Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
After racking his brain, he’d finally had the very excellent idea of asking Erin. He had no idea whether Crystal had spoken to Erin about the sudden change in their relationship, but right now it didn’t matter. He took her aside in the living room and said he wanted to take Crystal out for dinner and did Erin know her favorite places?
She did, of course, but instead of naming any of the fine-dining restaurants in and around Carmel, she said, “Do you know what she loves better than anything? Way more than a fancy restaurant? Proper Mexican food.”
The moment Erin said it, it made perfect sense. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it himself. “Where’s the best Mexican food around here?”
Erin paused. “Hmm, it changes all the time. The best person to ask is her mom.”
And so Damien found himself phoning Sofia Lopez. Crystal’s mother was one of the nicest and most hardworking women he’d ever known. He understood where Crystal got her work ethic as well as her values. He felt slightly sheepish calling Sofia after seducing her daughter, but he put his own embarrassment aside and put Crystal’s best interests first.
When he identified himself, she said, “Damien Davenport, I haven’t seen you in far too long. Are you still too skinny and eating nothing but plants?”
He laughed. His parents hadn’t blinked an eye when he first told them he’d become a plant-based eater, but Sofia Lopez seemed to take it personally. She loved to cook stews and sauces with rich spices and meat.
“Not so skinny,” he said, “but still eating the plants.” Before he got a lecture on the pleasures of food, he cut right to the chase. “Sofia, I’m calling because I need your help. I want to take Crystal out tonight for her favorite meal. Where should I book?”
“Her very favorite meal? Why, that would be in Monterey. But you won’t need a reservation.” She laughed softly and then told him the name of a taco stand Crystal adored. “The chefs there are from Guadalajara, and the way they do their Mexican dishes will make your heart sing.”
“Sounds great. But I can’t make a reservation?”
She laughed again. “You line up and wait like everybody else. But the food will be worth the wait.” He wrote down the name of the place and directions and then thanked her for her help.
As he and Crystal were leaving Arch and Tessa’s place, he asked, “Are you hungry?”
“I am,” she said, splaying a hand on her stomach. “There’s a nice plant-based restaurant not far from here that we could try. I haven’t been there, but I hear it’s good. It’s new since you were last in town.”
He shot her a secretive smile and said, “Nice suggestion, but I know exactly where we’re going.”
She raised an eyebrow, surprised but smiling. They got into his car, both of them enjoying the warm evening air and the anticipation of the night ahead. He drove for a while, and once in Monterey, he pulled over and started checking his GPS for directions, trying to shield the screen from her.
Laughing, she said, “Why are you being so secretive?”
“Because I want to surprise you.”
Her dark eyes softened. He could see her watching the scenery go by and obviously wondering what he had in mind. And then, as they drew closer to their destination, she said, “I don’t believe it.”
He pulled into a busy parking lot, where a food truck was surrounded by basic picnic tables. The lot was full of cars and trucks and, as Sofia Lopez had promised him, there was a long line of people waiting.
Crystal burst out laughing. “I cannot believe you brought me to my favorite place to eat.”
He was happy he’d got it right—with help, of course. “I had inside information. I checked with your mom.”
Again, Crystal’s eyebrows shot up. “It’s a good thing she likes you. Mama does not share the location of this food truck with just anyone. She would hate for word to get out and make the line even longer.”
“Your mom and I have a bond,” he told her loftily.
“She’s always asking me when I’m going to bring that skinny Davenport boy around so she can feed him.” Suddenly Crystal frowned. “But there’s nothing plant-based here but plantain tacos. Will that be enough?”.
“I’m not always plant-based,” he reminded her. “I just like to eat that way because it makes me feel better. I’m not rigid about it.”
So they joined the line, chatting away. He kept the baseball cap pulled low and his sunglasses on, but if anybody recognized him in the line, they didn’t care. The only rock star in this parking lot was the food.
When it was their turn, he said to Crystal, “You order your favorite meal for two.” She didn’t need to be asked twice. She conversed in rapid Spanish with the guy behind the high counter. He went back and forth until she was satisfied.