A Fresh Start
Chapter 15
oOoOo
Ranger's POV
Once again, Stephanie and I had breakfast almost at the same time, after our early morning routines. Even though we both run or walk along the boardwalk and the beach, our paths did not cross. My run took me further along the coast before I ran back along the beach. Then I swam in the ocean for a good distance, and back to where I started. It was so refreshing and energising. Surprisingly, as I looked at my reflection in a car window, while drying my hair, I was smiling. I was really looking forward to Stephanie's company. She didn't disappoint as she arrived with a glowing smile. A day in the sun will do that, but she looked radiant. Obviously, she too had a refreshing and energising start to her day.
Our waitress immediately brought the coffee over, smiling as she placed the milk and sugar on her table. This time I signalled for Steph to join me which brought out an appreciative smile as I pulled out a chair for her to sit beside me. Since I had already started, after a quick sip of her coffee, she dashed over to the buffet and selected her fruit.
"I slept like a log last night, but I woke up smiling," Stephanie remarked upon her return, while she was wrapping a thin slice of prosciutto around her melon. She was so engrossed in the wrapping process that she didn't realise she had a curious and captive audience, not from just me. I gave my rival a glare and he quickly turned away. She took a bite and hummed at the tasty combination of sweet and juicy with salty, licking her fingers from the juice of the melon. She rolled her eyes, enjoying the combination, then wrapped another slice of melon, offering it to me to savour. I smiled and took the offering. It was sensational, so I hummed my approval, earning me a gorgeous grin.
I had to agree, it was a delicious combination. Part of me wanted to lick her fingers but I restrained myself. Dios mio! I was curious what her hot breakfast option was going to be this morning. Sure enough, after her first coffee was down and her fruit selection devoured, she walked to the chef station, eager to see what today's special was. There was nothing wrong with her appetite. She maintained a trim figure as I have witnessed.
"This morning, I'd like the brioche French toast, please," she asked the chef, "with strawberries and banana, and some crispy maple bacon strips. The fruity brioche sounds so wonderful." The chef liked her choice and smiled at her exuberance. He looked expectantly at me. "I'll have the Huevos Rancheros, please." "Good choice sir. We'll bring them to your table."
We both grabbed a glass of juice as we slowly walked back to our table. That felt nice, "our" table.
"No cougars today," she chuckled with that mischievous glint in her eye after she glanced outside while nudging me with her elbow.
"Hm, about that cougar. You know you're in trouble for making me share that story. They kept chuckling about the toy boy idea. Yes, Rex, Mack and Horatio really did enjoy that. Thanks a lot."
"I know. I was a bad girl. But I needed to deflect and that's what popped into my head." Her cute false pout and puppy dog eyes was laughable. "I think you knew exactly what you were doing, Steph." She smirked at me.
Just then, our main courses arrived at the same time. Stephanie had that glazed look in her eyes as the junior chef had included a dish with clotted cream and an extra mini jug of maple syrup, much to Stephanie's delight. The crispy bacon strips had been artfully arranged on top of the fruit. Immediately grabbing one of the bacon strips, she wasted no time sampling her meal and was rapturous in her response. Dios Mio. This woman's moans head straight south and I find myself having to discreetly adjust myself. I am so glad she enjoys her food so much. I sample mine and we both nod in approval at our personal choices.
"Omigod. This is so decadent. I hope your eggs are as tasty as my French toast. They look good, but, I'm sorry, not, mine looks so much better!" She chuckled as she popped another mouthful into her mouth. Her lips are glistening with the maple syrup and strawberry glaze as I find myself distracted by her indulgence, especially when her tongue poked out to sweep the excess syrup and glaze inside. I smile as she grabs a bacon strip and nibbles on it heartily while holding it daintily.
Having breakfast with such pleasant company felt really nice. Nice? Did I really say nice? Well, I have to confess, it was pleasant and comfortable. Between sips of water as the waitress came over to top up our coffees, we empty our plates. Stephanie swipes a finger through the residual maple syrup. I'm tempted to grab her hand and lick her fingers myself. Whoa! I have to chastise myself for letting my mind roll into the gutter. She grins at me, completely uninhibited with licking her plate clean.
