His Perfect Partner

by Priscilla Oliveras

  Hands in his pockets, Tomás flashed his sheepish grin again. His dimple winked hello. “Two of them walked right up after the show, introduced themselves, and handed me the paper. The other must have slipped it into my pocket in the crowd.”

  Yaz snorted her disbelief. “No way!”

  “I didn’t even notice. I got home from your house—” He paused.

  Was he remembering their interlude in her kitchen? How she’d nearly come undone in his arms? She couldn’t tell. Darn his well-practiced boardroom face.

  “Anyway, I got home, cleaned out my pockets, and found the third one.”

  “Have you called any of them?” Her breath lodged in her chest, wanting him to say no.

  “Not yet. I’m not sure what to think. The third one”—reaching out, he flicked the smallest of the three papers—“if she couldn’t bring herself to say hello, even if she was aiming for mysterious, kind of weirds me out. I’m not really into playing games.”

  “Good, I know this mom.” Yaz crumpled the paper he’d indicated. “Cindy’s not right for you. She’s a barracuda. Looking for husband number four.” Yaz pursed her lips, nodding at Tomás’s raised brow. She tossed the paper in the trash can with a spurt of satisfaction.

  “And the others?” he asked.

  “Not too bad. I can do some digging for you if you’d like.”

  “Uh, no.” Tomás tugged the papers from her grasp. He placed them back in the drawer and pushed it closed. “Let me think about it. Now, about this Christmas party for Maria’s class.” He tapped the flyer Yaz had stuck on the refrigerator door. “You know the new teacher?”

  “Yes, and she’s fabulous!” Yaz laughed when he blinked at her exuberance. “You met Cheryl the other night after the Christmas show. Petite blonde, a little shorter than me.”

  “Oh yeah, I remember. We chatted briefly. Seems nice.”

  “She’s been my best friend since high school. Cheryl got her degree in early childhood education and has been working in southern Illinois since graduation.”

  “High school, huh? I bet she has some fun stories to share about you.” He grinned when Yaz wrinkled her nose at him.

  “She’s a great teacher. And an even better person.” As soon as she said the words Yaz froze, her hands deep in the soapy water.

  Cheryl loved kids, wanted to settle down and get married, and enjoyed living in Oakton. She was clearly Perfect Partner material. Not only that, now that Ronnie was out of the picture, she was available.

  Jealousy sparked in Yaz. Just as quickly, reality and the truth doused the flame.

  She glanced at Tomás under her lashes as he cleaned the island. Dios, with his chiseled jaw and aquiline nose, his profile alone made a girl feel all wobbly kneed. Those good looks were only a small part of the package that made up this amazing man. He deserved more than a woman who couldn’t figure out where her dreams lay, or how to make both herself and her family happy.

  As much as it might hurt, she knew someone who fit Tomás’s ideal far better than she ever would.

  “Can you get away for an hour or so tomorrow, midmorning? Maybe come to the Christmas party with us?”

  The indecision in his eyes made her increase the pressure with a little guilt trip. “Maria would be thrilled, and it’ll give you an opportunity to meet Cheryl. A lot of the parents stopped by during drop-off and pick-up today to introduce themselves.”

  His island cleaning paused as he stared off into space. Yaz figured he was picturing his color-coded planner in his mind. The guy could give Rosa a run for her money when it came to organization.

  “Hm, I can probably do that.” He stepped toward the sink, still pensive, to drop more crumbs down the drain. This time Yaz edged away before he bumped her. Better to be safe than stupid.

  “Yeah, I can swing it,” Tomás said, turning the water on. “I’ll do a few things tonight, get ahead of the game. If you have any errands you need to run, I can take Maria on my own.” He rinsed off the rag, then hung it over the faucet.

  Before she realized what he meant to do, he tugged the kitchen towel off her shoulder, his knuckle brushing against her collarbone. Her breath hitched in her chest. Her eyelids fluttered, mimicking the butterflies taking flight in her belly.

  “You need to take the morning off?” he asked. “Spend time with your dad or go to Hanson’s and practice?”

  “N-no, I can make it.” She cleared the shakiness out of her voice. “I volunteered to help. Pablo is taking Papi to eat breakfast with some of their compadres.”

