South Beach Love

by Caridad Piñeiro

  “It is,” Rick said, and they did an about-face and strolled back toward the pedestrian mall that ran through several blocks in the heart of South Beach.

  Tony eyed Rick as they walked side-by-side onto the broad sidewalks on Lincoln Road. “I never expected that my coming here for Angelica’s quinceañera would turn into this sideshow,” he said, wanting his friend to understand he’d never intentionally hurt anyone in the Kelly family. Most of all Sara.

  “I know you didn’t, but the harm’s done isn’t it? No matter who wins by getting the feature, someone loses. Maybe even both of you lose,” Rick said with a heavy lift of his broad shoulders.

  Rick wasn’t wrong. “I want to be the one featured because it’ll give me a chance to maybe open a place down here. But that also means that Sara and Jeri may lose an important opportunity for their business.”

  “Not to mention Bridget and the women that they both help,” Rick reminded him, which only made him feel worse. It also brought to mind what Sylvia had told him about Sara’s reasons for running her training program.

  “Do you mind if I ask you something?” he said and risked a side glance at Rick who shook his head and said, “Shoot.”

  “Sylvia said hiring at-risk women for the restaurant was because of Bridget. She’s okay, right?” he asked, truly worried about Rick and Sara’s older sister.

  Rick hesitated, but after a long look at Tony, he said, “She married a hotshot investment type who did a number on her here.” He paused to tap his temple with his forefinger and continued. “And then he wiped them out financially. It took a long time for Bridget to rebuild her life. It’s what made Bridget start the non-profit that helps women like the ones in Sara’s kitchen.”

  Seeing her sister suffering like that would definitely spur someone like Sara not only to help her sister but others as well, Tony thought. Before he could say anything else, Rick added, “You know that old saying about what doesn’t kill you making you stronger? Bridget is stronger now and doing really well so no need to worry.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. Maybe if Sara and I can survive this we’ll be stronger as well,” Tony said, trying to stay hopeful.

  Rick let out a harsh laugh. “Considering some of the comments on those tweets and the poll, you may have to be stronger right now, bro.”

  That is an understatement of major proportions, Tony thought. “They’ve been rough on me, that’s for sure. Why is everyone saying I abandoned Miami? I’m right here, aren’t I?” he said, irked by those comments the most.

  Rick stopped walking and the look he shot Tony bordered on condemning. “It’s not like you’ve been around, bro. Javi too. It’s been years since you’ve both been down.”

  Exasperated, he raked a hand through his hair and jammed his hands on his hips. “Not my choice, mano. I went where I had to so I could follow my dream.”

  Rick held his hands up to rein Tony in before he could continue. “None of your family and friends is blaming you for doing that, but it would have been nice for you to visit more often.”

  Just like his parents and sister had asked of him. “I plan on doing that, Rick. Trust me.” Miami, his family, friends, and Sara were calling him home and he intended to find a way to make it work. It had seemed like a hard task at first but considering that his restaurant seemed to be doing fine, maybe not as hard as he’d originally thought.

  Rick’s stance softened and he started walking again. “I hope so because I’m not sure Sara would be happy with a long-distance relationship.”

  “If she’s even interested in a relationship,” he said, uncertainty causing his gut to tighten.

  Rick shook his head. “For a smart guy you can be really dumb at times. Do you think she’d be hurting as badly as she is if she wasn’t interested? But I know you’re not the one responsible for the drama going on now, so I’m not mad at you. I don’t think Sara is either, just confused.”

  “Thanks,” he said as they reached the door of the steakhouse.

  At the entrance, Rick paused and said, “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

  Considering how truthful his friend had been, he didn’t think there was much he wouldn’t be willing to talk about. “Go ahead.”

  “Do you think you can get Javi to come spend more time in Miami?”

  No one ever knew what Javi would do or not do. He’d always been not only an absentminded genius type, but a workaholic who was hard to corral. Plus, there had been that call the other day that had Tony worried about what was up with his older brother.

