Her Heart's Desire

“Miss Jeannie, I’m not—”

Suddenly everyone was looking at her with interest.

“—sure if I’ve ever met anyone named Fernando before,” she finished, then stood up. “I think I’ll get some dessert.”

“I’ll go with you,” Milán said quickly.

“Well, if you’re trying to make it look like you’re not gaga over Ivan, you’re doing a pretty bad job.”

She sighed. “Fernando? Really?”

“Tiff, why are you surprised?”

They made their way to the table to fix themselves a plate. Shortly afterward, Adrian joined them.

“So where’s Ivan?” he inquired.

Tiffany looked up. “Oh, I heard he’s out of town. Your mom said he called to say he wouldn’t be able to make it.”

Adrian took a bite of his food and then said, “Uh-huh. How are things with you two?”

“You aren’t supposed to be eavesdropping on my conversations,” Milán admonished.

He looked offended. “Have I ever needed to eavesdrop? Need I remind you that you speak as loud in English as you do in Spanish?”

With her hands on her hips, Milán broke out into a rapid succession of the latter.

“No comprendo,” he retorted with a boyish grin.

His wife’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, you comprendo all right.”

The two began a conversation that Tiffany wasn’t even trying to follow. She caught a word here and there, but was otherwise clueless as to what they were saying.

“Hey,” she finally interrupted. “Can we get back to more important stuff…like does your mother know?”

“Why would sh

e?” Adrian turned to his wife. “Unlike women, men don’t gossip.”

“Since when?” both women said simultaneously.

An hour later, Tiffany told them that she had to run and gave them both a kiss, then went to say goodbye to Norma Jean and Cliff.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving so soon,” Adrian’s mother complained. “Things were just getting lively.”

“I know, but I’m expecting a call shortly that I have to take…work and all.”

“I understand, honey. Too bad you didn’t get a chance to meet Fernando. He’s such a nice young man.”

“I’m sure.”

“Summer’s the time for romance, which you’d know if you got out of that store every once in a while.”

Tiffany hugged her. “I promise I’ll get out there soon.”

“Mmm-hmm. I’m gonna stop preaching now, but you make sure you take some food home. Men don’t like women who are all skin and bones, you know.”

“Ms. Jeannie, I’m hardly a twig.” Tiffany laughed. “I’ve got plenty of curves.”