Page 58 of Meant to Be

Darla:I found two more locations for you. Let’s schedule a time to visit them.

It was my realtor. I hesitated to respond. I’d all but forgotten about my supposed search for a permanent home. The thought of leaving Joshua’s place weighed heavily on me. But it probably was the right thing to do. I sent a quick text in response, requesting we go visit the places sometime the following week.

“Oh my goodness, he’s coming over!” Andrea squealed next to me like a high schooler.

“Who? What?” I turned, staring at her, putting my phone down.

She expertly flipped her long, shiny dark hair over her shoulder, giving whoever she was attempting to attract a sultry look.

It must’ve worked because while I was still staring at Andrea, to my right I heard, “Is this seat taken?”

The male voice was smooth, almost like a caress. Before even looking I could tell he was the type women swooned over.

I turned my head to see a man looming over our table. His dark eyes sparkled mischievously as they penetrated Andrea’s own gaze. He was handsome—dark hair, dark brown eyes, fit physique that reached over six feet.

“Sure thing, Don,” Andrea commented.

His brows wrinkled for a second and he glanced down at his own shirt. “Department just changed our uniforms. I forgot my name’s now prominently displayed. Not fair you know my name and I don’t know yours.” He grinned.

“Andrea.”

I blinked at Andrea. The woman was literally swaying in her seat a little. I grinned. I understood the feeling as I picked up my phone to check the time.

“This is my colleague, Dr. Reyes,” Andrea introduced.

I glanced up from my phone, meeting Don’s gaze.

“A doctor? You might have to get my heart restarted since Andrea here’s giving me palpitations,” Don slyly stated, covering his heart with his right hand.

“I’m off the clock. I’m sure one of your fellow brothers in here will be happy to get your heart restarted,” I teased, starting to feel a little more at ease. Don seemed harmless, and the fact that Joshua would be there in ten minutes gave me a sense of comfort. He was never late.

“I’m offended, Doc.” Don’s face turned to one of mock hurt.

“Give it a rest, Donnie. The beautiful doctor doesn’t want to be worried about your bullshit,” another deep voice entered the conversation.

Holy moly!I thought as my eyes landed on a pair of green-hazel eyes, framed by the longest natural eyelashes I’d ever seen on a man or woman. This man was a few inches taller than Don, and was a little broader, but he adorned the same dark blue, short sleeve top that Don had on. My eyes lowered, reading the name emblazoned on his shirt. Emmanuel.

“Screw you, Emmanuel. Fucking newbies,” Don grumbled.

“New my ass. Anyway, Doc, please don’t let Donnie here get to you. He’s an acquired taste. Encantada de conocerte.” His eyes languished on my face, wrinkling at the sides as he smiled.

“Mucho gusto.” I nodded.

His smile grew.

I shifted in my seat when Emmanuel pulled out the chair directly across from me. He was nice to look at, and charming, but he wasn’t the man I wanted sitting across from me.

“Speak English. Andrea here is feeling left out,” Don stated.

Emmanuel never broke his gaze from me.

“Hablas espanol. De donde eres?”

“Mi mama es Puertorriqueño y mi papa es de La Republica Dominicana,” I answered in my parents’ native tongue. While my mother grew up in New York City, she was originally born in Puerto Rico and my father came over from the Dominican Republic when he was a teen.

“Interesante.”

I nodded. I could tell Emmanuel wasn’t from either country. By his Spanish accent, I guessed that he was actually Spanish.