Chapter 8

"Mari," Erica started cautiously, "where did you meet this man?"

"Last night, but not at the bar. After you went home, Sacha and I went for coffee at the Blue Dolphin Diner. You know, to try to counteract the alcohol."

Erica laughed. "But it only made you both wide-awake drunks."

"Not exactly," her sister countered. "The coffee actually made us more aware of our slightly buzzed state. Well, the man was sitting at the counter, and when Sacha went to the little boys' room, he came over to the table and we started to talk. Well, one thing led to another...but the amazing thing is that he lives in your building!"

Erica sighed. "Let me guess. His name is Gianni Sloan, and he wore black, right down to the ass-tight jeans."

Her sister allowed a pause of surprise to pass before she spoke again. "Yes, how did you know? Oh, wait, you do know him."

"Not on a face-to-face basis, but I do know of him."

Maritza had yet to place the proximity of her sister's place with that of her new, wonderful lover, or why Erica knew the man's name if she had never met him. "Well then, this is the perfect opportunity to become acquainted with your neighbor."

Erica could hardly say no. She had no excuse to beg off. Besides, hadn't she been burning up with curiosity to find out more about her upstairs neighbor anyway? So, this playboy virtuoso of the bedroom- this jugador de la cama, this hombre parrandero-was now boinking her sister. What did it really matter to her?

"Tomorrow," Maritza continued, "at Blossoms Bistro for Sunday brunch. How about eleven-thirty?"

"Sure, yeah," Erica answered, distracted. She decided to bring up the subject. "Mari, last night...did you get a glimpse at the guy from the bar? I mean, the one who sent us over the pitcher?"

"No, not really," Maritza reflected. "By the time I looked over there, all I saw was a shadow, and then he upped and left. At least I think it was our beer man. Why?"

"Oh, no reason really. Just wondering."

The minute she walked over to the patio and spotted the man sitting with her sister, Erica immediately recognized him as the dark man from the bar. Her instincts had been right on. Scrambling behind a pink oleander bush, she adjusted the bodice of her cream silk sarong with shaky hands.

Giancarlo Sloan! He looked a bit different in the daylight, but the clothing remained dark and subtle, and his handsome face and muscular build seemed unmistakable. Today he wore a pleated charcoal shirt and blackberry cords; and with his sleeves rolled up, Sloan could show off his lean muscles and the dark silky hair along his arms. A flash of gold caught her attention, and she noticed the filigree chain corded around his neck.

Maritza, of course, looked lovely in a gingham sundress of mint green to compliment her eyes. Her dark gold hair played around her shoulders like fine gossamer waves. In comparison, Erica felt like a poor relation, her hair up-swept in a loose but careless chignon and her makeup hastily applied. She had almost overslept as her body tried to recoup some lost sleep. Plastering on a friendly smile, she felt her earlobes to make sure Mari's earrings were still there and then moved forward.

"Hola, Eriqueta, mi querida!" Maritza rose when she spotted her sister. "Come on over and take a seat! This is Giancarlo Sloan, or Gianni."

Rising as well, Mari's new man in her life extended a welcoming hand. When Erica touched his flesh, she registered the cool, smooth feel of his skin. When their gaze finally met, she tried to see if a flicker of recognition passed over those cool, dusky eyes. Nothing, nada. Erica took a seat at the round patio table.

"Your sister was telling me a few tidbits about you," Gianni Sloan began with a show of even white teeth. "She sings your praises as an interior designer. I'll have to say, I'm quite impressed."

Erica picked up her menu. "Well, my sister always likes to point out other people's good qualities. Of course, we should be complimenting Mari on her new career."

The man shifted in his seat and flicked his penetrating gaze to Maritza. "Yes, Mari told me all about her new job. I think it's quite exciting." Reaching over, he took Mari's hand and squeezed lightly, then returned his attention back to Erica. "So, Erica, how long have you been with Prestige Designs?"