They turned to the right and headed across one of the many bridges over the river. Jane stopped at the middle and watched as a gondola filled with people floated under them.
“What are you in the mood for?” Ryan asked.
“You’re the resident expert. What do you recommend?”
“I’ve been to them all. Let’s walk around and you choose. After you.” Ryan’s fingertips brushed her shoulder. He followed her across the crowded bridge to the other side, using the opportunity to get a glimpse of her curves as she made her way to the sidewalk. Jane stopped at a few restaurants as they walked, but nothing seemed to interest her enough to stay.
They continued on the path along the river where the bar noise faded into gurgling fountains among lush greenery. “How about that place?” Jane pointed ahead.
Ryan smiled. “Good pick. What caught your attention?”
Her gaze washed over the exterior as they approached. “I don’t know. It’s quiet, but it has an inviting vibe. It’s almost as if the others were trying too hard. This place says ‘Come on in, and you’ll be happy you did.’ Have you eaten here?” she asked, flashing a quirky grin that warmed his insides.
“A few times. How about a table outside?” Ryan waved his hand toward the brick patio.
“Perfect.”
Ryan turned toward the hostess stand and pointed at a free table at the end. “Gretch, is that table available?”
Gretchen’s gaze bounced from Ryan to Jane and back to Ryan. She shot him a grin that warned him she’d grill him for information. “Sure. I’ll send Victor out to take your order.”
Ryan grabbed a menu from the stand and led Jane to the table. He held her chair for her and placed the menu on the table in front of her.
“I take it you come here often.”
“You could say that. I own it.”
Jane stared at him. “You own this place?”
He smirked. “You sound surprised.”
“Only because I am.” Jane turned in her chair and surveyed the restaurant, giving it an appreciative nod as Victor approached the table and filled their water glasses.
“Good evening. May I interest you in a bottle of wine or a cocktail?”
“Do you like sangria?” Ryan asked Jane.
“Love it.”
“Please bring a large carafe of our new summer sangria.”
“Right away, boss.”
Jane was still wide-eyed.
“You’re surprised that a guy who rents himself out to women owns a place like this?” Ryan asked, chuckling to soften the bite of his words.
Jane lifted her water glass. “Actually, that’s not it at all. What surprises me is that you didn’t lead me here. I chose it from all the other restaurants and bars we passed, and you own it.” Her eyes narrowed. “Wait, don’t tell me. You’re some eccentric billionaire, and you own all the restaurants here, but you pose as an escort to screw with lonely women’s heads.”
Ryan laughed, genuinely amused. “Great story, but nope. Just this one, and that’s enough. I don’t think I’d have the energy for another, even if I had the funds. But I’m amazed you picked Vine, too. You made my night.”
Jane smiled and picked up the menu. “What do you suggest?” she asked Ryan.
“Any food allergies? Vegan? Gluten-free?”
“No, no, and no.”
“Great. Then this will be easy. Leave your palate in my hands. You won’t be sorry.” Victor returned and served the sangria. “Let’s start with the tomato crab gazpacho, some of the Louisiana oysters, and two filet tenderloins.” His gaze flicked to Jane. “Medium okay?”
“That’s how I like it.”
He could almost see her stress melt and her posture relax as he kept the conversation moving and light. He entertained her with stories about opening Vine a few months previous.
“I take it this is the reason your listing is off The Cowboys site.”
“In a nutshell, yes. Opening a restaurant has been my dream for a while, but I wanted to do it on my own and not have to answer to investors. So I worked a bunch of different jobs to earn quick cash.”
“How did you get into escorting anyway?”
He chuckled. “One of my jobs was at a male revue joint. The owner, Camille, recruited me into The Cowboys, and everything fell into place. I was able to gather the start-up money in just a couple of years.”
A smile played at her lips as her cheeks turned a rosy pink. “You used to strip?”
“Yup. I was a dancer for a short time, but I mostly tended bar there. It wasn’t my scene, so I jumped at The Cowboys opportunity.”