Sipping our coffee together, I wonder what she has planned for today. I feel I want to know and share her day. But I don't want to monopolise it either. She has things to do, as she said before.
"What are your plans for today?" I ask politely. "Like, do you have any job interviews?"
She smiles.
"No. Today is almost a rest day. No actual job interviews per se, but I do have some work to do. I have been doing freelance investigations for a couple of businesses, vetted by my trusted friend and my father."
"That sounds interesting. I'm curious. Are you working for one of the alphabet agencies? Forgive me if I am out of order. Freelance work. Hm. Do you have an office or a base from where you work?"
Stephanie grinned at my questions. I could tell she was considering how much to declare or disclose. Taking a sip of her coffee, she weighed the options.
"I work from where I am, like a mobile base. Call it remote investigations. I have an excellent set up, it's secure and I requested a room with a bigger safe so I could keep my evidence and investigations hidden, you know, the hard drives, but also my computers. I am presently doing background searches for a couple of companies, reputable companies. I have already investigated their credentials and they are endorsed and vouched for by my father, and my friend, who specialises in IT. He is presently working, in setting up a new system for the one of these companies, coincidentally, here in Miami. He was the one who followed me after that recon-pseudo interview with the child trafficking people. He is very protective and has taught me so many things." She smiles with that remark. "We were at college together, and were working partners for a cadetship after I graduated in Psychology, specialising in the criminal justice."
"That is really impressive."
She just shrugged her shoulders in a modest response. Now I am really curious. This IT specialist. Hm. He sounds familiar. Is it possible? I wonder. I need more information.
"Thank you. Coincidentally, he was the one who taught me how to speak Spanish so much better. I had done basic high school Spanish, but having someone to practise with made such a huge difference. In return, I helped him with his English, which in actual fact, was far better than my Spanish. I think he pretended not to be able to speak English. Also, he was the one who helped me improve my Latin dance. I loved it, since I failed at ballet when I was younger, so my Grandma took me to dance classes. Funny thing was, my mother only approved because she thought it was ballroom dancing. Had she known she would have stopped me going immediately. My mother called it "dirty dancing". Frankly, I found it very liberating. But, I digress. Most of all, because of certain traumatic and dire events, he strongly encouraged me to learn self-defence. It actually helped me resolve some of my latent anger issues in overcoming said events."
Oh, hell. That does not bode well. There is obviously more to tell, but this is not the time nor the place. Her mother seems to be a piece of work, given the slight change in the tone of her voice and that minuscule scowl with each mention of her mother. I don't need to know, unless she feels it is relevant, which presently, I cannot imagine these sort of things happening. Part of me wants to be there to support and protect her. I realise my feelings for here have strengthened the more time I get to spend with her. She must be very strong and resilient to come this far.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to open up past wounds." She just waved it off with one hand and a shrug.
"It's in the past. Water under the bridge."
Now, back to where we were in our discussion, I wanted to know something. My curiosity prevails and I have to ask the question that is on the tip of my tongue.
"Was he your boyfriend?" I asked tentatively, hoping she would say no, at the same time avoiding the other issues. Why did I not want her to have a boyfriend? That thought surprised even myself. Where did that come from? Was I feeling a tad jealous, or, dare I say, a bit possessive?
In response she smiled.
"Hector? No."
Ah, and there it is. What are the chances? Could it be a coincidence? The sly fox. A bit more disclosure, which I don't think she meant to reveal. She gave me a calculating look, knowing she had revealed more than she intended. She smiled as she sipped her juice, watching me with those captivating blue eyes.
"You just figured something out." It was a statement, not a question to which I responded by raising one eyebrow.
"Now I understand why you dance so well. I think I owe this Hector a special thank you," I tried to deflect. She wasn't buying it. Ha. She eyed me for a couple of long seconds, with a tilt of her head, glancing at me through her eyelashes, but let it go. I could tell she was rewinding what she had just said, her expression now pensive and curious. I could tell that she knew my response was a deliberate deflection. Let's call it a diversion, perhaps?
Keeping an open expression, I smiled thinking about the remarkable possibilities. Coincidence?
Perhaps.
Hector, her friend, not a boyfriend.
Hector, who speaks Spanish, taught her to dance, Latin dance, and, encouraged her in self-defence.