  Besides, how could she orchestrate setting up Cheryl and Tomás properly if she wasn’t there? This required a delicate touch. Both of them were newbies to the dating scene again, so they were a little gun-shy. It might take a few gentle nudges to persuade them. But she would.

  Finding Tomás his “perfect partner” might be the best way to convince herself that in his arms, in his life, was not where she belonged.

  “Sounds good then. We’ll go together.” Tomás flicked the end of the towel back over her shoulder with an easy grin. “Let me see what Maria’s up to. She’s been awfully quiet.”

  Yaz sagged against the counter and watched him stride away. “Going together” sounded good to her, too. For entirely different, completely inappropriate reasons.

  She straightened her shoulders, annoyed with her schoolgirl-crush behavior. This self-sabotage wasn’t healthy.

  Starting tomorrow, Operation Perfect Partner Search would kick into high gear. Identified target? Cheryl Morgan, kindergarten assistant teacher and best friend extraordinaire.

  If Yaz couldn’t be Tomás’s perfect partner, she’d let someone better, someone she loved like a sister, have him.

  And she’d have to find the strength to stand by and watch that happen.

  * * *

  Yaz shrugged out of her peacoat and hung it next to Tomás’s jacket on a wooden peg in Maria’s classroom. Maria hadn’t even bothered to take her jacket off before she started weaving through her classmates, anxious to bring Cheryl over to meet Tomás.

  The little girl’s excitement over the fact that her father was cutting work to join them for her party reminded Yaz of how easily a parent could lift their child’s spirits by simply showing an interest in them. Taking the time to be there for and with them. It’s what Papi and Mami had done for her as a child.

  This time caring for Maria was allowing Yaz a chance to savor a little taste of being a parent, filling a void she would never admit existed. Though he didn’t know it, she owed Tomás for giving her this opportunity.

  She could repay him by finding him a suitable match. Not a “life partner” like he planned. That was a dumb idea. He deserved more, and so did Maria. With Cheryl, he’d find a woman who met all his needs, one he was safe giving his heart to.

  “Man, it’s noisy in here.” Tomás bent toward her so she could hear, his breath tickling her ear. “They need some pointers from you on how to run a quiet class.”

  She grinned, wrapping his compliment up to enjoy again later. “They don’t run a tight ship like I do, but the kids settle down. And they already love Cheryl. She has that effect on people. Wait a minute.” Yaz reached up to brush a few wayward flakes of snow from his hair.

  “Thanks, Mom.” His dimple flashed, giving rise to thoughts that were anything but mom-like. “Do I look presentable?”

  Presentable?

  Yaz slid her gaze up his strong frame, taking in his brown boots, khaki corduroy slacks, navy cable-knit sweater, and model-gorgeous face. Ay bendito, presentable didn’t even begin to describe him.

  “You’ll do,” she deadpanned, laughing as she sidestepped the elbow he tried to poke in her ribs.

  “Yaz, I’m glad you could make it!” Cheryl opened her arms for a hug, then stepped back and held out her hand with a welcoming smile. “Hi, Tomás. It’s nice to see you again. Maria’s an absolute joy in class, and she’s already shared quite a lot about you.”

  “Only good things, I hope,” he
answered.

  Yaz barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes at his deepened timbre. Por favor, he didn’t need to lay the schmooze on so thick.

  She did, however, notice that he only gave Cheryl his “charming” smile, not the relaxed grin Yaz couldn’t resist.

  “I’ll add that he’s not a bad guy to temporarily nanny for, either,” Yaz said.

  “I wouldn’t doubt it, if he talked you into babysitting.” Cheryl put her hand on Yazmine’s shoulder and leaned conspiratorially toward Tomás. “This girl has been all dance, all the time, for as long as I’ve known her. It’s nice to see her branching out a bit.”

  “But we won’t have her for long,” Tomás said, his lips inching more toward that comfortable grin he didn’t share with everyone. “She’s on to bigger and better, while we little people stay behind.”

  Cheryl laughed, the tinkly sound mixing with Tomás’s husky chuckle. Yaz knew she should join in. She wanted to, but she suddenly felt like the outsider.

