PaintedPassion by Tamara Hunter Page A

for that matter—was welcome
to him.
    She showered and dressed in record time. With two minutes to
spare, she descended the stairs with her black clutch.
    Carlos rose from the sofa dressed in a cream linen shirt and
slacks, appreciation in his glance as he surveyed her ruby-red dress with its
black-banded waist.
    “Beautiful.”
    She flushed at his praise. “Thanks. You look nice,
yourself.” She led the way to the garage, conscious of his admiring gaze. It’s
just dinner. Ignore how he makes you feel.
    Despite the awkwardness she expected during their transit,
he kept her laughing by insisting on singing along to the radio.
    Twenty minutes later, Carlos pulled into the parking lot of
Padre’s. She grinned in pleasure. “Louis and I used to come here a lot.”
    He winked. “Makes it the perfect place.”
    She waited as Carlos handed the keys to the valet. They
entered the spacious building, and a hostess greeted them.
    “Mr. Diaz, your table is ready in the private dining room.”
    Trella followed the hostess and Carlos as they weaved
through the crowded restaurant.
    “You didn’t have to reserve such a large space for two
people, Carlos.”
    He gently pulled her inside the room. “You never know who
might stop by.”
    “Happy birthday!” Selina and Melissa shouted.
    Trella stared at the long rectangular table occupied by her
two friends. Near the back of the room, a round, cloth-covered table held
gifts.
    Tears sprang to her eyes. There was so much she wanted to
say, but words clogged in her throat. She settled for allowing her thumb to
caress the back of his hand.
    “You look great.” Selina, dressed in a black knee-length
dress, hugged Trella then passed her off to Melissa. Soon, a gaggle of women
surrounded Trella, each talking a mile a minute.
    Selina's gaze traveled between Trella and Carlos. “So, how
is it having such a fine man at your constant beck and call?”
    They settled onto chairs as waiters arrived for their drink
orders, thankfully keeping Trella from having to answer the question. But she
knew Selina wouldn’t let the subject die until Trella satisfied her friend’s curiosity.
    Selina, seated to Trella’s left, leaned closer, and she
braced herself.
    “So…what's up with you and Carlos?” her friend whispered.
    Trella shrugged. “Nothing.” Even as she denied any type of
contact with him, she couldn’t stop peeking at him as he chatted with another
man. She rarely kept anything from her close friends but wasn’t ready to share
news of her kiss. She wanted to savor the moment with Carlos as her special
secret—especially since she never planned on letting it happen again.
    Melissa smoothed her hands down her taupe dress with its
corseted waist. “Everyone says the same thing…right before they admit they’re
dating,” she chimed in from her seat to Trella’s right. “If I were you, I’d
jump on him.”
    “I don’t think I’m ready to date again.”
    Melissa nodded. “I understand, sweetie, but life has its own
agenda.”
    “I’m starving.” Trella hoped she’d change the direction of
the conversation.
    Melissa signaled the waiter standing discreetly in the
corner of the room. “The food’s already ordered.”
    Carlos appeared at Trella’s side. “There’s a group of people
who are joining us. I’ll see what’s keeping them.”
    “Whoever it is, I hope they’re single.” Selina removed a
small mirror from her purse for a quick beauty check.
    “I do, too.” Melissa took a sip of her drink.
    Trella remained quiet, watching the door Carlos disappeared
behind.
    Minutes later, he re-entered the room. “Hope we have food
for a few more friends.”
    Holding onto Carlos’ hands were a young boy and girl.
    Alfonso stood behind them. The three men who’d made up the
remaining members of Louis’ squad brought up the rear.
    “Thanks for the invite.” Donovan, still wiry thin, spoke
first. He brushed dirty-blond hair off his face.
    “Yeah, ‘cause we love to