  “I’m not sure. Why?”

  Rick shrugged. “I always thought Javi and Bridget would be perfect together.”

  Tony laughed and cuffed Rick’s head playfully. “Who died and made you Cupid?”

  Rick gave a chagrined smile. “I guess since I can’t get my love life in order, I’ll help out all of you.”

  Tony thought about it for a second. “How about you help yourself and ask Jeri out?”

  Rick pushed through the door of the steakhouse. As he waited at the hostess podium, he said, “Believe me I’ve tried. Every time I get close to asking her, she shuts me down.”

  The hostess took one look at Tony and rushed off. A second later, a chef came from out of the back and up to the podium.

  “Chef Sanchez. So good to see you,” the man said.

  “Samuel, right? Didn’t we work together at the Four Seasons?” Tony said.

  The man’s smile brightened and his head bobbed up and down excitedly. “That we did. We’ll have a table for you in a second.”

  Tony held his hands up to stop him. “No need to bump us ahead of anyone, chef. We can wait.”

  “Absolutely not,” Samuel said and waggled his fingers at the hostess who snapped two menus into his hand. “Please follow me.”

  “Thank you,” Tony said and Rick joined in with his own, “Thanks, chef.”

  Once they were seated and had ordered a tomahawk steak to share, their earlier conversation resumed. “You’ve asked Jeri out and it’s always a no?” Tony asked.

  With a “go figure” shrug, Rick said, “Not exactly a ‘No,’ but that’s just because we never get to the actual question. Before I can even ask, she’s giving me an excuse or changing the topic. I know she had it rough with her ex and now she’s a single mom. I get she’s got a lot to do. I think we could be good together. But I don’t want to take her time away from the things or the people she loves. Her little girl Sophie is such a sweetie—I want to spend time with both of them.”

  Tony mulled over what his friend had said and then it came to him. “You should frame it that way. Don’t just ask out Jeri. Ask out Jeri and Sophie. Make it a family kind of outing because let’s face it, mano, Jeri and Sophie are a package deal.”

  Rick nodded. “A great package if you ask me. I’ll give it a try. Thanks.”

  Tony leaned back in his chair and grinned. “I guess I’m not so dumb after all.”

  Except of course when it came to Sara and what to do about the situation they were in. But much like Jeri and Sophie were a package deal, so were Sara, her restaurant, and her special staff. It was something he had to keep in mind. As if God had heard his wish, his phone chirped with a text message from Sara.

  I’m so so sorry about what happened. I would never embarrass you like that. Plz believe that.

  Relief swept through him, erasing his earlier upset about the chant and igniting hope they’d be able to survive the competition. He texted back, I know. I’m sorry it’s gotten this crazy. I care about you. You know that, right?

  A very long pause followed, causing Rick to ask, “Everything okay, bro?”

  He didn’t know, but then Sara responded with, I care about you as well. TTYS.

  Smiling, he met Rick’s concerned gaze and hopefully said, “I think so. I think everything is going to be okay.”
/>   Chapter 17

  Surprise. Confusion. Concern.

  Those had been the gamut of emotions when Dolores had announced late that afternoon that Angelica and her mother were coming over so Dolores could design Angelica’s quinceañera gown.

  Sara skipped her gaze between Dolores, Samantha, and her older sister Bridget who had decided to join them for moral support. She was wondering if she was crazy to be worrying about this or if they were the crazy ones to be so calm about it.

  “Are you sure about this, Sam? Isn’t this like sleeping with the enemy?” Sara asked. The girls had been so intent on outdoing each other with their quinceañera and this was a decided change from that earlier rivalry.

  Like maybe you and Tony should do? the little voice in her head challenged. But she shut it down by reminding that she had reached out to Tony to apologize. And for something she hadn’t even done!

  With a “so what” shrug, Samantha said, “I felt bad for her.”

