Page 73 of Savage Seduction

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I feel such a sense of accomplishment I realize I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else with my life.

I gather up my things and head for the exit. I'm putting on a jacket to head out into the early evening darkness when I see Bretton walking up the stairs through the window. I push the door open and step outside. “What are you doing here this late?”

“Came to see how the work was going. I’ll be in tomorrow, but the suspense was killing me.”

“We’ve done so much. Look at me… I’m such a gross pig right now.”

“You’re anything but a gross pig.” Bretton checks the time on his watch. “If you haven’t eaten, want to take me up on my offer of drinks and appetizers at Boca Tacos?”

“Let’s do it.” I smile. “I’ll meet you there.”

“Great,” Bretton says. Our eyes meet, neither looking away.

A soft smile forms on Bretton’s lips and his face flushes red before he glances down at the floor.Was he flirting with me?We go our separate ways and for a split second, I question showing up at the restaurant.

As I walk down the corridor leading to the employee exit, I contemplate jumping into my car and going home. A few moments of indecision pass before I shake my head. “Hell no. I’m going.” Ben wouldn’t care if I had a meal with a coworker, plus we hadn’t even defined our relationship yet.

It doesn’t take but five minutes to make it to Boca Tacos, and I wait at the entrance for Bretton to arrive. A black carpulls into the parking lot and a few moments later, Bretton walks up to me.

“I’ve heard really great things about this place.” Bretton holds the door open for me. “After you, good sir.”

“Thanks,” I say.

Once we're seated, I peruse the menu. The usual fare; tacos, enchiladas, nachos, burritos. “The true test of the quality of the restaurant will be their chips and salsa,” I say after closing the menu.

“Oh really?” Bretton turns the menu over. “Looks like they give you green and red salsa here as options.”

“Sounds great to me.”

A waiter comes to the table and places a large bowl of freshly made tortilla chips and salsa, the steam rising from the bowl begging to be devoured. “What can I get for you, amigos?”

“I’ll take a margarita on the rocks, sugar on the rim, please,” I say.

“Same,” Bretton says.

“Were you ready to order food or do you need a few minutes?”

“I think I’m ready if you are, Max?”

I nod and pick up the menu. “I’ll take the two-taco plate with rice and beans.”

“Chicken enchiladas with the verde sauce. Can I get some sour cream on the side in case it’s too spicy for me?” Bretton asks.

“Absolutely, amigos.” The waiter collects the menus. “If you need anything, my name is Javier.”

After he leaves to put in our orders, a silence settles over the table. Bretton breaks first. “I’m glad you came.”

“Me too.”

“Can you believe the exhibition is going to open in just a few short days?”

I shake my head. “It’s very strange. The museum has been talking about this for over a year. Advertising has been on billboards and the sides of city buses since at least this past summer.”

“Do you think it’ll be a hit with the community?”

The chip in my hand is fully loaded with salsa and ready to plop into my mouth, but I put it down and meet his gaze. “I do.” I pause and think about it for a few seconds. “Honestly, after helping uncrate today, in my heart I feel the entire city will support the exhibition. I can see every school in the district lining up to bring their classes through.”

“I agree.” Bretton scoops a chip full of salsa and eats it, then almost immediately starts coughing and reaches for the water.

---