  “I guess we ‘little people’ need to stick together,” Cheryl teased.

  “I hope so.”

  Tomás’s response brought a dull shade of pink to Cheryl’s cheeks, the color highlighting her gray eyes. “Um, sure.”

  Unbelievable! Yaz blinked in surprise. Her friend was already smitten, and Yaz couldn’t blame her in the least. Nor could she be jealous. Cheryl didn’t deserve that.

  “Well, as you see, we can always use an extra pair of hands around here.” Cheryl extended an arm to indicate the classroom, overrun with excited kids. Some were dressed for the occasion in Christmas sweaters, others sported the rumpled, bed-head look from what was probably a mad dash out the door.

  “It’s a little like controlled chaos,” Tomás noted. “I have to admit, I’ve always thought it takes a special person to teach kindergarten.”

  “That’s our Cheryl alright,” Yazmine said, finally feeling like she could trust her voice not to give away her conflicting emotions.

  Cheryl shot her a secretive look, her eyes screaming “Wow!”

  “Class, let’s meet at the reading corner,” the head teacher called.

  Most of the kids followed the instructions. A few dragged their feet.

  “Joey, Stephen.” Cheryl cautioned two boys who had stopped to play with the math manipulatives on a table near the far window. “That’s not the reading corner.”

  The boys dropped the varied geometrical shapes and trudged to join their teacher on a multicolored rug near a short bookshelf and several beanbags.

  “I was about to set up the cookie decorating station. Would one of you like to help?” Cheryl asked.

  “Here, that sounds like a job you can tackle.” Yaz thrust the plastic container with their homemade goodies at Tomás.

  “You sure?” he asked.

  “Of course. That’ll give you two time to get to know each other before the craziness begins. Hey, don’t give me that look. You and I both know it’s about to get crazy in here,” Yaz said, intentionally misreading Cheryl’s puzzled expression.

  The last thing she needed was either one of them thinking she was trying to set them up. Tomás had already told her he didn’t want her help and Cheryl had a tendency to clam up if she was nervous.

  “You two work on that together and I’ll back up Mrs. Morris in the reading circle.”

  She flashed them a bright smile, realizing she might have overdone it when Tomás and Cheryl exchanged a dubious look.

  “Go on.” Yaz shooed them away.

  “Well, if you’re game, Tomás, let’s get started,” Cheryl finally said.

  “Sure, I don’t want to brag or anything, but Maria’s told me I’m a pro at decorating cookies.” He winked at Cheryl, eliciting another tinkly laugh from her.

  Yaz watched her best friend lead Tomás to one of the round arts and crafts tables filled with cookies, plastic knives, tubs of frosting, and food coloring. They bent over the table, Tomás following Cheryl’s instructions for how to organize the supplies. His dark coloring next to her light skin and hair made a striking contrast. Cheryl said something and Tomás’s laughter rang out.

  A yearning ache for what couldn’t be and a wistful pang at her friend’s good fortune swirled in her chest and Yazmine turned away, unable to watch anymore.

  She tiptoed to the kids and their teacher, needing the distraction. Maria’s eyes lit up and she scooted over, patting the floor beside her. As soon as Yaz sat, Maria scrambled onto her lap. She linked their fingers together, then crisscrossed her arms in front of her so they wound up in a big hug.

  Maria angled her head to shoot Yaz a sweet, chubby-cheeked grin. Yaz pressed a kiss to the little girl’s forehead and a welcome peace settled over her.

  This was what mattered most. Her time with Maria and her time with Papi. Because as much as it pained her, she knew those moments were limited.

  Behind her, Cheryl laughed, a familiar bubbly sound that usually made Yazmine join in the fun. She refused to turn around though and check on the potential lovebirds. If the way Tomás had charmed her friend earlier was any indication, neither one needed any more nudging from her. And she was more than willing to give them their space.

  It was too painful otherwise.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Late Friday afternoon Tomás set his briefcase on the kitchen counter with a tired sigh. Rush hour traffic drained even the best of men.

  “We’re in my room, Papá!” Maria’s voice carried down the hall from the back of the house. “I’m showing Ms. Rosa my Barbie dolls. Come play with us!”

