Page 8 of Mutual Discord

I had just been escorted by the hostess to our table when my phone chimed. It was a text from Denise, apologizing because she wouldn’t be able to make it to dinner. Her sister needed babysitting help, and Denise would never turn down the chance to spend time with her nephew and niece. I shot back a quick reply telling her I’d fill her in on everything going on with Caitlin later and then smiled at the server, who asked for my drink order.

My mojito was a quarter gone when I saw Caitlin’s blond head through a break in the crowd. I jumped to my feet and waved my arm, chuckling when Caitlin shrieked a laugh and made a beeline directly for me. In her sleek black trousers, blue striped blouse, and wedge sandals, her lustrous blond hair falling in beachy waves around her pretty face, she looked the picture of stylish perfection. Was it any wonder she boasted four million social media followers who waited for her next recommendation with bated breath?

“You look stunning,” Caitlin cried as she threw her arms around my neck.

“I was just thinking the same about you.” I squeezed her tight, inhaling her familiar floral perfume. “How are you?”

“I’m fantastic.” Caitlin pulled back but kept her hands on my shoulders. Her expression was alight with happiness. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

It was then that the crowd shifted and my gaze collided with a familiar pair of chocolate-brown eyes. My brain short-circuited for a second as it took in the firm jaw, the full lips, and the black hair that fell almost boyishly across his forehead. The only thing missing was his glasses, and without them as a barrier, his gaze was sharp as a blade as it coasted over my face.

Unaware that I was having a mini heart attack, Caitlin turned to the man who’d come to stand next to her and looped her arm through his. “Sofia, this is Alex. He just moved to Phoenix for a new job, and, of course, I told him he had to meet you. Alex, this is Sofia, my ride or die since college.”

Panic threatened to explode in my chest, and I could barely draw in breath. A was with Caitlin? Since when? I stared dumbly at A—no, Alex—as he slowly arched a brow and smirked, that deep dimple winking at me. “S like Sofia. It’s nice to meet you.”

Holy shit.

Somehow, out of sheer tenacity perhaps, I extended my hand to him. “Alex, it’s nice to meet you, too.”

His large, warm hand engulfed mine, and he held my gaze as he squeezed it. Should I say something? Acknowledge to Caitlin that we knew each other? But then I’d have to explain how I knew him, and did I want to explain everything now? My eyes searched his, unsure of what to do. But all I saw in Alex’s gaze was the same surprise that made it hard for me to draw a breath.

I jerked away my hand as soon as Alex released me, flexing my palm. “Why don’t you two have a seat,” I murmured, sinking onto my chair as if an anchor was tied around my waist.

For the first time I realized how small the table was. The restaurant wasn’t large, and the tables were situated tightly together, which made it easier to hear above the upbeat music pulsing from the speakers. But I didn’t realize how close that would make us until Alex’s knee nudged mine under the table. Like I had been bit by a snake, I would have reared back if the wall hadn’t been directly behind me. As it was, Caitlin laid a hand on my arm, her eyes wide.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Nodding, I pushed my chair back just a tad. “The chair pinched my toe.”

Without permission, my eyes slid to Alex, who glanced back at me with a ghost of a smile on those full lips of his. Mine flattened in turn.

I was saved from further embarrassing myself when the server appeared to ask for their drink orders.

“I’ll take a club soda and vodka, and he’ll have…” Caitlin glanced at Alex, who was staring at the bar and not the menu.

“A glass of El Dorado 15, please,” he said succinctly.

Unconsciously, I dropped my gaze to my half-finished mojito. It had El Dorado rum in it, too.

“That’s one of your favorite rums, right, Sofia?” Caitlin said, as if hearing my thoughts.

I nodded. “It’s really smooth.”

“I agree.” Alex cocked his head. “Is that what you have in your mojito?”

Finding my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, I instead raised my glass in acknowledgment.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Caitlin shift in her chair and I knew she was preparing her questions. But I was not about to spill my secrets in front of Alex.

“So how did you two meet?” I blurted out, looking first to Caitlin before slowly shifting my gaze to Alex. They looked so good together; Caitlin with her golden beauty and Alex with his handsome Latine features. I bit the inside of my cheek as a wave of envy swept over me.

My friend’s laugh was as charming as a wind chime. “The grocery store, of all places.”

“Really?” I asked.

Caitlin’s smile was bright as she looked at Alex. “I had just returned from Europe, and my fridge was empty. So I ran to Trader Joe’s and bumped into Alex while I was comparing two bagged salads. We started chatting and he asked to grab coffee.” She chuckled again, her straight white teeth flashing. “Obviously I said yes.”

“Obviously,” I murmured, hastening to take a sip of my mojito to wash away the bitter taste in my mouth.