A Flighty Fake Boyfriend (Men of St. Nachos #2) - Z.A. Maxfield Page 0,28
danced on a small portable dance floor.
On the other side, a group of men sat around a long table arguing, drinking, and being served tiny plates of food by two discreet servers. Family got table service. The rest of the guests made use of the buffet.
Luis detached himself and came to greet us.
“Ryan, I’m so glad you decided to join us this evening. Epic, was it? Good to see you again. Come, join us. What will you drink?”
“Amontillado,” I answered.
Epic said, “Same.”
“I don’t need to ask for your identification, do I?” Luis teased.
Epic grinned. “I have it if you need it.”
“Of course not. This is a private party. At any rate, I have diplomatic immunity.” He waved us over to the table.
“You do not,” I pointed out.
“I should, don’t you think?” He winked. “If I want to serve wine to my family, I should be allowed.”
I should have probably googled the announcement of Luis’s wedding, but it felt like ripping off a scab at the time. William wasn’t what I expected. He was tall and svelte with the coloring of an elf from The Lord of the Rings. He had the grace of a dancer and a thin, sweet voice, but I didn’t like his smile when it turned on me. He wore a barrister’s smile.
“How do you do, Ryan? Luis has told me so much about you that I know we’re going to be great friends.”
“I’m sure. Pleasure to meet you, William.”
He turned to Epic. “And you must be Epictetus? Such an interesting name. I’m very pleased to meet you.”
Epic shook hands with him. “Thank you. Pleasure to meet you too.”
“Enjoy the evening, gentlemen. I’m sure we’ll have the opportunity to chat again.” He drifted away as if he wore skates.
Luis led us down the family table to introduce his brothers, Jorge, Jaime, and Salazar, and his uncles Juan and Jose Miguel. We smiled at everyone and nodded as we made our way to two empty chairs at one of several four-top tables set up for dining.
Though I tried to keep up, I lost half of the groomsmen’s names to the music. Epic seemed to pay closer attention.
Someone handed me a glass and a plate so I could pick and choose from any of several tapas-style dishes on the buffet.
At last, William and Luis stood at the head table, and we all toasted to their health.
I got a shock when, after the toast, Luis’s brothers Jorge and Salazar came to sit at our table. Jorge had always been a little standoffish, but Salazar was the baby of the family and prone to shenanigans.
“Good to see you again, Ryan.” Salazar lifted his glass to his lips.
“Nice to see you too.” I took two fiery prawns from my plate and passed them to Epic. “Your family is well I hope.”
“Very well, thank you.” He set his glass down. “I hope it’s not awkward for you to attend the wedding. There was some contention over whether to issue an invitation, but Luis and indeed William were insistent.”
“That’s very kind.”
“William puts up with much from my brother. The man is a saint.”
He might need to be. Epic offered me a saucy little meatball.
“The food is to die for.” His whispered words next to my ear sent shivers straight to my groin.
Once the party got underway, servers replenished each table with plates of tidbits. Epic smiled warmly at our server, who handed each of us a small glass of what I assumed to be gazpacho.
Epic said, “Thank you.”
The waiter winked.
“Are you still in Vancouver, Ryan?” Jorge asked.
“Yes, still with StolenLives.”
“Don Quixote with your windmills. I admire your fight.”
I sipped my soup. “You’ve always been a very generous benefactor, and I thank you.”
“Will you never settle down? Marry and build a family of your own?”
“It’s not in the near future,” I answered politely.
He turned his gaze to Epic. “And what do you do, young sir?”
“I wait tables at a restaurant called Bistro in St. Nacho’s.”
“How very American. Do you attend school?”
“Not right now.”
I watched and waited for Epic to mention that he’d finished school with an MFE, but he didn’t. He ate a meatball, smiled serenely, and turned to me.
“This is delicious. Try yours.”
I did as he asked. The meatball tasted wonderful—smooth, moist, flavorful meat in a spicy sauce. “You’re right. These are divine.”
“And the gazpacho is so yum.”
“My brother always serves the finest dishes.” Salazar picked up a meatball and popped it into his mouth. “He’s an incurable foodie. William indulges him, but soon