  Now that was a demand he could easily give in to. He strode through the living room, ready for some together time with Maria before he headed out for the evening.

  Tonight was his first date with Cheryl Morgan. He had enjoyed chatting with her during the class party, then again one day when he’d picked up Maria after school because Yaz had been waylaid at the dance studio. He knew Yaz was matchmaking. Thankfully, he’d also learned enough about Cheryl to recognize that his temporary nanny might not necessarily be looking at her “fabulous” best friend through rose-colored glasses.

  He’d be lying to himself, though, if he didn’t admit he was a bit nervous about potentially having to sit through another disastrous date. When he’d gotten Yaz’s text earlier, letting him know Rosa would be staying with Maria, he’d read it with mixed emotions. Partly relieved Yaz wouldn’t be waiting for him when he returned home from an evening with another woman. Partly disappointed she wouldn’t be there to send him on his way with some flip remark about not blowing it right out of the gate with her best friend. Her sassiness kept him on his toes, and he wanted to be on his game when he picked up Cheryl.

  “Hello, ladies,” he greeted as he stepped into Maria’s doorway. “How’s it going, Rosa? Thanks for filling in tonight.”

  “Oh sure, I’m glad I could help.” She worried her lower lip before adding, “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not. You’re doing me a favor, remember?” He pushed away from the door frame to shrug out of his suit jacket. “Mi casa es su casa.”

  “Gracias.” Rosa spoke softly, her mouth curving up in a shy smile. The marked difference between her quiet, reserved personality and Yazmine’s bright lights, big-city confidence must have made life quite interesting for Reynaldo when his girls were growing up.

  “Papá, can you help me get this dress on my Barbie?” Maria held out a dark-haired doll with a scrap of shiny purple material stuck around its shoulders.

  “Here, mama, I can do it.” Rosa’s nimble fingers made short work of the task. She obviously still knew her way around a Barbie, something Tomás’s large hands couldn’t seem to grasp.

  “I can’t remember the last time I played dolls,” Rosa told Maria. “Thanks for letting me join you.”

  Tomás hunkered down near them in front of the pink and white plastic two-story dollhouse. “I got the condensed version of why you had to fill in tonight. What’s Yaz up to again?”r />
  Rosa slid over to make room for him on the princess-crown throw rug. “Jeremy called to say he’d won tickets to a concert in Chicago. Pablo was visiting, and when he said he’d keep Papi company, I told Yaz I’d sit with Maria.”

  “I think I would have volunteered to take Yazmine’s ticket instead.”

  Rosa smiled demurely and ducked her head. Her shoulder-length black hair fell in a wavy curtain to hide her face. “That would have been fun, too, though I think Jeremy wouldn’t enjoy my company as much.”

  “Oh, somehow I doubt that.” Rosa might be quiet, but last weekend he’d seen firsthand the feisty side she kept hidden most of the time. He doubted any moment with a Fernandez sister would be dull.

  “I never apologized for my behavior the other night. After the recital,” Rosa said, her expression an endearing mix of discomfort and guilt.

  “Are you kidding? You don’t have anything to apologize for. You girls are dealing with a lot. Better to let it out than to bottle it in and wind up blowing like a volcano at the wrong time.”

  “Bueno, I think I blew like a volcano last weekend. And I shouldn’t have done that in front of you and Jeremy.”

  “It’s all good. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

  He grasped her hands as she struggled with shoving a pair of ridiculous-looking plastic high-heeled boots on a Barbie. “I’m serious. And Jeremy seems pretty close with your family, so I doubt he minded either. Thanks to how Yazmine and your dad have stepped in to help with Maria, I feel like they’re family now. That includes you and Lilí, too.”

  “Gracias.” Rosa murmured the word, her gaze coming up to meet his briefly before dropping back down to the doll.

  “As for you not going to the concert . . . Jeremy would be a bum if he didn’t have a good time with you, Rosa,” Tomás said, giving her jeans-clad knee a quick squeeze. “And he doesn’t strike me as a bum.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear, offering him another one of her Mona Lisa smiles.

  He winked back at her. “I think I heard a wise woman tell you recently not to sell yourself short.”