Page 3 of Dreams That Bind Us
"Here's your order," Maria placed a white bag and two coffees at their table. "Rico said he'd be out in just a minute." She looked pointedly at Annette's stomach. "How are you feeling?"
Annette immediately brightened as she laid a protective hand over the slight bump. "Much better! I think I'm over that morning sickness hump. Now, I could eat just about everything in sight."
Maria clapped her hands. "Yay! I'm so happy for you and Gus. Every time we see him, he talks nonstop about the baby." She dropped a hand on Annette's arm. "Well, and you too, of course. But he's wanted to start a family for so long and now he finally has it."
"I know what you mean, Maria.” Annette rolled her eyes. “He’s so excited, he started singing to my stomach last night. He said the baby can hear him."
"That sounds exactly like something he'd do. I’ve never seen him happier than he was at your wedding. I’d swear he was crying." Maria giggled. Her gaze skipped to James and a small vee appeared between her brows. "Well, I'll just be going." James watched as she scurried away, slowly sipping his coffee.
Annette shot him a glare. "Did you have to scare her off?"
"I didn't scare her off."
"Are you serious right now?" Annette snatched her phone from the table and snapped a picture, then turned it around to show him. "Look at yourself. You were glowering like this the entire time she was talking to me. You look like an ogre."
James nearly recoiled at his picture. He had to admit she was right. His face was red and scowling, his hair sweaty and standing on end. Not his best look.
"I'm sorry." He deflated in a huge sigh. "I just need some sleep. I'll be better after that.
"You probably need to eat, too." Annette opened the bag and pulled out a croissant sandwich, placing it in front of him. "Here. This will help for now."
James took a bite and moaned as the savory flavors of buttery pastry, ham, and cheese blended into a beautiful taste melody. He hadn't eaten since the evening before, which probably added to his overall grouchiness. "Damn, this is good."
"Right?" Annette closed her eyes as she chewed. "If I hadn't already married Gus, I swear I'd propose to Rico's chef. The guy works a miracle with food. You should try his donuts. They make angels cry."
"I have a toxic relationship with donuts, so I'll pass on that, thank you. And I think Gus would have a thing or two to say about you marrying someone else."
"What's this about you marrying someone else?"
James blinked at the scowling, hulking man hovering over their table, a large paper bag under his arm.
"Hey, Rico." Annette gestured toward James with her sandwich. "I was telling James if I hadn't married your brother, I'd propose to Juan in a heartbeat."
Rico plopped the bag onto their table and folded his arms across his massive chest. "This guy is right. Gus would have a problem with that."
"Oh! Do you two not know each other?" Annette waved her finger between them. "James Armstrong, this is Rico Reyes. He's Gus's brother and he owns this place. Rico, this is James. He bought The Majestic. Jack and Gus are rehabbing it for him."
Rico bobbed his head. "Yeah, I know," he replied, offering his hand. "I saw you at the wedding."
"That's right." James stood and shook his hand. "If I remember right, you were a favorite with the ladies of the Royal Conch Society."
Annette giggled. "That's an understatement."
Rico was unperturbed, shrugging as he ran a hand down his chest. "I can't help it that women love me." He swiveled on his heel and disappeared into a nearby building.
"Oh, good lord." Annette snorted. "Well, I need to get back to Paradise West. I'm covering the desk for the next couple of hours."
James crammed the rest of his sandwich into his mouth and stood. "Give me that." He grabbed the bag before she could. "I'll walk you there."
"Okay. But don't forget your coffee. It would be a shame to waste it. It's literally the best on the island."
James hummed and took a long sip. Annette wasn't wrong. It was the best he'd ever had, and considering he'd lived in NewYork City most of his life where coffee was an art form, that was saying something.
"Go that way," Annette said behind him, pointing to the left. "We can cut through this alley. It's shorter. But be careful where you step. Sometimes drunk people stumble in here from Duval Street and use it as a bathroom."
"Ugh. That would ruin my day." His eyes scanned the ground as they cautiously navigated through the narrow passage. He held his breath as the dank air and distinct scent of urine reached his nose.
Approaching the end, he glanced over his shoulder as he rounded the corner. "Okay, I think we're clear."
