One of Us Is Next(22)

“Cool.” Luis flashes a smile and stretches his legs out under the table. I’m so used to Knox sitting with me that Luis’s presence is a little disconcerting. He takes up more space, both physically and…confidence-wise, I guess. Knox always looks as though he’s not sure he’s supposed to be wherever he is. Luis sprawls out like he owns the place. Well, in this particular case his parents do, so maybe that’s part of it. But still. There’s an ease to him that, I think, comes from being athletic and popular his entire life. Luis has spent years at the center of one team or another. He’s always belonged. “I had a question for you, actually.”

I can feel my face getting red, and cup my chin in both hands to hide it. I wish I weren’t constantly attracted to the kind of guys who either ignore me or treat me like their little sister, but here we are. I have no defense against the cute jock demographic. “Oh?”

“Do you live here now?” he asks.

I blink, not sure if I’m disappointed or caught off guard. Probably both. “What?”

“You’re in this restaurant more than I am, and I get paid for it.”

His dark eyes twinkle, and my stomach drops. Oh God. Does he think I’m here for him? I mean, yes, catching sight of Luis in one of those well-fitting T-shirts he always wears is typically a highlight of my day, but I didn’t think I was being obvious about it.

I narrow my eyes at him and aim for a detached tone. “Your customer appreciation skills need work.”

Luis grins. “It’s not that. I’m just wondering if you’re familiar with this thing called outside? It has sun and fresh air, or so I’ve heard.”

“Pure rumor and speculation,” I say. “Doesn’t exist. Besides, I’m doing my part for the Bayview economy. Supporting local business.” Then I drink the rest of my water to force myself to shut up. This is the longest conversation I’ve ever had alone with Luis, and I’m working so hard at playing it cool that I barely know what I’m saying.

“That would be a better argument if you ever got anything besides coffee,” Luis points out, and I laugh in spite of myself.

“I see those accounting classes are paying off,” I say. He laughs too, and I finally relax enough that my face returns to a normal temperature. “Do you think you’ll take over from your parents someday? Run Café Contigo, I mean?”

“Probably not,” Luis says. “This is their place, you know? I want something of my own. Plus I’m more interested in the fine dining scene. Pa thinks I’m full of it, though.” He mimics his dad’s deep tone. “Tienes el ego por las nubes, Luis.”

I smile. Luis’s ego is in the clouds, but at least he knows it. “He must be happy you’re interested in the family business, though.”

“I think so,” Luis says. “Especially since Manny can’t make toast without burning it.” Luis’s older brother, the one named after their dad, has always been more into cars than kitchens. But he’s been working at the restaurant since he got laid off from an auto repair shop. “He’s helping out tomorrow night and Pa is all, Please don’t touch anything. Just wash dishes.” Luis takes his cap off, runs a hand through his hair, and puts it back on. “You’ll be here, right? I think Cooper might make it after all.”

“He will?” I ask, genuinely happy. All of Bronwyn’s and Addy’s friends are getting together at Café Contigo before Ashton’s bachelorette party tomorrow night, but last I’d heard Cooper’s schedule was still up in the air.

“Yup. We’re a big enough crowd now that Pa’s giving us the back room.” Luis glances at a door frame in the rear of the restaurant, where hanging beads separate a small private dining area. “Hope it doesn’t get too busy once people hear Cooper’s gonna be around. The actual table only fits, like, ten.” He starts counting on his fingers. “You, me, Coop, Kris, Addy, Bronwyn, Nate, Keely…who else? Is your boyfriend coming?”

“My what? You mean Knox?” I blink when Luis nods. “He’s not my boyfriend. We broke up ages ago.”

“Really?” Luis’s eyebrows shoot up. God, when you graduate you just fall right out of the gossip loop, apparently. “But he’s always here with you.”

“Yeah, we’re still friends. We’re not going out anymore, though.”

“Huh,” Luis says. His eyes flick over me, and my cheeks heat again. “Interesting.”

“Luis!” Mr. Santos pokes his head out of the kitchen. He’s much shorter and rounder than any of his sons, even the preteen ones. They all get their height from their mom. “Are you working or flirting today?”

I duck my head and pull my laptop back in front of me, hoping that I look busy instead of deflated. I was having such a good time talking to Luis that I almost forgot: this is standard operating procedure for him. He’s great at turning on the charm, which is why half of Café Contigo’s customer base is made up of girls between the ages of fourteen and twenty.

Luis shrugs as he gets to his feet. “I’m multitasking, Pa.”

Mr. Santos’s eyes shift toward me, his eyebrows pulled together in exaggerated concern. “Is he bothering you, mija? Say the word and I’ll throw him out.”

I force a smile. “He’s just doing his job.”