Page 30 of A Flighty Fake Boyfriend
“Hey, he smokes the same weird brand you do,” observed Epic.
“Hello, Luis.” It wasn’t the wind that chilled me to the bone. “Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.”
Chapter Eight
Luis nodded his head regally while I took stock of his appearance. He now wore his dark, curly hair long, but his smoldering black eyes and hawkish nose were the same and still achingly handsome.
“Thank you, amorcito. It means a lot to me that you are here to witness my happiness.” He spoke the words with a memorable Castilians, and I had to swallow past the tightness in my throat.
“Wait. Is this—”
“Allow me to introduce you. Luis Acebo y Ibarra, meet Epic.”
“Epic?” Luis’s brows rose. “Short for Epictetus, I presume? Father of stoic philosophy?”
His expression was that of a cat toying with a mouse, and I burned with anger on Epic’s behalf.
“Got it in one,” Epic answered. “Robert Epictetus Alsop. Pleasure to meet you.”
Luis nodded. “The pleasure is mine.”
I stared at Epic in shock. “EpictetusAlsop?Really?”
Epic shrugged.
“How are you enjoying your stay so far, Ryan?” Luis asked. “As I recall, you always wanted to spend time at this resort.”
“It’s lovely,” I said tightly.
Luis blew his smoke away and turned back with a sheepish grin. “William is making me quit after the honeymoon, so I must make the best of these last few opportunities to smoke.”
Epic slipped his arm through mine. “I’ve been waging a similar campaign with Ryan.”
I stared at him. “Good luck with that.”
“Ryan’s habits are very ingrained, you see,” Luis murmured. “There is his work, whatever it takes to support his work, and little else.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Epic rested his head against my arm. “I didn’t have to take his phone away while we were playing mini-golf today.”
Luis eyed me. “You don’t enjoy golf of any kind.”
“I don’t,” I offered. “But Epic wanted to go.”
I still didn’t know how he’d talked me into it.
“I see. Well, don’t let me keep you on such a lovely night.”
I hesitated, uncertain, but Epic drew me away. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Luis. My best to William.”
“Good night.” Luis saluted with his cigarette. The tip of which glowed faintly as he pulled back into the shadows.
When we were far enough away, Epic whispered, “That wasn’t awkward at all.”
“Was it?” I’d nearly died on the spot, but I didn’t understand why it might have been awkward for Epic.
“Of course it was. Oh my God, I’ve never been so blatantly dick measured in my life.”
“What’s this about your name? You’re really Epictetus? I thought everyone called you Epic because you’re--kind of—extra.”