  Sara peered at Dolores and at her sheepish look didn’t press further.

  Her sister Bridget, ever the optimist, said, “This is a good thing for the girls, Sara. Our families all used to be really close, remember? Now we only see each other occasionally.”

  She did remember that they’d been closer, but that also brought back memories of Tony, her crush, and how it had become so much more...and more complicated...in the last two weeks. Still, it was a good thing that the girls were getting along and that the two families were re-establishing their relationships. They had used to have good times together and there was no reason they couldn’t in the future. Including Tony, she hoped.

  “You’re right, Bridget. It is a good thing,” she said, no matter how much she was still worried about the article and how hard it was for her to deal with how it had upset everything with Tony. Even though the tweet that Roberta Lane had sent out was no longer trending, the voting on the poll was still going strong. The reporter and her photographer were supposed to come by the next morning to shoot some photos to possibly use if they were the ones featured in the article. Sara had no doubt that once they did the same with Tony, the magazine would somehow use those photos to stir up even more attention for the fabricated rivalry between them.

  The doorbell rang and Samantha went racing across the kitchen and out to the foyer to answer it. Dolores rose and smoothed her blouse down. She did a self-conscious finger comb of her short hair and followed her daughter. Bridget hung back as did Sara since this moment was about the two girls and their moms.

  In the foyer Dolores and Sylvia were hugging like old friends while Angelica and Samantha stood there smiling.

  “It’s been too long,” Sylvia said and then urged Dolores away for an inspection. “You look fabulous.”

  The two women couldn’t be more different and yet more alike. Both dark-haired although Sylvia didn’t have a touch of visible grey while Dolores’s had hints of salt in all that pepper. Sylvia had dressed casually, but stylishly, whereas Dolores wore a house coat whose pockets held the essentials for measuring and taking notes about Angelica’s dress.

  As Sylvia caught sight of her and Bridget, she came over and hugged them as well. Sara returned the embrace, buoyed by the effusiveness of it. Sylvia had always been supportive, from all her help to secure the location for Munch to the annual fundraiser for Bridget’s non-profit.

  Bridget and Sylvia likewise embraced but held onto each other longer. “Amiga, how are you,” Sylvia asked Bridget.

  “Bien, Sylvia. Muy bien,” Bridget answered in her accented Spanish. Like many Anglos in Miami, Bridget had learned the language. She spoke far more than Sara did.

  “Good to see you too, Sara. How are you holding up? Better than my brother, I suspect,” Sylvia said, inspecting her with a motherly eye.

  “I’m doing okay,” she said cautiously. She’d forgotten how direct Sylvia could be.

  “Mentirosa,” Dolores said to Sylvia with a wink and held her hand out in the direction of the small studio off the foyer.

  Confused by her sister-in-law’s comment, Sara leaned close to Bridget and whispered, “What does that mean? Menti—”

  “Liar,” Bridget whispered back.

  Heat flooded her cheeks, but she refused to acknowledge the comment or the inquiring look Sylvia gave her before they all followed Dolores and her daughter into the studio. The last thing she and Tony needed was families meddling in what was already a complicated situation.

  The space had been a little-used dining room that her brother had converted into a work area for his wife as an anniversary gift. On the far side of the room there was a small drafting table. Beside the table was a professional grade sewing machine. On the opposite wall was a storage area that Rick and Matt had built which held an assortment of different fabric bolts, lace, threads, zippers, and other sewing supplies.

  Dolores walked toward the drafting table where a number of sketches were spread out. “After we spoke, Sylvia, I took the liberty of sketching some preliminary designs. We can change up anything you want or start over if nothing is to your liking.”

  As Dolores stepped back, Sylvia and Angelica went to study the designs.

  Concern twisted Sara’s gut and judging from Dolores’s rigid stance, she was likewise worried, but the reaction of mother and daughter was immediate and positive.

  “These are awesome,” Angelica said as she picked up one sketch for a closer look and then traded it off with her mother to examine another.

