Page 70 of Seasoned
“You look nice. I like your outfit,” Adelaide said when he slipped behind the wheel. She squeezed his thigh.
He appreciated her open affection. So often, a man was expected to be the one to pay compliments, but Adelaide was not shy about letting him know when she liked an outfit or that she was attracted to him.
Today’s comment was particularly welcomed because the cream pullover and brown cargo pants were a calculated choice intended to snag her attention. She liked him in this shirt, stating in the past that it made his chest and back look particularly broad. She also liked the cargo pants, which she said made his thighs look bigger.
“These old clothes?” Hector said.
“Yes, those old clothes,” she said with amusement.
They leaned toward each other and kissed again briefly before he backed out of the driveway.
Focusing on the business, he’d missed spending time with her. Putting in more time at work meant less time with his wife. The withdrawal had been gradual—so gradual he hadn’t noticed, but now deeply regretted not prioritizing his marriage. But with the changes he had planned, lack of time would no longer be an issue.
“How is Danny doing at Solar Beams?” Adelaide asked.
“Excellent. The other day he submitted some ideas for the business.”
“Danny?OurDanny?”
Hector nodded, taking a left at the end of the street. “I’m as surprised as you are. He typed up a nice report with recommendations for the website and the store. Some of the ideas are pretty good.” Pride filled his voice.
“So it wasn’t a mistake for him to come work for you?”
“I don’t think so.”
“What do you think about him not going to college?”
As he cruised to a stop at a traffic light, Hector remained silent for a while. “I’ve changed my position on my ideas about college. I’m glad Karen and Junior went and found their passion, but college isn’t for everyone. I didn’t finish college, and I turned out fine. Danny will, too.”
“I think he will, honey. You know what else I think?”
“What?”
“He’s more like you than you realize, or that you want to admit.”
Hector laughed softly. “That’s probably true. Hell, the trajectory of his life is looking awfully familiar. Screw up in school, get a woman pregnant, drop out of college, start selling renewable energy products. Damn, Danny is me.”
Laughing, Adelaide said, “We should have named him Junior.”
“We should have.”
“So how long is this excursion?” she asked, crossing her legs.
“Two and a half hours,” Hector replied.
Then he placed a hand on her thigh and sent a smile in her direction. His mood was happier and much lighter now.
Adelaide and this second chance had transformed him into a new man.
When they arrivedat the Sunset Resort Marina, the skipper of theFreedomsailing yacht met them and introduced himself as John.
A Caucasian man with dark hair and a generous smile, he gripped Adelaide’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “I’ll be your host for the next couple of hours. My grandson, Decker, is my helper today. He’s a great photographer and can take any pictures you like.”
A young man with strikingly similar features, who looked about sixteen, said hello and smiled politely at them.
Adelaide glanced around. “Is anyone else coming?” she asked.
“Normally we have other guests, but Mr. Flores booked the entire boat for your leisure.”
