Page 37 of Shadowed Obsession

César

9:38 p.m. | 26 minutes before ‘the second incident’

So, I dragged my boys Emiliano, Anthony, and Tyler out tonight. I work so damn much that they asked if I was okay when I invited them to hang with me. I suppose I’m not, since this outing doesn’t have a damn thing to do with workortaking time off. Deirdre is celebrating her birthday with her friends, and I’m keeping an eye on her. That’s all.

Speaking of, the lavender dress she’s wearing is hugging her lush curves in all the right places. The smile across her face is genuine, and for tonight, the sadness has dissipated from her usual demeanor. It’s refreshing to see her beaming around those who make her feel right at home.

“Shots!” my friend Tyler yells out as he greets the hostess carrying a serving tray loaded with rum shots. “Man, I thought you’d bumped your head when you hit us up earlier,” he teases.

“You look stressed. Here,” Emiliano says, grabbing two shot glasses and handing me one.

“Yeah, what’s gotten into you, C? You even dressed up. When’s the last time you got some?” Anthony asks before downing his own. So much for “cheers.”

If I told them why I came out, why I look stressed, and why I dressed up, the answer would be one name: Deirdre.

If I confirm that I am here tonight hoping to make a connection with a woman for sexual purposes, my constant staring will not be seen as weird but appropriate. Unless one of them realizes I keep staring at the same woman all night.

Tyler and Anthony have been my best friends for most of my life. I met Tyler back in grade school and Anthony in junior high. I met Emiliano in college when we were both studying criminal law, but for different reasons. He’s an esteemed attorney, and I’m nosy for a living. He’s also a Cartel prince, so of the three of them, he’d probably be the least shocked.

I know my friends are open-minded, and if I could tell anyone the ridiculous shit I’ve gotten myself into and never speak on it again, it’s Anthony, Tyler, Emiliano, andmi abuela.

Abuelahas always valued and cherished a good secret, while also enjoyingbochinche. Nowadays she says,“Tell me secrets. I’m old and need stories to entertain me in my grave.”Using death to guilt trip us into telling her our business is right on brand for her and not the least bit surprising.

“I mean, I wouldn’t mind meeting someone tonight. It’s been a few months and Tanya hasn’t visited in a while,” I lie, scanning the club as if I’m scoping the prospects.

Tyler scratches his beard before saying, “It’s been a minute since you mentioned her.”

“Tanya’s a lovely woman and our arrangement has been nice, but I don’t know. I think I want something more permanent.”

Also, a lie. I don’t want something permanent.

I’ll admit, Tanya is great, but she doesn’t keep me on my toes quite like my Doe.

“Y’all aren’t exclusive, so if you ask me—” Anthony adds.

“But he didn’t,” Emiliano chimes in, cutting him off. “If the casual thing isn’t working, there’s nothing wrong with trying something new.”

If only they knew.

“That’s all I was gonna say, but he just had to get the last word. Lawyer shit,” he says with a chuckle.

Tyler nods. “Agreed. You can date whoever you want. Tanya doesn’t want a relationship, so why not?”

“Have your fun,güey. The night is young, and we’re aging better than our classmates,” Emiliano jokes.

“I don’t know how with our demanding careers, but I agree.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” he adds, lifting his glass. “To César getting some tonight. Or whatever the fuck it is he wants.”

He shrugs, and we tap our glasses together.

“Salud,” we say in unison.

I tilt my head back and swallow the shot I’d been holding. I only make a twisted face for a moment. It’s been a while since I’ve been out with my boys.

I spot Deirdre in the crowd again, and it seems she’s been hiding from me. When she was distracted, I put her and her friends on my tab, ordered her a cherry smash, and tipped the bartender nicely. Asked her to use Divin whiskey only. A little nod to her family and her favorite fruit.

I shouldn’t want her to know that I am here, but would it be so bad if she did? Yeah, she could see my face, but I’m starting to wonder if that even matters anymore with how many lines we’ve crossed from the moment we discovered one another.

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