Page 17 of Mr Best Friend's Brother Grump

“Hi, Nathan! How nice to see you! And what a surprise,” is all I can say.

I sneak a sideways glance up at Nathan, hoping he doesn’t notice. He looks incredible. Fit. Tanned. Healthy. Not hungover or suffering in any way. Why, oh why does he have to be so damn gorgeous? It’s not fair.

I show Alfie and Nathan around the center and introduce them to the wonderful people here who keep things going: the paid and the voluntary. Pretty soon, I forget I have made myself ill and I'm surprised by actually enjoying the morning. I feel very proud of the center and what it stands for. And I do my best to honor that.

Alfie wants to know about the dance studio upstairs, so we take a detour.

Raul is practicing on his own and doesn’t mind the intrusion. He’s one of my teachers and has won a load of competitions all over the place. He’s telling our guests about the history of Cuban music and why he dances. Then, he turns to me and says, “Rosa. Ven.”

After my initial shock and protestations have worn away, I take Raul’s hand and let his experienced body guide mine. The music carries me and, without conscious thought, my feet step in time through the basic back and forth, side to side, then on to more advanced complex moves. Raul’s expertise means I don’t need to think: I just follow. Dancing with Raul is magic. I am light. My movements are free and easy. We spin and Raul twirls me out to the side, then pulls me back into his embrace. I want to dance forever. I am so happy.

When the music stops Raul pulls me in for a final dip. My arm extends over my head as he supports me before I regain a standing position to finish. Raul kisses my hand and I’m laughing. When I look up, Nathan is watching. He smiles and doesn’t look away.

Chapter 14

Nathan

Outside the center, Rosa, Alfie, and I stand together on the street. It’s been a great shoot. I have so much material. My job is going to be hard choosing what stays and what goes. Rosa says how much she appreciates us coming to see the center and says she’s looking forward to reading all about it when the story goes to press.

“It’s scheduled in a couple of weeks, but I’ll email you the date when it’s set in stone. You never know. It all depends on the editor,” says Alfie, hitching his bag onto his shoulder. “Right then. Rosa. It’s been a pleasure and I wish you all the best. We’ll be in touch… Nathan. Do want to head back to Manhattan, or…”

Alfie’s question hangs in the air for a minute. “Ah, thanks, Alfie. I’m going to…” I absentmindedly sweep my fingers through my hair as I think about what to say. “You go ahead.” We hug. “I’ll see you soon, okay?” Alfie smiles and waves as he walks off to find a cab leaving Rosa and I standing together outside the Cuban community center. I look at Rosa, who seems distracted although shows no signs of moving away, so I say, “I’m free for the rest of the day. Would you like to have lunch? With me?”

Rosa’s eyes dart at mine. They blink as if I have just offered her a week’s holiday in Bermuda. Then she smiles broadly and says, “Yes, that would be nice. Just give me one minute… I’ll get my things.” She ducks in through the door, says something to the receptionist as she rushes past, down the corridor. In a moment she’s back out on the street with me.

She says she knows a friendly place close by, so we head there, side by side.

I get the feeling she is shy. We don’t talk much on the way to the small, family-run restaurant in a back street behind the center. Rosa greets the counter staff when we go in. We take up position at a table for two near the window.

“So,” I begin, picking up a menu and casually casting my eyes across the lines of text, not really reading, but needing a prop and something to do. “This is your local. What do you recommend?”

“Well. Everything!” Rosa laughs. “It depends on what you want in this exact moment.” Her dark eyes meet mine briefly before she looks down at her menu. She smiles shyly.

“You know what? It all looks good. I’ll let you order for both of us.”

The waiter comes over and Rosa chats to her in Spanish. I can follow the gist of the conversation but zone out because I can’t keep up. We order drinks and Rosa reads a selection, looking across to me for approval.

“Okay… let’s have one bacon wrapped cassava, with the cilantro aioli and some fried plantains with the churrasco. These are delicious… and one guacamole and one chicharroncitos de Puerco, that’s pork. Are you okay with that?”

“Sounds great! I’m starving.”

“And we must have the chorizo salteado and…” Rosa scans the menu biting her lower lip. “… and pechuga de pollo empanizada…” She hums and then says, “I think that’s all. Gracias.”

The waiter takes the menus and now I don’t have a prop to use. I realize that I’m probably not very good at this sort of thing, but I want to find out all about Rosa. She is so much more than my sister’s friend. I admire her for coming to New York, only knowing one person, and making a go of it. I take out my phone and turn it off. I don’t want to be disturbed by anyone. The waiter comes back with coffee for Rosa, a carafe of water, and two glasses. She pours the water.

“Salud,” says Rosa as she lifts her water glass and smiles at me.

“Salud. Cheers.” We each take a sip, then Rosa asks me about my trip.

“A Hawaiian island, Lanai. There’s a beautiful hotel that’s opening soon. And I was lucky enough to be picked to take the promo photos for the website.”

“That’s so cool. You get to go all over the place.” Rosa drinks her coffee.

“Yes. I love my job. It’s great getting paid to travel. I feel very lucky.”

“I’d like to travel," Rosa says wistfully. "I have a whole long list of places I’d like to visit.”

“Ah yeah? What’s at the top of your list?”

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