“Here you go.” The juice bottle being thrust at him caught his attention as it danced at the end of Landon’s fingertips. Robert had to resist the urge to pat that ass right next to the bottle.
Professionalism was a bitch. Robert took the juice, handed it directly to the customer, and waited for them to finish the payment. He looked over the next in line. There were two full sacks of tacos pressed together. The register beeped, indicating the sale went through, and Robert handed over the tacos.
“Thank you.”
“Twelve total. Six of each,” his lineman called.
“Heard.” Robert thrived in such a fast-paced environment. He quickly entered those into the cash register, watching the time as he worked. Barely twelve thirty in the afternoon. At this rate, they wouldn’t make it to one o’clock with their current inventory of tacos. He and Landon had started their street market taco stand two months ago today, and they’d already garnered enough business to sell out almost four hundred tacos during the average lunch rush.
“We’re on the last pan of corn,” Landon whispered in his ear. Goose bumps sprouted on his arms as he nodded and looked up to see two smiling faces. The momentary mental blip that was all Landon Russo-Adams’s fault had him blinking at the unexpected sight of his past staring inquiringly at him. Two physicians he had worked with for years stood in front of him. He narrowed his eyes at the dawning of meaning behind those smug grins. These two were arrogant and ignorant, part of the reason doctors were thought to have a god complex. He’d never really liked either of them.
“Are these for you?” he asked, not waiting for any polite exchange to happen, nodding toward the two bags of tacos.
“Do you need drinks?” Landon asked, staying focused on moving the line as quickly as they could.
“Yeah,” Williams said, seemingly answering both questions.
“Landon, this is Dr. Brown and Dr. Williams. We worked together in the past.” Robert patted Landon’s thick pec with the back of his hand. “This is my husband, Landon.”
Both sets of eyes swung their full attention toward Landon. Landon stiffened, his hand automatically shifting to Robert’s back in a protectionary move. Landon was intuitive. He’d picked up on the possible jeering in their smarmy grins. Landon nodded at both men, but said to Robert, “I got this. Step out and talk to them, so we don’t hold up the line.”
He didn’t want to leave their lunch rush to catch up on anything from his previous life. At the expectant stares, he did finally step out of the tent, letting Landon hand over the tacos without accepting payment. They had done that same move a few times when old friends of the family had ventured out of the capital to come see what Robert was doing down there. His vegetarian tacos had created a buzz around the Hill. It seemed their small radius had expanded if the reputation of his tacos had made it to the hospital. His gaze lowered to the two bags. He wanted those tacos paid for. Brown and Williams made more than enough money to cover the tab.
Landon handed him another brown paper bag, most likely cans of juice. He took it, then saw Landon winking at him. The gesture caressed his heart and gave him the encouragement he needed to have this conversation.
“We weren’t sure we believed the rumors,” Williams spoke up.
“If the rumors are these tacos are delicious, then they’re right,” Robert said somewhat arrogantly, giving the men a practiced grin, daring either to contradict him.
“Yeah, that’s it,” Brown said with a humorless laugh. “The renowned Dr. Adams serving up tacos.”
“And the marriage. You sure were quiet about that one,” Williams added in a less than congratulatory tone. His gaze veered to Landon who seemed to be completely ignoring them. He doubted that was the case. Landon’s insecurity about their relationship had faded, but this was the first time Robert’s past had so blatantly caught up with them.
“Landon and I met in Germany last year. Landon’s in the Air Force,” Robert announced proudly. He was insanely in love with his new life, and even more crazy in love with his incredible husband who had stood by his side no matter what harebrained idea he came up with. Landon never doubted or judged him, unlike what he saw on these two men’s faces. “It’s our business. He keeps our operation going. I’ve got to get back to work. Let me ring up these tacos so you can be on your way and help spread the word for us.”
Robert dismissed Landon’s questioning gaze as he slid in before Landon could total the next customer’s order. Some of the smugness wiped from their faces when Robert gave them their total with no discount.