“Do you think you’ll miss it?”
“Escorting? Nah. I like meeting new people, but the hours aren’t a good fit with running a restaurant. This place takes up a lot of my time, especially on the weekends.”
“I’m sure it does. I guess me canceling on you was convenient.”
He smiled and met her gaze. “Actually, I cleared my schedule and had plenty of coverage. I was looking forward to spending my last weekend as an escort with you.”
Jane shifted in her seat and rested her gaze on Vine’s exterior. “You did a great job on the place. You should be proud of what you accomplished. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to run my own business.”
“Sounds like you’ve given it some thought,” Ryan said.
Jane shrugged. “I went back to work when my son Tyler started high school. I thought about opening a graphic design business from home, but Nick thought it was more practical to work for a company. You know, the ‘regular paycheck and benefits’ thing.” She shrugged. “I guess he was right.”
“Nick?” Ryan asked, even though he knew she was recently divorced. He felt guilty knowing more about this woman than he should.
“My ex,” she said lifting her glass of white sangria filled with mango, grapes, and strawberries.
Sangria was too sweet for Ryan, but he was sure Jane would like it. It was quickly becoming a favorite with his female patrons. Ryan lifted his to Jane. “To new friends and good food.”
“I’ll drink to that.” She seemed happier each time she smiled. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it and covered her grin with her glass.
“You were about to say something,” he said.
She shook her head, but her grin held back a secret. “This is going to sound really weird.” She waved her hand. “Never mind.”
“I’ve heard a lot of strange things in my day, and I’m sure yours isn’t as weird as you think. What’s on your mind?”
“I was just thinking how I have the entire weekend free and you went to the trouble of freeing your schedule. Maybe we should go through with the weekend after all. I mean, if you want to.” A glimmer of doubt flashed in her eyes like she expected him to reject the idea.
“Why the change of heart?”
She took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair. “I haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time. I’d forgotten what it was like to just be with someone. I don’t know if it’s this place, the wine, or the fact that I’ve been wound so tight for so long that I’ve forgotten what it was like to have a good time.” She leaned forward and shook her head. “Does that make any sense, at all?”
“It makes a lot of sense.” He was being honest because he’d felt the same way lately. “Looks like we’re back on. You’ll love what I have planned for tomorrow.”
She rubbed her hands together. “What is it?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
“Tease.” Jane laughed. It was a deep belly laugh from someone comfortable in her own skin, not the typical high-pitched giggle his ears had suffered through from countless clients.
“So tell me, Ms. Keegan, what type of business has brought you to my fair city?” Ryan asked, wanting to keep her talking. He loved how her eyes were starting to come alive, sparkling under the twinkle lights in the trees.
It soon became clear that he’d found the right conversational gamb
it. Jane talked about her job and new account through dinner.
“Just listening to how you work with your clients tells me you’d do very well with your own business. You shouldn’t give up on that dream. Now, how about dessert? Our crème brûlée is out of this world.”
“I don’t think I could eat another bite. Everything was delicious. I should probably head back to my hotel.” Jane reached for her purse, but Ryan caught her hand. When she didn’t pull away, he stood and helped her to her feet.
“I do have one surprise for you tonight. I promise it won’t take long, and it will deliver you to your hotel. Your chariot awaits.”
She cocked her head. “Chariot?”
He couldn’t get enough of her smile.
“Well, not exactly a chariot, but I’ll show you one of the reasons I chose this location for Vine.” He placed his hand at the small of her back, a gesture that felt completely natural to him.
He waved good-bye to Gretchen on their way out. “See you Monday.” She called to him in a sing-song voice. He’d better be prepared for rapid-fire questions from his general manager. “It was nice meeting you, Jane.”
He guided her toward a narrow pathway. Greenery and fountains decorated the edges of the walkway. “This is my favorite stretch of the River Walk,” he confided.
