Page 65 of My So-Called Perfect Life

She looks confused. “Your friend’s bar? Why not just Cohen’s?”

Raul’s place is nothing like mine. “Cohen’s is more of a modern type sports bar. Amigos is a whole different animal.”

She suddenly looks apprehensive. “Different animal how?”

I smirk as I round the corner into the alley where the back entrance to Amigos is. “You’ll see.”

Music spills into the alley as the door to Amigo’s kitchen opens.

Miguel, the chef, greets us first. “Ryan, hola!” He grabs Danielle and kisses her hand. “And who is the beautiful señorita?”

“Miguel, this is Danielle,” I say placing my arm around her shoulders. “Danielle, this is Miguel.”

Her cheeks blush. “Nice to meet you.”

Raul steps out of his office and his voice carries over the music “Miguel, stop harassing my friend’s date.”

“But she is much too beautiful,” Miguel winks before dropping her hand. Danielle’s cheeks redden even deeper. I pull her into my side as Raul crosses the kitchen.

He pulls me into a half hug while he kisses both of my cheeks. “It’s so good to see you, Ryan.”

“You, too, my friend.” I nod. “It’s been too long.”

“And who is this?” he looks down at Danielle who is watching the two of us with a thorough interest in her eyes.

“This is Danielle.”

She smiles at him and waves her fingers. “Hi. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for having us.”

“Never a bother. Let me take you out front, give you the VIP treatment.” Raul ushers us from the back door through the kitchen out onto the floor of the bar.

Danielle’s eyes widen in surprise when she catches a glimpse of Amigos.

At the front of the building is a stage where a very attractive woman in a red satin dress sings a magnificent melody in Spanish. Next to her, a man plays the saxophone on one side and on the other another man plays the keyboard.

“Wow, live music,” Danielle says with awe in her voice. Then she notices the people dancing all around the stage. “Look at them dance. They’re so good.”

“They will teach you, if you’d like,” Raul tells her.

She adamantly shakes her head. “Oh, no. No, thank you. I couldn’t move like that.”

“Lupe,” he calls out and one of the servers turns around. “Come here for a moment, por favor.”

Lupe hurries over and Raul takes the tray from her hands. “Danielle would like to learn a few steps.”

“No hay problema,” Lupe smiles. “Ven conmigo. Come with me.”

“But—” Danielle tries to protest but it’s no use. Lupe has her out on the dance floor before she can finish her objection.

“Is this one special?” Raul asks as we step over to the bar. My eyes stay glued on Danielle as she tries to follow the movements of Lupe’s feet and hips.

Raul pours two shots of Patrôn as he waits for my answer. “I’m not sure yet.” I swipe the shot from his outstretched hand and toss it back. “She could be.”

He tilts his head appraising my face for something. Secretly, I think Raul has some mind reading powers. “You’ve never brought anyone else here with you before?”

He’s right. “True.”

He raises a thick black eyebrow at me as he pours a second shot. “You don’t think that right there makes her special?”