Beauty and the Feast: A Romantic Comedy by Julia Barrett

Author:Julia Barrett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
Published: 2013-05-15T05:40:19+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The barbecue was a tremendous success. Most of the time when Eva catered, she remained behind the scenes, but today she joined Ruth and helped serve the guests. They wore what passed for ATAP uniforms, short black jeans shorts, a bright green polo shirt with ATAP embroidered across the breast pocket and black sneakers. Both she and Ruth had the legs to make it work. Tom, Marcus, Byron and Jose wore black jeans and the same green polo shirt. They all worked their tails off. Eva paid special attention to Luis and his lovely sister and she made an effort to include them in everything. Gabe seemed grateful she’d remembered to invite them.

Eva watched her man welcome his guests to his home, hand out drinks, pass around platters of food, supervise the pool area, pat little kids on the head and hold babies. When he wasn’t otherwise engaged and she happened to be paying attention, he’d wink at her. Once, when he thought no one was looking, he pulled her behind a big oak tree and surprised her with a kiss. When Gabe let her go, Eva stumbled away, right into Tom who stared at her open-mouthed for an instant, before his face split into a knowing grin and he mouthed the word, later.

Finally, after the sun had set, the guests gathered around the fire pit and the bright bonfire Byron and Jose had built with Luis’ help. Eva brought a chair for Luis’ sister and made her a s’more. The woman never had one before and Eva could tell she was delighted with the s’more and the attention.

“Muchos gracias,” Luis murmured in Eva’s ear. “Mi hermana does not get out much. This is very good for her. And you, mi amiga, are very good for Señor Abbott.” He gave her a nod.

Eva realized Luis knew very clearly what he was implying, and she blushed.

“No need to be embarrassed, little one. Señor Abbott has been looking for someone like you. He just didn’t know it until he found you.” With a pat of her hand, Luis vanished into the darkness.

Eva was headed back toward the kitchen to bring out another tray of frozen whoopee pies when Tom caught up with her. He threaded his arm though hers.

“So,” began Tom in a whisper, “you’ve looked like the cat who swallowed the canary all day, girl. Spill. Tell your Uncle Tommy all about it. Is Gabriel Abbott as good in bed as they say?”

“Oh my God, Tom!” Eva blurted out. “I can’t believe you just asked that!”

“Hey,” interjected Marcus, tiptoeing up behind them, “Inquiring minds want to know. I hear he’s the whole package. A very, very big package.”

Eva covered her face with her hands and her words came out muffled. “I…am…not…answering…any…questions…about…Gabriel…Abbott.”

“He is,” said Tom to Marcus over her head.

“I would guess she’s given him a thorough tasting,” replied Marcus, “and he passed with flying colors.”

“Arrgh! Go away!” Eva gave them both a shove.

“Are these two louts bothering you?” said a woman’s voice.

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