Like No One Else by Maureen Smith

“It was one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to.”
    â€œOh, I’ll bet it was.” Unable to resist, Tommie added sweetly, “How is she, by the way? You know, the lovely young brunette I caught you molesting in the bridal suite?”
    Paulo chuckled softly, shaking his head at her. “Still holding a grudge about that, Tommie? Tell you what. The next wedding we attend together, I’ll let you molest me during the reception. Afterward, too, if you’re really good.”
    â€œPaulo!” Daniela gasped, torn between shock and amusement.
    With a mischievous grin, Zhane suggested, “Hey, you never know. The next wedding you two attend together might be your own.”
    This time Tommie did kick him under the table. Hard.
    â€œOuch!” he howled.
    Tommie just glared at him, unrepentant.
    â€œYour wings and waffles are making my mouth water, Tommie,” Daniela said, her hazel eyes still twinkling with laughter. “I’d better go order my own before I dive face-first into your plate.”
    â€œWhy don’t you and Paulo join us?” Zhane offered, all but daring Tommie to kick him in the shin again. “I know how hard it is to get a table in here. Makes no sense for y’all to wait around when we’ve got plenty of room to spare.”
    â€œThat’s very sweet of you, Zhane. Do you mind?” Daniela asked, dividing a glance between Tommie and Paulo, who looked distinctly amused as he held Tommie’s gaze.
    â€œI don’t mind,” he drawled. “Miss Purnell?”
    â€œOf course I don’t mind. You’re both welcome to join us.” Really, what else could she say?
    Daniela smiled. “Great! I’ll go order our food. No, stay,” she insisted when Paulo offered to take care of it. “I got it. You always mess up the order, anyway.”
    â€œI’ll go with you,” Zhane said, already on his feet. As he and Daniela started away together, he said to her, “Say, you wouldn’t happen to be a member of the Santiago family, would you?”
    â€œGuilty as charged.”
    Zhane let out a delighted squeal. “Go on, girl! You’re like Houston royalty!”
    Daniela’s laughing response was drowned out by the noisy din of the restaurant as they moved off. Tommie and Paulo stared after them for a moment, then looked at each other, chuckling quietly.
    â€œYour friend’s quite a character,” Paulo commented.
    â€œYeah. He reminds me of the friends I had back in New York.” Tommie sighed contentedly. “It’s great to have soul mates.”
    Paulo cocked an amused brow at her, but said nothing. When he slid into the booth beside her and his knee accidentally brushed hers, heat shot through her veins. She opened her mouth to ask him what the hell he was doing, then changed her mind. She knew he’d sat down next to her, purposely ignoring the other side of the booth, just to unnerve her. She refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d succeeded.
    â€œYou come here often?” he asked.
    â€œEvery Tuesday. What about you?”
    â€œHaven’t been here in months. It’s one of Daniela’s favorite restaurants.”
    â€œMine, too.” Tommie chuckled. “Zhane thinks it’s a greasy spoon.”
    â€œYet he comes here every week. Just for you.”
    â€œThat’s what friends are for.” Tommie gave him a whimsical smile. “Daniela’s beautiful. She looks a lot like her brother, Rafe.”
    â€œThat’s what everyone always says.”
    â€œIs she a lawyer like the rest of the family?”
    â€œYep. Best civil litigation attorney in the state. If you ever need legal representation, she’s your woman.”
    â€œI probably couldn’t afford her,” Tommie said wryly.
    Paulo chuckled. “That makes two of us.”
    They grinned at each other.
    Without thinking Tommie reached out, touching the