Page 54 of A Coffee Away

Esteban laughed as I dragged him into the bed and straddled him.

“You don’t get to do things like that and leave me like this.” I put his hand under my boxers to show him exactly what he caused.

He closed his fist around me and stroked hard.

"Fuck," I panted.

He smiled. “Who said I planned to leave my future husband hanging?” He shifted below me, his bulge as magnificent as always. “The coffee can wait.”

“Here you go!” Stephany passed me my chicken wings. “Are the plans still on for tonight?”

I nodded and took a bite. “Yeah. Esteban gets off at six.”

She wiped the counter of her truck. “And you?”

“We get off at five,” Miguel said when I took my seat beside him.

“Cool.” Eva brought our sodas. “So we meet at eight. I’m ready for some drinks.”

I smiled. “We all are.”

Esteban and I had planned a night out with friends to celebrate our engagement. Tonight I’d give him a ring—black with two rubies encrusted within an infinity symbol. Miguel helped me pick it out, and it was my first debt, but I’d gladly pay it. No one knew except for Miguel, who’d been sworn to secrecy. I planned to give it to Esteban as soon as Miguel’s friend met me later tonight. He was engraving our initials on the inside.

“Which places do you plan to hit?” Stephany asked.

I dipped a wing in the guava sauce. “I want to eat pizza at Di’Zucchero and some gelato at Terrazzo.” I took a bite. God, these wings.

“We might get some margaritas at Xolo Taco,” Miguel said, knowing I’d meet our friend there.

Stephany beamed at him. “Now, that’s what I’m talking about.”

Eva giggled. “Seems like we have a plan.”

“That meat lover’s pizza was amazing!” Raúl started across the street.

Eva grabbed Stephany’s hand as we followed him toward Terrazzo.

Esteban had his arm around my shoulders. “Same as usual?”

I nodded, eager for that Ferrero gelato.

“One Ferrero and one coffee, please.” Esteban smacked my butt once the employee turned away. “Get us a good seat outside, love.”

Steph grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the balcony that faced the busy street. “Come on. Let’s get that table. They’re just leaving.”

Miguel tapped his watch. In fifteen minutes, it would be time to meet our friend at the other side of the street. I hoped Esteban wouldn’t insist on getting the margaritas himself, or else the surprise would be over. Yes, it was a bit cringey, but the ring would be hanging from a thin skewer pierced through a fresh lime wedge. The bartender was in on the plan.

I ate the last of my ice cream and threw it in the trash, watching Esteban as he talked to a childhood friend down on the sidewalk. He’d seen her from the balcony and wanted to say hi. Steph, Eva, and Raúl went with him, while Miguel and I stayed behind.

We reached them and started talking, but it was almost time.

“Miguel, why don’t we order some margaritas?” I winked.

“Sure.” He turned to the girls. “Original or frozen?”

“Frozen!” Eva and Steph said in unison.

“Original,” Raúl said.