  “Truly fabulous, Dolores. I didn’t know you did anything like this,” Sylvia said, wonder and appreciation in her voice.

  “Gracias,” Dolores said with a slow dip of her head. “I’d hoped to one day have my own place –”

  “Why don’t you?” Sylvia asked, slipping into that focused attitude Sara recognized all too well. Maybe that wasn’t a bad thing right now. More than once she’d talked to Dolores about opening her own shop, but her sister-in-law had always been hesitant to take the risk. Sara understood the fear. She’d had it in droves when Jeri and she had contemplated opening Munch, but she was glad she’d taken the leap. Sylvia had helped her do it—and could help Dolores as well, she suspected.

  “How hard do you think it would be to find a location, Sylvia?” Sara asked.

  “It’s not that easy,” Dolores said, waving her hands back and forth to try and end the discussion.

  “Not easy, but not impossible, either. I’d be delighted to ask Esteban to take a look and find a location. I could help with the lease. I’d also be happy to spread the word to all my friends about your work—though I doubt I’ll have to say much after they see the dress. They’re going to love it,” Sylvia said and accepted one of the designs from Angelica.

  Samantha joined in the discussion. “Come on, mami. You always tell me I can do anything I want to do.”

  “It’s different for me,” Dolores said and wrung her hands together.

  “We can arrange for you to hire some of the women from the shelter to work for you. We can even see about getting a grant for training them as seamstresses,” Bridget added.

  “It would give women who aren’t good in the kitchen, or who aren’t interested in cooking, another opportunity for a trade,” Sara chimed in.

  “That’s a wonderful idea,” Sylvia said and then gestured with the sketch. “This is beautiful. I think Angelica would look lovely in this. Preciosa,” she added and stroked a hand across her daughter’s cheek.

  “Mami, por favor,” Angelica said, flustered. Samantha jostled her playfully and said, “Moms.”

  The sociable interaction surprised Sara. Considering the girls were supposed to be rivals, they seemed friendlier than she had expected. It was a good thing to see them getting along because that kind of incessant rivalry....

  She stopped short at where she was going. That kind of rivalry could only lead to misery.

&nb
sp; “Sara? Sara!” Sylvia said, snapping her attention back to the two moms and teens.

  “What do you and Bridget think about the design?” Sylvia said and held up the sketch.

  She scrutinized the drawing. The dress was radically different from the one that Dolores had created for Samantha, which was probably a good thing. Her niece was a few inches taller than Angelica, not to mention bustier. Angelica was built a lot like her mother, petite with slender curves and a smaller bosom. Dolores’s design would emphasize her slenderness and make her appear taller.

  “I think it’s lovely. The girls will both look beautiful on their special days.”

  Bridget glanced at the sketches and said, “It is truly wonderful. You do beautiful work, Dolores. If I ever get remarried, I will definitely have you do my gown.”

  Sara was relieved that her sister could even think about marrying again after the experience she’d had. It gave her hope that her own situation was one that could be resolved happily.

  “Wonderful, so what’s next, Dolores?” Sylvia said and Sara had to bite back a laugh. She had forgotten just how bossy Sylvia could be.

  “Fabric,” Dolores said and gestured to the bolts of material on the opposite side of the room. She walked to one bolt of creamy vanilla-colored cloth. “I think this crepe satin would be perfect.”

  Sylvia met her there and lightly passed her hand along the fabric. “I love this, but I’m not the one who has to like it. Mija?”

  Angelia likewise walked to the bolt and skimmed her hand across the crepe satin. “I love it too, mami.”

  “Que bueno. Did you want lace on it?” Dolores asked.

  Sylvia and Angelica shared a look. “Do you think it needs lace?” Angelica asked Dolores, deferring to her judgment.

  Her sister-in-law shook her head. “Some people might say every quinceañera gown should have lace—but I think it would weigh down the design and for you, it should be clean and elegant.”