Free Culinary Delight by Christin Lovell Page A

stubble. I felt like I needed sunglasses when he smiled; I’d never seen teeth so white up close.
    “ Buenos dias, ladies. Welcome. My name is Carlos and I’ll be your server. What can I get you to drink?”
    “I’ll take a coke,” Rachel said. They both looked to me expectantly.
    “I’ll just take a water for now, thanks.”
    “Very well.” He nodded. He was just about to walk away when Rachel touched his arm.
    “Is Rico back there?”
    He was taken aback. “Yes. You know him?” A single brow quirked ever so slightly.
    “He’s friends with my husband.” Rachel beamed with pride. She practically glowed anytime she talked about Roger. They were high school sweethearts that survived the odds. Ten years after graduation, they were more in love than ever. Their two year old son Luca had the best parents…and godmother.
    “I will be sure to send him out before you leave.”
    “Thanks.” Rachel turned her attention to the menu. “They have amazing bread. They call it pan. It’s freshly baked and soft and delish.”
    I pursed my lips. “Did you secretly take a job advertising for them?”
    She narrowed her gaze at me. “You’re awful bitchy tonight. What’s going on?”
    I groaned. “I am. I’m sorry Rachel. It’s just they’re doing more cuts at the firm. I don’t know if I’ll even have a job come Friday, and the pendejo took off with most of my savings, so I’m just really stressed…and bitchy apparently. I am sorry though.” It was hard being an adult sometimes.
    She promptly closed her menu. “Girl, you know my door is always open. Rog and I will always be there for you.” They were great friends.
    I furrowed my brows, dropping my gaze to the table. “I know, but I’m almost thirty. When does the whole financial security piece of adulthood kick in?”
    She laughed. “Never. My parents still live paycheck to paycheck, and my dad’s fibromyalgia is only getting worse. Roger’s parents have a little in savings, but I don’t think it’s enough to retire anytime soon. ”
    I expelled a breath. “I know. It’s just frustrating. It’s been over a year, but I’m just now getting back on my feet.”
    “Here you are, ladies.” The sexy Spaniard set down our glasses as well as a full loaf of pan , piping hot from the oven. The smell alone made my mouth water. It was the first and was a welcome one at that.
    It was common practice for Puerto Ricans to go to the local bakery every morning and get a fresh loaf to eat throughout the day. It’s what I’d done with the ex when we were in his native country.
    Carlos cupped his palms together. “Did you have any questions about the menu?”
    “Nope. ” Rachel set her menu aside. “I’ll have the beef em-pay-nah-days.” She tried to sound it out as she spoke.
    I couldn’t help but chuckle at her incorrect pronunciation. I could only imagine how I sounded before I was immersed in the culture and language.
    Carlos merely smiled. “Of course.” He turned to me. “And for you?”
    “I’ll have the arroz con gandules y carne. ”
    His grin widened. “ Muy bien. I’ll put your orders in right away.” He collected our menus and left us alone.
    “Did I tell you about Lucinda?” Rachel tore off a chunk of bread and bit into it.
    I followed her lead. The bread warmed my fingers. “No. Is that the girl you were having problems with at work?”
    “Yes! Oh my gosh, but it gets so much better.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “Okay, so she was having lunch with this guy she’d apparently been dating for a couple months at the café in our building. I just so happened to be there and hot damn am I glad I was.” She was practically glowing with enthusiasm. “The guy and her a te at the table flirting, showing off, feeding each other, the whole nine when guess who walks in? Her boyfriend! She’d been two-timing them both!”
    “No!” I crammed another bit of bread into my mouth, listening closely.
    “Yes! I felt so bad for the second