with greenery and colorful flower beds. A playground full of laughing kids is the focal point. Parents sit on surrounding benches, chatting, sipping from to-go cups, and occasionally calling out to their kids.
“This was my favorite park when I was a kid.” Carlos kicks a stray soccer ball toward an enormous pine tree. It’s a powerful kick, and perfectly aimed.
I hesitate just for a second, then run after the ball, landing a solid push kick that sends the ball right under the tree. “Goal!” I throw up my hands in victory and hear Carlos’s deep laughter behind me.
“Nice shot. You play soccer?” He sounds surprised, smiling as he jogs to catch up to me.
“Yeah, I play.”
His gaze turns speculative. “Me, too.”
“As well as you play foosball?” I challenge.
“Better.” His trademark smirk appears, making my pulse flutter.
I’m not sure why I’m able to tease him right now. Maybe it’s because we’re not at work with the Manicotti looming over us. Maybe it’s because I saw another side of him working at the restaurant and with his little sisters. Whatever the reason, I like how this feels between us—friendly with a definite side of flirty.
“That figures.” I tilt my head back so I can look directly into his eyes. We’re standing in the shade of the enormous tree, so I don’t have to squint, and neither does he, allowing us a long moment to just…drink each other in.
“Maybe we need another rematch,” he says, taking a step toward me. “On the soccer field instead of foosball.”
He’s standing so close that my brain short-circuits as I struggle for a clever comeback. What would Qa’hr say? I swallow as I continue staring into his eyes, then my gaze drifts down to his mouth, which is a bad idea, because if I think about kissing him, I’ll never come up with a witty response. My focus shifts back to his eyes, which spark with a new intensity, and he mirrors me, his gaze darting to my mouth, then back to my eyes.
“I…uh…wouldn’t want to show you up,” I stammer. I don’t think I’m imagining the energy crackling between us, especially when he steps even closer, leaving just inches between us.
“I think I can handle whatever you throw down, Special K.” His voice is low and threaded with a husky undertone that makes my legs wobble. He reaches out to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear and I shiver as his fingers brush my skin.
“I’m about to make a bad decision, Laurel. Or maybe a good one.” His Hershey’s Special Dark eyes are riveted on mine. “I’m about to break a rule.”
“Rule number eight?” My heart stutters like an engine that can’t decide whether to start or stall.
He grasps my waist, pulling me in close. His hands feel like fire, burning through my thin cotton shirt. “I’m not a fan of arbitrary rules,” he says, his voice even lower, “and we’re not on the clock.”
My body arches toward him like a sunflower reaching for the sun, but I have to ask a question. “B-but don’t you have a girlfriend?”
His eyebrows dip in a V over his nose. “No. Do you really think I’d…oh…my little sisters.” He rolls his eyes skyward. “They watch too many princess movies and think I’m, uh, dating every girl they meet.”
“What about Ashley?” I don’t want to ask, but I have to. As much as I want this kiss, if he’s a player, I’m out of here.
“What?” He blinks, a quizzical expression transforming his expression.
“I, uh, thought…” I shrug helplessly, afraid I just killed our moment.
Smiling down at me, he shakes his head. “Nope. There’s only one girl at Emergent who distracts me.” His gaze locks on mine. “I’m not seeing anyone. Not interested in Ashley. But I’m keeping my options open. One option in particular.”
Holy wow. With courage I didn’t know I had, I place a hand on his chest, feeling him suck in a breath. “Are you sure you want to kiss the boss’s daughter? I hear that’s a firing offense.”
Oh crap, why’d I say that? Now all I can think of is rule number eight and him being disqualified and—
“I’m willing to risk it.” His voice is rough as he pulls me even closer. “I’ve wanted to kiss the boss’s daughter since the first day I met her.”
The heat we’re generating swirls all the way to my toes. If he weren’t holding me, I might collapse from shock. And happiness. And kissing him here doesn’t count as a rule violation, does it? We’re not at work. No one from Emergent will see us.
My body buzzes and crackles like an electrical current. His heart beats through the fabric of his shirt against the palm of my hand. My other hand tentatively makes its way up to his hair, my fingers hesitant at first, then plunging in fearlessly. The strands are silky smooth and messy and…perfect.
“You’re going to be a lot more trouble than I thought you’d be, Special K.” Carlos’s voice drops a whole octave.
“I’m not troub—” But I don’t get to argue because his lips are finally, finally on mine.
And it’s fantastic.
Our bodies meld together—curves and muscle, heat and desperation—like this is our only chance to steal a kiss and we both want to make it count. Carlos kisses with the same confident intensity he uses at work, taking charge like a kickass Rebel pilot. His hands move from my waist, sliding up my back, to my neck, cupping my face briefly, and then his fingers are in my hair, tugging gently at first, then with more urgency. His mouth is hot and demanding, and I do my best to match his urgent pace.
“Hey, Carlos! That’s my soccer ball.”
Startled, I start to pull away, but Carlos keeps a hand locked on my waist as he turns and kicks the ball out of the tree’s shadow. A young boy stops it with his foot and waves at us.
“Kids,” Carlos mutters. “Why are they everywhere?”
I should crack a joke, or if I was brave, pull him into another kiss, but now I’m in shock.
Carlos kissed me.
Expertly. Thoroughly. Who knows how long we would have kept it up if it weren’t for that kid? My legs are jelly and my pulse pounds in my ear like an erratic drumbeat.
“Y-you probably should go back to work.”
Carlos cocks an eyebrow. “You’re kicking me to the curb already? Guess I need to work on my technique.”
“I…that’s not…you don’t…your technique is, uh, fine…better than fine…” Babbling is my new superpower, which is a shame, because I’d much prefer invisibility at this moment.
“I do need to get back to work. Rose is gonna kill me.” He grins down at me. “Totally worth it, though.”
All I can do is nod.
“You still want pictures of the church?”
I nod again, like an idiot.
“Come on.” He takes my hand in his and we cut diagonally across the park until we’re standing in front of a beautiful old church made of red sandstone.
“Wish I could stay, but I’ve gotta get back.” He squeezes my hand.
“I understand. I’ll, um, see you later.”
He gives me one last high-voltage grin, then releases my hand and jogs across the park. He sneaks up on the kid who interrupted our kissing session and kicks the ball out from under him, making me laugh.
Lexi’s at the church already, and she pumps me for details as I take photos. It almost feels sacrilegious talking about kissing while I take photos of a church, but I tell her everything.
“Wow,” she breathes. “He must have amazing skills.”
“Not that I have a lot of experience, but yeah…amazing.”
When we return to my car, a paper flutters under the windshield wiper. Slanted cursive scrawls across a page torn from a restaurant order pad.
“Special K—thanks for stopping by with your friend. Hope you got great photos of St. Pete’s. Call me if you want a rematch. Maybe with fireworks? - C.” Followed by ten digits.
I read the note several times. Is he referring to Fourth of July fireworks or kissing fireworks? My finger traces the C like I’m a pining heroine in an old novel who just received a love letter.
Lexi reaches out and takes the paper, scanning it quickly. She huffs out a small laugh. “This, my friend, is flirting. Expert level. Put it in your scrapbook for when you’re old and gray. But call him first.”
“Shut up.” I unlock the car and she sticks her tongue out like one of Carlos’s young sisters, making me laugh.
Carefully, I fold the note and tuck it into a zippered pouch of my camera bag. I’m not putting the note in a scrapbook, but I’m definitely not throwing it away, either.
As for a rematch, I’m not sure my heart can handle it.