Best Friends

Chapter 1

"Nestor, one last thing before you go."

Miguel's voice caused Nestor to stop mid step and turn on his heel. He looked expectantly at his friend, although now he was acting as his employer, aching to just go home after the 42 straight hours he'd put in.

"Of course," he nodded dutifully. "What is it?"

"Emily's made a new friend," Miguel said, his tone slightly condescending, "Someone from her yoga class, I think. She wants to have her over for lunch tomorrow and I want to know a little more about her before she arrives."

Nestor hid his relief, not wanting to offend Miguel, and happily agreed to the easy assignment. "I can do that. Have it over to you before I crash."

"Thank you, Nestor," Miguel smiled warmly. "Go get some sleep, you need it. I'll text you the name," he was already unlocking his phone as he said it.

"Good night," Nestor said, eager to get out of the office before Miguel had another task for him, one that wasn't as easy as the background check or able to be completed from his own home.

He felt his phone vibrate in his coat pocket but left it, relaxing back in the driver's seat on his way home, decompressing from the days he'd spent on nonstop. It was his job, Miguel was his family, but god dammit he was tired.

Unlocking the front door, Nestor heard the welcoming barks of his bully mutt Bruiser who said to a stop at his feet, well trained but eager to see his human had finally come home.

"Hey buddy," Nestor shut the door and immediately crouched down, scratching and petting the dog. He was just as happy to see Bruiser as Bruiser was to see Nestor. "I know, I know, come on," he stood. "Mrs Jarrett doesn't give you enough treats."

The two of them went toward the kitchen and Nestor tossed the pup a few bones while he turned to the liquor cabinet for a much needed drink. He yawned, grabbing the glass and heading to his office with Bruiser not far behind. His fingers moved swiftly over the keys to start his small project for Miguel before would be able to crash out.

Isabella Theriot.

Her California license popped up first and Nestor sat up a little straighter. She was gorgeous and his lips curled into a small smile as he moved to social media next rather than running her record and employment information.

Nestor wasn't sure where Emily could have met this woman, Miguel mentioned yoga possibly, or what they would have in common but he was interested after seeing the mix of photos of whiskey tastings, wild nights, family and predawn runner selfies.

That was not who he expected to see Emily spending time with and while Miguel might not be thrilled about it, the girl seemed like fun and more than piqued Nestor's interest. So much so he stayed up far later than he had to to provide Miguel with a detailed dossier on Miss Theriot.

—

That next afternoon, unaware of exactly what was awaiting her, Isabella pulled up to Emily's to find a man in a black suit lingering a few feet from the front door. She was in a good mood but that visual was unexpected. He looked at her, recognizing her face from the information Nestor had provided and moved to open the car door for her.

"Mrs. Galindo is just inside."

"Oh," Isabella chuckled. "Thank you."

She knew Emily was rich but she did not expect this. Walking toward the front of the house she smoothed her black, sleeveless tank down over her body and hopped up the small step toward the door. She knocked and the door immediately opened.

"Hi," she said with a little wave. "Can Emily come out to play?"

Nestor was taken aback by the joke but cracked a smile, his gold tooth on display for a moment, and let out a genuine chuckle. He would have laughed no matter what, it was polite and she was pretty but that was actually clever.