Page 11 of Baja
“Sure. I can stay for a bit.”
“Great! Come up on the porch and take a load off while I bring us something to eat.”
I follow Ophelia up to the house and sit in one of the wicker chairs on the porch. When she returns several minutes later, she carries a tray with iced tea, sandwiches, and fruit. “I hope turkey and cheese is okay.”
Just then, as if in perfect timing, my stomach lets out a loud rumble. “Turkey is perfect. Thank you.”
Ophelia takes a seat across from me. “Looks like it will be just us two. I went inside and found Lorelei passed out on the couch.”
“I’m not surprised.” I chuckle. “She outdid herself today.”
A long silence passes between Ophelia and me as we eat our food before she finally speaks. “So, want to tell me what’s happening between you and Baja?”
I nearly choke on a grape. “Wh…what?”
Ophelia lifts a brow, her expression knowing. “You heard me.”
I fidget in my seat while avoiding eye contact. “I… well… what?”
“You and Baja. Something happened the other night at the clubhouse.”
“What did you hear?” I ask.
Ophelia shrugs. “Not much. The guys gossip like old church ladies, sometimes forgetting who might be around when they do, and people talk. You know, gossip spreads like wildfire.”
“What… what were they saying?”
Ophelia grins. “Not much. Just how Baja has it bad for a certain MILF. And how you two disappeared into his room during the party.”
“Oh my God.” I feel my face heat beet red.
Ophelia continues, “So, is there anything you want to tell me?”
I bury my face in my hands and groan. “It was nothing. A complete lapse in judgment that I’m sure Baja regrets. Especially now that the guys are poking fun at him.”
“Why in the world would you think he regrets anything?”
My head snaps up, and I blink. “Are you serious?” I shake my head. “Look at me. I’m a forty-two-year-old ex-con, and Baja is a twenty-something, sexy-as-hell man who could have any woman he wants. Of course, he regrets what we did.”
Ophelia narrows her eyes at me. “Are you kidding me right now? So, what if you’re forty-two? That’s not dead. And have you looked in the mirror recently? You, Alice, are a fucking knockout. And don’t you forget it.” Her face warms at her following statement. “As far as that ex-con bullshit goes, the people who know and care about you are aware of the sacrifice you made to protect your daughter.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Thank you.”
“I’m just calling it like I see it, doll. Any man, including a man like Baja, would be lucky to have a woman like you by his side. I’ve known Baja for a long time, and he’s a man of character. He also respects the hell out of women. He might be a notorious flirt, but there is no way he regrets what happened between you. Your daughter is his brother’s old lady, making you a part of our circle. He wouldn’t try to pursue you unless he was serious.”
I let Ophelia’s words sink in. “You think Baja is serious about me?”
She grins. “Absolutely.”
I slump back in my chair. “What would people even think? What would Sukie think?”
“Fuck what people think.” Ophelia pops a piece of sandwich in her mouth. “And as far as Sukie goes, I’m guessing she’d be happy as long as her momma is happy.”
“No.” I shake my head. “The idea of me and Baja is ridiculous. The other night was a fluke, a one-off. Nothing will come of it. This thing between me and Baja, it will blow over in a few days, and everything will return to normal. Besides, he’s probably forgotten about it by now.”
Ophelia snorts. “You are so full of shit, doll.”
I gape at her.
