Page 87 of The Layover

He stepped forward. “Thank you everyone, for coming.” We’d have to translate for our American friends when we were done. “We’ll make this brief, and then the first course will be served. This is something Diego and I have wanted for a long time, and we wouldn’t be here without support from all of you. We’re so very excited for this next part of our lives.”

The sentiment of Raul’s words lodged in my chest, and clogged my throat with emotion. When he paused and looked at me, I didn’t have anything better to add, so I said, “Enjoy your meal. This is the first of many.”

I gave Raul a long, sweet kiss, to the applause of the room, and lightly smacked his ass as I sent him back to the kitchen.

When I returned to the table, Kandace and Joystick had joined us. The conversation was a combination of Eloise’s stories and Joystick’s as we worked our way through each course. Raul joined us when the main dish was served, but the topics didn’t change much. I couldn’t help but glance at Carly every few seconds, to make sure she was real and to confirm that she was here with us. But the company wasn’t the kind where I could say the things to her I wanted to.

There was time, though. For now, we’d enjoy this success, this closeness with our entire family, and later we’d enjoy a different kind of closeness with Carly.

Because now that she was here, I was never letting her go. She belonged with us, all three of us, and nothing could feel more right than having her here tonight.

31

Raul

I was practically giddy that Carly was here. Tonight. Longer. The way Eloise brightened up, and Diego’s non-stop smile, made her being here even better.

The evening was a huge success. The food would’ve been better if I’d made it personally, but it was good, and the company—being surrounded by our friends and family like this—was amazing. Everyone was complimentary of both the building and the meal.

After dessert was served, as everyone was leaning back from the table and conversation was fading, Kandace leaned in. “The two of you—three of you—did a brilliant job. I can’t wait to see you expand, and I knew working with you was the right decision.”

Of course it was. I’d save the ego for another time. “Thank you.”

“And on that note,” Kandace smiled and pushed her chair back, “I’m going to leave you for the night. Congratulations, gentlemen.”

“Hang on.” Joystick covered her hand where it rested on the table. “It’s the perfect time of night for a teensy bit of sightseeing. Would you like to see something incredible?”

Carly covered her mouth, but I knew she was hiding her amusement because I was thinking the same thing; was he serious?

Joystick raised his brows, but he kept his attention on Kandace. “I’m serious. It’s touristy, but I think you’ll love it.”

“I don’t know…” Kandace hadn’t pulled her hand away.

I wouldn’t send our benefactor off with some random person, but spending the last few weeks with Joystick, I knew he was as sincere as he appeared. “He’s seen a lot since he got here, and he’s not as jaded as we are.”

“I’ll be here late tonight,” Carly added.

“I figured.” Kandace worried her bottom lip. “Okay, I’d love to.”

Joystick and Kandace’s departure was just the start. The remainder of our guests trickled out as well. When my mother came to collect Eloise for the night, since Raul and I had planned to stay late to oversee clean-up, Eloise turned to Carly.

“Will you be at my house in the morning?” Eloise asked.

When Carly said yes, my heart cheered as loudly as Ellie did. She gave Carly a hug, and ran to join her Nonna.

And then everyone else was gone except me, Diego, Carly, and the staff tasked with helping to clean-up. If we were home, I’d say fuck it and leave the rest of the mess for morning. But we weren’t, so I couldn’t.

“How can I help?” Carly asked.

Diego shook his head. “No. Not in that dress.”

“I could take it off,” she offered with a teasing smile.

Studying her, I pretended to consider the offer. “I do have an apron that you’d look incredible in, especially with nothing underneath… But no. We need everyone else doing their jobs. Your ass is for our pleasure only.”

“That came out way wrong.” Carly didn’t look bothered.

“But did it?” I asked.

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