Chapter 4

      “I can’t believe I lost,” Danni said for the third time that morning. She could still see the look of accomplishment on Jaleen’s face last week when he’d won the game. Even worse, he’d had the nerve to do a happy dance around the dining room table, chanting that he’d won.

      She would have thought his excitement was flattering had she not been a nervous wreck ever since that night. When he’d called to ask if she was free the entire Sunday, her initial thought had been to decline an all-day date. But the Jaleen she knew would never plan to spend all day with a woman, so she’d accepted out of curiosity. Four days after accepting, she was still nervous.

      She glanced at her outfit in her bathroom mirror. Jaleen hadn’t given her a dress code, so she’d chosen to wear her favorite lavender romper and beige wedges. Instead of tying her hair up, she let her soft curls flow around her shoulders. Just as she lifted her eyeliner to apply some light makeup, a loud noise echoed through the wall.

      “Oh, crap,” she said as she dropped her eyeliner in the sink. Orchestra music rebounded off her walls from the condo next door. When Summer had moved in with Aiden, Danni had accepted Summer’s offer to rent her condo. Danni had lived there with Summer for a short while when she’d initially moved to Miami, so she was familiar with most of the neighbors. Unfortunately the one she shared a wall with was the hardest to get along with.

      “Mr. Higgins,” she said, banging on the wall. “Can you please turn down the music?” She’d thought they had an understanding after their last chat a couple weeks ago. Apparently there was no getting through to Mr. Higgins.

      She reached into her drawer for the earplugs she’d purchased after one too many restless nights.

      She’d just finished her makeup and taken out her earplugs when there was a knock at the door. “Hi, Jaleen,” she yelled. “Come on in.”

      “Why is your neighbor’s music so loud?” he yelled back. “I was just about to call you because I’d been knocking for a while.”

      “Sorry about that. I had in earplugs. My neighbor Mr. Higgins loves to play his music loudly three days a week. I thought I’d get used to it, but it still catches me off guard.”

      “Oh, yeah,” Jaleen said with a laugh. “I think I remember Summer complaining about that guy one time.” He stopped laughing and looked her up and down.

      “You look beautiful,” he yelled just as the music stopped. They both laughed.

      “Thank you,” she said with a smile. “You look nice, as well.” He was wearing dark jeans and a blue shirt. “I’ve always liked you in blue.”

      A smile spread across his face. “Then I’ll have to remember that for the future.” She was sure he meant future dates, but just mentioning the word made her feel warm and tingly in places she had no business feeling warm and tingly. The music started back up, breaking the moment.

      “Let’s get out of here,” she said, grabbing her purse and sweater.

      Once they were in the car, her nervousness eased. “You know, the girls laughed when I told them about the bet.”

      “Considering our track record, I’m sure they did,” Jaleen said with a laugh. “But I’m really looking forward to today.”

      “Me, too. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

      Jaleen glanced from the road to her. “Did you bring an appetite, like I asked?”

      At the time she hadn’t known if he’d meant an appetite for him or an appetite for food. Luckily, she’d brought an appetite for both.

      Jaleen smirked. “Your mind is so dirty, Danni.”

      She waved her arms in innocence. “What? I didn’t say anything.”

      “Yeah, well, I can read what you’re thinking.”

      She observed him as he drove. “Probably because you’re thinking the same thing I am.”

      The rest of the twenty-minute drive was in silence. As they parked in a lot in Little Havana, Danni was still clueless about the day date.

      “Since you grew up in Miami, I’m assuming you already know where we are.”

      Danni turned to face Jaleen. “You remember that I grew up in Miami?”

      He opened his door and went around the car to open hers. “I remember everything you tell me,” he said as he helped her out the car. “Just like I remember that you’re a vegetarian.”

      Danni squinted. “Little Havana is known for its Cuban cuisine and doesn’t exactly have many vegetarian options.”

      “See, that’s where you’re wrong,” he said as she looped her arm in his. “I happen to have a friend who specializes in vegetarian Cuban cuisine.”

      “You’re kidding,” Danni said with a smile. “Why haven’t I heard of a vegetarian chef here before?”

      “Probably because she doesn’t advertise it. Her vegetarian dishes are by special request only.”

      “How do you know her?”

      “I flipped a house a few years back that she brought. She also gives cooking lessons out of the guest house on the property, so we kept in touch.” Jaleen led her to a small restaurant that already had people lining up on the sidewalk despite the fact it wasn’t even the afternoon yet. Instead of getting in line, they bypassed the people and entered the restaurant.

      “Jaleen, honey, so nice to see you again.” Danni unlinked Jaleen’s arm so he could hug the eccentric woman who was wearing about ten different vibrant colors. Danni knew exactly who she was and had watched her cooking shows when she was on the Food Network channel. Artemela Rojas wasn’t only known for her unique Cuban cuisine, but also her flamboyant personality and fun-loving spirit. There weren’t too many people who rendered Danni speechless upon meeting them, but Artemela was one of those people.

      “Hello, Danni. I’ve heard so much about you.” She pulled Danni in for a hug.

      “Nice...to...uh, meet you,” Danni finally got out. “I’m...so...uh, so honored.”

      A quick glance at Jaleen proved he was amused by the situation. “Artemela, Danni isn’t aware of everything we’re doing today and I’d like to keep it that way.”

      “Oh, I love surprises,” Artemela said, clasping her hands together. “We have to open the restaurant, but I have the perfect spot for you.”

      Danni and Jaleen followed her to the rooftop where there sat a table in the corner with the perfect view of Little Havana. Two mimosas were waiting for them and a plate of spinach empanadas.

      “Enjoy this appetizer while I get to work in the kitchen. Carlos will come check on you soon and I’ll be back up later.” After they both thanked Artemela, Danni was finally able to soak in what had just happened.

      “Oh, my goodness, I can’t believe I just hugged Artemela Rojas. She’s legendary here in Miami.