“It’s absolutely beautiful. What’s that ahead?” She pointed to a path lit by dim lights resembling candles.
“Your chariot,” he said, gesturing.
An old man looked up from his newspaper, and his face brightened. “Hola, Reyo, my boy. Good to see you.”
“How’s business, Tio?”
The old man grunted. “Slow tonight. I need to put some ads in the paper or something,” he said pointing to the newspaper.
“No one reads the paper anymore. You need a website.”
“Meh.” He waved a wrinkled hand at Ryan. “The only webs I know about get swept from my boat every morning with a broom. I’m too old for websites. And where are your manners, boy?” he demanded, turning his attention to Jane.
“This is my friend, Jane. Jane, meet my Uncle Pascal. He runs the only private gondola company left on the River Walk. Franchises bought up the rest of them, but Uncle Pascal wouldn’t budge.”
“It’ll take more than them throwing a few bucks my way to move from my spot,” Pascal said, swatting his hand as if he were shooing away a fly.
“I think the last offer was more than a few bucks, Tio. You may want to reconsider, one of these days.”
“Never. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Señorita.”
She extended her hand, but instead of shaking it, he brought it to his mouth and kissed it.
“It’s Jane’s first time here,” Ryan said. “I hope you might give her the special scenic tour, ending at the Omni.”
“Say no more. Hop in and we’ll be on our way,” Pascal invited, gesturing at the sole gondola bobbing in the water.
Ryan climbed aboard. Out of habit, he planted his feet far apart in the middle of the boat, steadying it as he helped Jane. He’d had plenty of practice helping people on and off the boat. Paddling it, too. In his youth, he’d spent his summers working for his uncle, carting tourists up and down the river.
He guided Jane to a seat in the middle of the boat and sat next to her. Pascal untied the rope from the dock, stepped to the front of the boat, and pushed against the dock boards with his paddle, sending them toward the middle of the river. He paddled slowly as he sang a song Ryan remembered from childhood.
Relaxing, he pointed out various places of interest along the way. “On the right, we’ll pass Marriage Island,” he told Jane, nodding toward a large tree that appeared to be growing from the middle of the river.
Pascal stopped singing. “We’ll do more than pass it. We’re going to stop.”
Ryan eyed his uncle. “Is a stop at the island part of the tour now, Tio?”
Pascal shot him a smile. “No, but I don’t think the Señorita will mind. They made some improvements to the dock, and I want to see them up close. I have a wedding booked in a few weeks. You don’t mind, do you, Jane?”
“Of course not,” Jane said, her gaze bouncing from Ryan to Pascal.
Ryan helped his uncle tie the gondola to the dock. “Improvements, huh?” Ryan murmured, his gaze washing over the weathered and warped boards.
“Hmm. They must be doing them next week,” Pascal said, and winked. “Señorita?” Pascal offered Jane a hand as she stepped onto the deck.
Ryan watched as she took in the scenery. It had been a while since he’d set foot on Marriage Island, but it was exactly as he remembered. Not much changed in San Antonio.
Jane walked to the opposite side of the tiny island. Ryan followed her to the sign beside a sculpture.
Jane pointed at the plaque. “The island was built to preserve the tree?”
Ryan smiled. “Yes, back before saving trees was fashionable. You’ll find that throughout the city. Preservation of nature and history is important to the locals. Don’t even get my uncle started on the Alamo. You’ll get an earful.”
Jane walked to the old cypress and placed her palm on its bark. “This tree has seen thousands of weddings.”
“Maybe millions,” Pascal said from behind them. “It’s believed this tree brings lifelong love to all couples who walk under it.” He looked from Jane to Ryan, and nudged his nephew.
Jane cleared her throat.
“I think that’s for couples who are married under it,” Ryan said with a chuckle. “Let’s get a move on. I’m sure our guest is tired from her long day of traveling.”
Pascal did most of the talking during the ride to Jane’s hotel. He explained the history of the River Walk and how it had been a part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, to help residents get work during the Great Depression.
