Page 57 of Seasoned
Hector let out a laugh of disbelief. “My sweet Addie confronted someone?”
“I didn’t feel very sweet that day.”
Hector’s voice dropped. “I’m a little turned on by the badass version of Adelaide Flores.”
Adelaide let out a loud laugh. “It was a long time ago and I was hardly badass.”
“I like the idea of my woman getting jealous and keeping other women away.”
“Don’t expect me to do that anymore. Enough of that, how is the progress on the building?”
“Looking good, and my meetings are going well, too. Everything is on schedule so far.”
“I can’t wait to see the finished product.”
“I can’t wait for you to see it, either. I’ll take you out there one day.”
“I’d like that.”
They were getting closer. Talking and sharing in a way they hadn’t in a long time. What had happened to them? Where did they go wrong and drift apart?
“I better get off this phone. I’ll call you Saturday. Have fun Friday night.”
“I will. Good night.”
8
Hector hung up the phone.
“You’ve been smiling more than usual lately.”
The comment came from the doorway where Martin, his best friend and partner at Solar Beams, stood. They founded Solar Beams fifteen years ago. After a rocky start, their hard work and sacrifice paid off when they became the largest installation service in the county.
Hector grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and walked toward his friend. “Life is good. I’m on my way out for drinks with my best friend and partner. What’s not to smile about?”
Martin raised his eyebrows and followed him out of the office. “I like this new Hector,” he said with a laugh.
They drove separately to Seaport Village, a dining and shopping complex near the waterfront. Hector hadn’t been there in a long time—last time with Adelaide, a date night of salsa dancing, chips, and one too many margaritas.
They found a seat at one of the bars and ordered beers, wings, and calamari.
“I really needed this. I didn’t realize how long it’s been since I’ve gone out for drinks,” Hector said.
“I hear you. It’s been a minute.” Martin clinked his glass filled with rum and Coke against Hector’s whiskey and took a sip. Then he let out a satisfied groan.
Martin was a fun guy with dark brown skin and a big personality. They met in the early years of Adelaide and Hector’s marriage. At the time, Hector had been working two jobs. During the day, he worked at a solar installation company with Martin, installing solar panels and selling solar-powered lighting and other items. At night, he stocked shelves in a department store.
Martin had come across as having a rather devil-may-care attitude, and Hector didn’t think they had much in common. Martin was always joking around and was the loudest guy on the sales floor, but every month he landed at the top or near the top of the sales charts.
Hector always made his quota but was more interested in being an entrepreneur and usually had his head stuck in books on the subject of business ownership. One day, Martin stopped by his desk and asked about the textbook he pored over during lunch, and they hit it off when they learned they were both newlyweds and had babies at home.
“Paula told me she spoke to Adelaide the other day and mentioned you’re going to be a grandfather. Is that why Danny needed a job?”
“Yeah, and I’m still getting used to the idea that my kid’s going to be a father.”
Martin adjusted the black-framed glasses on his nose. “When’s the baby due?”
“Less than six months.”
