Tonight, Jaime opted for the grey herringbone with lavender paisley tie. It was no Tom Ford original, but it was the best suit Jaime owned, and it made him look like he belonged in a Bond movie. Conservative but still attention-getting. At least it should get the attention of anyone who knew anything about style.
Leila had set the whole thing up, probably fearing Jaime would back out if she just gave him Tomas’s number. Jaime’s reputation was well-earned around the office. His reputation also earned him a lecture about not giving out the milk for free on the first date. Jaime wasn’t too thrilled about being alluded to as a cow since he was usually the one doing the milking. Considering Jaime had to deal with Leila on a daily basis, he pledged to be on his best behavior.
The reflection staring back at Jaime from his car window looked perfectly respectable. Certainly the only trace of mischief that remained was a glint in Jaime’s eyes. He’d even forgone his standard stock of condoms. Tonight, he was going to actually get to know someone before deciding if he would sleep with them.
By the time Jaime arrived at Cleo’s, Tomas was already waiting for him. It wasn’t too hard for Jaime to pick him out of a crowd since Leila had shown him about twenty pictures of her cousin. He was even more perfect in person. His eyes sparkled with a polite yet playful gleam as he spoke with the young waitress hovering over the table. She clearly had eyes for him, and he was too polite to flat-out reject her. Instead, he smiled and nodded until his drink, a tall European beer, ran out and she dashed off to the bar to get him a refill.
Okay, Jaime, don’t screw this one up. The man looked like he’d been poured into his slim fit suit. Everything about him was pressed, polished, and poised from his Caesar haircut to his clean-cut and rather square jaw. Perfectly respectable with a hint of trouble. The trick was not going to be an attraction but making sure he didn’t drag the man into bed on the first date and ruin everything. Jaime knew if they ended up in bed together that would be the end of it. Nothing thrilled Jaime quite like the chase, and few things bored him more than a second date.
“Another Heineken.” the waitress’s bubbly smile was sweet enough to rot teeth. “There’s a great little after hours club just down the road if your date doesn’t show. I get off at ten. Maybe I can help you get off a little later.”
“Sorry, sweetheart,” Jaime said as he sat down. He was feeling a little territorial; after all, he was trying to make a real connection and here was this waitress offering exactly what he promised himself he wouldn’t have on the menu—at least not tonight. “Looks like you’ll have to find someone else to help you get off. I’m sorry I’m late. Parking is hell around here.”
Jaime extended his hand to Tomas, completely shutting out the waitress, who gave a little sigh and stepped back from the table.
“I’ll be right back for your drink order,” she said in a resigned tone. Jaime could practically read her thoughts. All the good ones were taken or gay, and that’s exactly what Jaime wanted her to think.
“Take your time,” Jaime said before introducing himself. “I’m Jaime Pierce. I’m surprised Leila didn’t tag along just to make sure this date happened.”
Tomas let out a laugh so unselfconscious, Jaime felt his heart skip a beat. Perfect. The wholesome, boyish good looks Tomas sported in Leila’s pictures was rounded out by a very manly casual confidence.
“Actually, I had to make her promise not to spy on us.” Tomas winked. “I told her if she did I’d never let her set me up on another blind date. It’s kind of her hobby.”
“Oh? Does she have a lot of eligible bachelors for you?”
Jaime wondered just how much competition he had for the man. Once he set his sights on someone, he didn’t give up until he got what or whom he wanted. Easy now, Jaime. The thrill of the chase was not going to tempt him into an early home run that might win the inning but lose him the game.
“No.” Tomas took another sip of his imported beer. “Between getting established at the law firm and coaching, I actually don’t do a good job of keeping an active social life. You could kind of say that I’ve been married to my job, especially after my last relationship.”
“Yeah, Leila warned me not to break your heart.” Jaime chuckled to lighten the mood and to ease his own nerves. This conversation was getting a little too heavy for a first date.
Tomas stared at the swirling beer in the tall pilsner glass as he tilted it back and forth.
“It was rough.” Tomas kept his solemn gaze on the pale lager. “Life’s never easy, right? I mean, I spent my childhood trying to gain my father’s respect. He died of a heart attack before I even finished law school. I thought if I made partner in the firm, I’d be set to support a family. But it turned out my own partner wasn’t ready to settle down.”
As Tomas’s voice trailed off, Jaime struggled to find an appropriate avenue to steer the conversation down that wasn’t so serious. Between his nerves at going on an actual first date and his urge to bolt whenever things got serious, Jaime was trying his best to remain in his chair with an amiable smile on his face. He was actually relieved when the waitress returned and took his drink order.
After a brief discussion about what looked good on the menu and placing their
