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“I don’t believe we have met; I am Natalie.”
Marco grinned at her, “Hi, I’m Marco.”
“He’s a friend of mine,” Julio hurried to say as he moved to her side.
Natalie smiled at Marco, “It’s nice to meet a friend of Julio’s that isn’t a business associate.”
Marco’s smile fell, and Julio winced.
“Oh,” this time, it was Natalie who was embarrassed. “I meant no harm. I am sure you are good at what you do.”
Marco smiled again. “I am a father, and like Julio, I am retired from the other stuff.”
Natalie looked from Marco to Julio, “Did you know each other then?”
Marco nodded, “Yes, and although I have been in the habit of calling him Boss, I actually worked for his cousin Jennings. Hey, you wouldn’t happen to know that PI Jackson, would you?”
Julio choked out, “They work together.”
Natalie gave him a funny look, “Yes, I do work with a man named Jackson, but he has been on assignment for some time.”
Marco rolled his eyes, “Assignment my ass, the man has been eating me out of house and home. It’s a good thing he is so good with the girls. The man loves homemade Mexican food, and my Gina makes the best.”
Natalie looked from Marco to Julio and back again.
“How does Jackson know you?” Natalie asked.
Marco saw Julio’s stricken face and made something up, “Oh, we go way back!”
Natalie nodded as if it all made sense.
Julio was terrified she would put together that the person Jackson had been working for was himself. But she surprised everyone by saying, “I would love to try that homemade Mexican food sometime!”
“How about tonight?” Marco offered. “It’s Taco Tuesday. You haven’t tasted tacos unless they are authentic.”
Natalie shrugged, “Are you sure I wouldn’t be imposing?”
“Nah,” Marco shook his head, “Gina loves to have people over.”
Natalie took a deep breath, “Why not? It’s an offer that’s too good to resist. What can I bring?”
“Can I come?” Julio croaked out.
Marco’s smile deepened. “Boss, you are always welcome, you know that.”
“Will it bother you?” Julio asked Natalie, watching every change in her expression.
She colored but didn’t look horrified. It dawned on Julio that they were having a conversation that didn’t involve hatred and dirty looks. Granted, Marco was there as well, but it was a start in the right direction.
“Let’s get off this roof. I’ll call Gina and tell her about the change in plans. Miss Natalie, would you happen to know the name of a local repairman?”
Natalie’s grin widened, “That’s what I was coming up to tell you. It seems that a concerned citizen saw the two of you up here and called Knox. To make a long story short, a repairman is coming to replace the unit. This one is beyond fixing at this point, but I appreciate you both trying.”
“In trouble with the law while you’re trying to do a good thing, Boss. That has to be some kind of record!”
Julio punched Marco playfully, who ducked out of the way, and then he glanced up to see Natalie watching him. She didn’t look away when their gazes met, and suddenly it felt a lot warmer up on the hot roof.
“I need a shower,” Julio blurted out. And he did, not only to cool off but to get himself together. This was his chance, and he couldn’t screw it up.