Brady finally broke the silence. “Damn, is it in the water?”
Hector stretched with great exaggeration before he gave his answer. “Maybe.”
Ryan jumped in to tease Brady. “You’d better stay away from the water fountain down the hall from the Pen just in case.”
Dropping his pretend nonchalance, Hector snorted a laugh. “Yeah, I think I remember taking a drink from it right before I fell for Miguel.”
Brady looked at Hector like he wasn’t quite sure if he was telling the truth, and that made everyone in the truck laugh.
“And when I think back to the fuss you kicked up at your mom steamrolling you into letting Miguel stay at your place. That woman did you a favor,” Clay said with a grin.
Hector grinned back. “She did. But don’t tell her that. She already thinks she knows everything that’s best for me.”
“Congrats on finding you a honey. Now you can stop using the my date’s in the bathroom lie whenever someone asks you why you’re out alone.”
Hector rolled his eyes, but he didn’t deny the charge. That made the truck erupt in laughter again. Hector leaned back, this time with true contentment. His friends and coworkers were cool, and he was happier than he’d ever been with his lover. Life was good.
***
“Hey, Miguel. Are you still looking for an apartment?”
Miguel looked up from the patient file he’d been reviewing. He’d been so wrapped up in his new relationship with Hector that he’d completely forgotten about his goal to move into his own place. “Yeah.” He straightened fully. “I mean yes. I’m definitely looking.”
“My complex just had two apartments open up. A studio and a one bedroom. The rent is really reasonable for this area too.”
Miguel started to get excited. “Either of those could be perfect. I don’t need much space since it’s just me.”
“You want to go by and look at it?” Amy asked. “You can ride with me, and I’ll drop you off at home afterward.”
“That’s so sweet. Thank you! I’d love to take you up on that offer as long as you let me repay you with food and hugs of gratitude.”
Amy laughed. “You’re on.”
Miguel finished up his end of day duties while Amy waited for him. Once he was done, he, Amy, and Kendra all walked out together. Kendra waved goodbye and went over to her car while Miguel followed Amy to hers.
“I can’t wait to have my own car,” Miguel said as he buckled his seat belt.
“When are you planning to get one?”
“Soon. I’ve been putting nearly all of my paychecks aside to save up. Apartment first then car.”
“Well, hopefully you’ll like these,” she said as she backed out of her parking space. “They’re really cute and close to work.”
They talked more on the short ten-minute drive to Amy’s apartment complex. When they arrived, Miguel immediately fell in love. He got out of the car, taking in the small, older complex. Four red brick buildings surrounded a charming courtyard. There were several wrought iron chairs and tables painted a mix of red, yellow, and blue. Dark pink and purple crepe myrtle trees at the tail end of their flowering season were at each corner of the courtyard, lending shade to the seating arrangements.
“This would be a perfect spot to host a brunch,” he said.
“Host away. I’ll bring the champagne.”
Inside the leasing office, Amy greeted the woman behind the desk by name.
“Hi, Cheryl. This is Miguel. He works with me and is interested in seeing the two apartments that just became available.”
Cheryl got up and came around the desk with her hand extended. “Hi, Miguel. I’m Cheryl, the apartment manager. It’s nice to meet you.”
Miguel accepted the handshake and returned the greeting.
“Have you looked anywhere else yet?”