“I never realized how rich San Antonio’s history was. Thank you for the tour, Pascal,” Jane said as she stepped off the boat in front of her hotel.
“My pleasure, Señorita. It’s not every day Reyo introduces me to a beautiful woman like you. I hope to see you again soon.” He turned to Ryan. “Do you need a ride back to the restaurant, Sobreno?”
“Gracias, Tio, but I’m headed home now. Thanks for the ride.” Ryan hugged his uncle.
“I’ll see you at Maya’s on Sunday,” Pascal replied, and Ryan noticed that it came out as a statement, not a question.
“Of course,” he replied. “She won’t let me miss it.”
Pascal’s gaze shifted to Jane, and he opened his mouth to speak. Ryan knew his uncle was about to invite Jane to the party, but Ryan didn’t want to put her on the spot. The Rosales family could be pushy. “Good night, Uncle.”
Pascal shook his head. “Good night,” he said, but he muttered something about youth being wasted on the young, fortunately in Spanish, as he released the rope and pushed off from the dock.
“He’s sweet,” Jane said, watching the boat disappear in the darkness. “Is your real name Reyo?”
“It’s my given name.”
“I get it. You use Ryan as your escort name so no one can look you up and stalk you after you break their heart.” She lifted her eyebrows.
Ryan chuckled. “That’s quite a story, but no. My mother started calling me Ryan when I began school. It was important to her that her children grew up American. She made sure we knew our roots and culture, but she wanted to give us every advantage America had to offer, especially me as her only son. She felt I would be treated differently with a Spanish name, so I became Ryan. The Rosales side of the family still calls me Reyo.”
Ryan held the door as she walked into the hotel lobby. Jane hesitated when Ryan guided her to the bank of elevators with his fingertips at the small of her back. “When I said I wanted to continue the date, I didn’t mean…” She lifted her gaze to meet his, and soft lines formed on her forehead.
“I knew exactly what you meant. Don’t worry. Your virtue is safe. I have no plans to hit on you upstairs, Q
uerida. However, I will escort you to your room to be sure you get in safely. It’s in the escort handbook.” He poked the up button.
“It is not.”
“Maybe not, but it’s in my handbook,” he said as they stepped into the empty elevator. “Floor?”
“Eleventh. What does querida mean?” Jane asked and moved to the opposite wall facing him.
“Its English translation is darling or dear.”
“You must use it on all of your clients so you don’t have to remember names.”
Ryan’s gaze washed over Jane as she straightened her back rising to her full height, which couldn’t be more than a few inches over five feet. He shook his head. “No. I can’t recall anyone else I’ve ever called querida. It was a term of endearment my father used to use for my mother.”
“Oh.” She turned away. Ryan was sure she was trying to decide if she believed him. He’d bet she didn’t.
The doors opened, and he followed Jane to her door. “Well, Ryan Reyo, thank you for the lovely evening.”
He smiled at the way she rolled her “R” imitating his uncle. “You’re good at that.”
“High school Spanish class. We got extra credit if we rolled our Rs.” Jane laughed and pulled her hotel access card from her purse and offered him her right palm.
Instead of shaking it, Ryan gently turned it over and kissed the top of her hand.
“Is that a San Antonio thing? I don’t think I’ve had my hand kissed twice in one day ever.”
“Not a San Antonio thing. It’s a Rosales thing. The Rosales men are caballeros. Gentlemen.” He took the access card from her and opened the door. “I’ll pick you up right here at ten o’clock tomorrow morning. Thank you for a great evening.”
She stepped into the room and spun around. “What should I wear?”
“Something comfortable with shoes meant for walking.”
A slow smile formed on her lips prompting a sudden urge to pull her into his arms. “Where are we going?”
“That’s a surprise. But I promise you by the end of the day, you’re going to know more about San Antonio than most locals. Are you up for it?” He tilted his head and captured her gaze.
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