But, at the top of the list of remarkable possibilities was his expertise in IT.
Further to this, she just confirmed that Hector is presently working, in setting up a new system for one of the aforementioned reputable companies, coincidentally, here in Miami… the same company for whom she is doing freelance work. Holy shit. That would be one hell of a coincidence.
Moreover, she just said she had already investigated the credentials, of said reputable companies, which were endorsed and vouched for by her father, and her friend, Hector presumably.
I wondered about her father. Who is he? Was he also in IT, like Hector? No, perhaps not. The way she mentioned how he endorsed and vouched for one of these companies, or was she implying both? He must have high clearance, or something to be in the know as she intimated. He recommended her. Assuming that implies that he is military, presumably army. Probably still active. How interesting. The plot thickens.
She was watching me intently as I gathered my thoughts on this remarkable situation. Was it just a coincidence?
As if it was cued, her phone rang, interrupting both of our follow up thoughts. A quick check at the screen, but given the salsa ringtone, she knew who it was, clearly indicated by her radiant smile. My mind was reeling. What an asset she would be. Connecting the dots and filling the gaps, this was amazing. The possibilities had me excited. I watched her while she talked, her lovely lips turning into a warm smile as she listened, but her eyes were on mine. She mouthed an apology to me, "Lo siento," holding up a finger.
"Mi Hermano," she replied with a bright smile, "I was just talking about you and here you are." She didn't say much more, just listened and nodded, making those agreeable sounds that she was following the conversation.
Well. That must be her friend, Hector. Special ring tone and all. Que interesante.
Then it hit me. Is she feeding me crumbs? Her comments included having done a thorough investigation into these "reputable companies". Then she indicated a reputable company for whom she was doing freelance work? Madre Dios!
As she ended the short call, she smiled at me.
"I have a job interview this morning, which has good possibilities. It appears that my second job interview of sorts has been brought forward. Well, it is more a first time meeting, face to face."
There was an air of mystery about the way she declared that, given that mischievous grin as she nibbled her bottom lip.
"I'd better get changed. Got to look good. You never know. When opportunity knocks, it's time to open the door. Wish me luck. I might even get to meet the boss."
"Luck. You'll be fine."
She chuckled. Woah. Meet the boss even. My mind was reeling.
"I think you would be an asset, for the right company, with your exceptional accreditations and qualifications. I barely know you, but you have desirable practical skills, and from my perspective, you have made a very good impression. That's what it's all about. You certainly don't want another a company with creeps and sleazebags."
Her melodic laughter made me smile.
"Thank you, Carlos."
"De nada. Knock 'em dead. I also have some work to do. Perhaps we can meet for dinner, and you can tell me all about it."
"That sounds like a good idea. We have each other's phone details, so we can liaise. Oh, but of course. You have already made arrangements."
I was momentarily confused by her follow up remark.
"Ah. Yes. I'm sorry. Abuela. Are you still okay with that?" I grinned half in apology for the candour of my beloved grandmother with her direct invitation.
She smiled warmly. "Yes. I remember. I will be you novia."
Madre Dios! My heart skipped a beat at that. I will gladly take her up on that offer. She was grinning at me, watching my train of thoughts. Payback. I hit her with one of my 100 watt smiles, raising just one eyebrow. She laughed and rolled her eyes. Gotcha, Babe.
"By the way, do you have transportation?"
"I'm fine. Thanks. I am being picked up by my colleague."
I smiled. I wonder if that would be her colleague, Hector. This could be fun.
She sipped the last of her coffee, politely declining a top up from our waitress, but she left a tip for her with a smile. I escorted her to the elevators, waved goodbye and decided to arrange my afternoon schedule. I was so tempted to give her a peck on the cheek. It really was so tempting, especially after yesterday.
Instead, before going upstairs myself, I made valet arrangements for my car so I could visit the office. I'm a bit sad that this mini vacation is soon coming to an end, especially since meeting Stephanie. I'm hoping we get to see more of each other.
I am curious about this "reputable company", and then the face to face meeting for a second job interview that Stephanie has. First time meeting. That was an odd scenario. Was this also a reputable company? Could it be? Afterall, it is well known that Miami is a thriving hub of business both nationally and globally. There are many reputable companies. I can live and hope, and wonder.
oOoOo