Island Affair (Keys to Love #1)(36)

“I sat a box of those heart-shaped pieces with beach scenes you asked me for on your lawn chair,” Enrique answered Freddie’s question, his curious gaze sliding from Sara to Luis.

“Sweet! Lemme check ’em out.” Their friend scampered back behind his booth leaving Enrique and Luis facing off, with Sara wishing she could melt into the group of shoppers nearby.

“Didn’t expect to run into you here. This isn’t your typical scene,” Enrique said.

“Just enjoying the nice weather before summer temperatures descend,” Luis answered.

“’Cuz all of a sudden the downtown crowds beat the privacy of the sunset view from your boat?”

Tension vibrated off Luis as he folded his arms across his chest, his fists clenched. The universally understood defensive, back-off pose. Sara cursed herself for following him over here and putting him in this predicament in the first place.

“I see you’re still trivializing your talent rather than capitalizing on it with a real showing,” Luis shot back.

“Maybe I’ll reconsider my choices when you start doing the same.”

Whatever Enrique’s jab meant, it must have hit home. Luis’s nostrils flared on a deep breath. His chest rose and fell, his mouth thinning as if he fought to hold back a retort.

Feeling like an interloper, despite the crowded pier, Sara edged closer to the older couple next to her. Thankfully, they moved on, making room for her to follow suit.

“And this is . . . ?” Enrique turned to ensnare her with his question.

Shocked, Sara’s gaze flew to Luis’s.

In the shadows of the waning sunlight, she caught his indecision. He hadn’t wanted his family involved with their deception.

Guilt climbed her throat to choke her, and she prayed he read the apology in her eyes.

Earlier today, Luis had carried the conversational ball like a Super Bowl champ. Chiming in when she’d clammed up in the backyard. Time for Sara to do the same for him.

Whipping out her best camera-ready smile and video blog upbeat attitude, she stuck out her hand toward Enrique. “Hi, I’m Sara. A friend of Luis’s.”

“A friend?” Enrique’s large hand engulfed hers, innuendo and disbelief dripping from his words.

Funny, despite his sexy, bad-boy vibe, lanky athletic frame, and heavy-lidded bedroom eyes, she didn’t get the same tingling sensation of attraction as when Luis simply looked her way.

“Yep,” she answered, gamely stepping into her role. “I’m in town playing tourist with my family. They’re scattered about this marvelously eclectic celebration. You have some beautiful pieces for sale over there.”

She gestured toward their friend’s booth behind them, all the while reminding herself of Luis’s advice.

Stick with the truth. Change the direction of the conversation toward someone else.

Now she added another trick: Get the hell out of the situation ASAP.

“Pick one you like. It’s on me.”

Enrique flashed a suave, come-hither smile Sara imagined had worked on many a charmed individual. Not her. Not when smoldering tough guy with a soft heart stood behind door number two.

“Thanks. It’s my first night here, so I’m waiting to take everything in before I decide what I absolutely can’t leave without. I’m limited to my carry-on bag. I appreciate the offer, though.”

“No problem. If you’ve got my saintly brother showing you the sights and making sure you’re taken care of while you’re here, you’ll be set. Right or wrong, he’s helpful that way.”

Again with the dig she didn’t quite understand. Enrique’s cryptic words had Luis straightening his spine. His scowl grew more fierce.

“Oye, play nice over there. Don’t you two go squaring off and frightening the paying customers away,” Freddie ordered from behind his booth.

For several tense seconds, the brothers held a grim-faced staring contest.

Then, with a muttered, “Whatever,” Enrique spun around. “Hold on to my cut of the sales, Freddie. I’ll settle up with you on Sunday.”

Without a good-bye for his brother or Sara, Enrique strode off toward the shadowy parking lot.

Luis remained where he stood. Shoulders straight. Jaw muscle tight. Anger emanated off him, and yet Sara sensed an aura of sadness lingering in the humid air.

The need to reassure him, as he’d done for her when Robin had pounced earlier, guided Sara closer to gently caress his back. He stared in the direction his brother had disappeared, lost in whatever memory or thoughts Enrique had stirred up.

Sara remained at Luis’s side, her palm warming as she rubbed soothing circles along his lower back and higher. His shoulders slowly relaxed, releasing their tension.

He blinked, then glanced down at her. The streetlight reflected in tiny gold circles in the black irises of his eyes. Surprise flashed in their depths as he seemed to come back from wherever he’d gone after his brother’s jab.

“Shall we go?” she softly asked.

Uncrossing his arms, Luis motioned for Sara to lead the way.

“I’ll see you around, Freddie!” Luis called out as he fell into step beside her.

The sprinkling of soft hair on his forearm tickled hers as their arms brushed. Their hands met, and Sara linked her fingers with his.

Without a word, they moved toward the mass of people standing along the pier, gazing at the sun, already halfway into its nightly dunk in the ocean. Streams of golden red and deep orange arced across the water’s glossy midnight blue surface.