Page 18 of Thiago

Maxwell swore, grabbed a napkin from the table, and wiped vigorously at his mouth. “Is it gone?”

“No.”

“Here, let me…” Skye took the napkin and dipped it in the glass of water in her hand. Then she carefully removed the lipstick evidence from Maxwell’s skin. “Better.”

“Thank you,” he said with a sigh.

“Please tell me you’re not balancing multiple women here tonight,” Thiago said.

“Okay, I won’t tell you. But if I were to tell you, I’d say there are two.” Maxwell’s eyes jumped around the room, searching.

“Why in the world did you invite two women to the engagement party?” Ethan demanded.

“I didn’t. One assumed she was invited and showed up, the other one I actually invited.” Maxwell frowned. “I’m screwed.”

“In a manner of speaking,” Thiago quipped, putting a phyllo cup in his mouth.

“Dr. Santana, care to tell me how you have time to date multiple women with your schedule as a resident?” Skye asked, looking genuinely perplexed.

Maxwell was almost finished with his medical residency and had already started his job search to have a position lined up when he completed his training.

“It’s not easy, believe me. Oh damn.” He ducked. “Gotta run,” he said, darting away.

“This is going to be an interesting night,” Ethan said, watching his brother disappear among the crowd.

Thiago and Skye laughed.

“Have you seen Audra?” Thiago asked.

“She was over near the bar earlier, talking to Ignacio and Bruno,” Skye replied.

“I need to find her.” She had promised to pick up a gift and put his name on it, but he hadn’t had a chance to follow up with her.

He scanned the room. “There she is. Excuse me.” He put down his plate.

Sidling past a few guests, he walked up to Audra. Unlike Monica, who was thin, Audra was short like his stepmother and had a thicker figure. She was chatting with Aunt Florence, a spunky older woman who never went anywhere without sometype of headpiece. Tonight, she wore an elegant cream statement piece with a wide brim and structured crown, adorned with a delicate bow and layered fabric flower. It was the perfect match for her cream and gold ensemble.

“Hello, Aunt Florence,” he greeted her.

“Hello, Thiago.” She looked behind him, as if searching for someone. “You came alone?”

He groaned inwardly while Audra stepped back and covered her mouth to hide her laughter.

“Yes, I came alone.”

“A handsome young man like you should have a lady on your arm to attend events. You do like ladies, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do,” Thiago said, fighting to keep the weariness from his voice.

“Thought I’d check. Things are different nowadays. There’s no shame if you want to bring a young fella to the party. How old are you, dear?”

He didn’t want to answer, but it would be rude to ignore her.

“Thirty-four.”

“Thirty-four? Well, you’re getting up there, aren’t you? You have the job, now you have to get a family. Everyone else is getting married and having kids. You’re a man, so you don’t have the same concerns about your biological clock, but at least a wife?—”

“Do you mind if I borrow Audra for a few minutes? I need to talk to her in private.”