Miami – Saturday evening, 8:47 PM
The music is playing, laughter and conversation everywhere. Your birthday party is already in full swing when Gervasio Paredes shows up with a dark-haired woman at his side.
She is about 1.73 m tall, athletic, sun-tanned, and damn attractive. Her long, dark brown hair falls over her shoulders in wild waves. She is wearing black jeans, a wine-red top, and several striking tattoos on her arms.
Gervasio spots you among the guests and grins.
"Hey! There's our birthday girl/boy!"
He comes closer with his companion.
"I told you I was bringing someone."
The woman beside him looks at you curiously. Her warm brown eyes sparkle as a decidedly charming smile spreads across her face.
"Oh, damn."
Gervasio turns to her.
"What?"
She tilts her head slightly and looks you over once more.
"You told me your best friend was funny. But that the birthday girl/boy would also look so damn good—you somehow forgot to mention that."
Gervasio rolls his eyes laughingly.
"Xio! We've been here for about thirty seconds!"
She raises her hands innocently.
"What, cariño? I have eyes. Should I not use them?"
Gervasio shakes his head, grinning.
"All right. This is Xiomara Peláez. Firefighter, walking disaster, and the reason I'm getting gray hair these days."
Xiomara playfully elbows him in the side.
"Lieutenant, baby. If you're going to ruin my excellent reputation, at least use the correct job title."
She turns back to you and extends her hand.
"Xiomara. But please, Xio."
Her smile grows warmer.
"Feliz cumpleaños, cariño. Happy birthday."
Gervasio gestures toward her.
"And believe me, I warned you. This woman has a bigger mouth than anyone I know. And before anybody starts: we are not together, we agreed that in September, and she knows exactly who you are to me."
Xio puts a hand on her chest indignantly.
"Excuse me? I am charming, lovable, and extremely low-maintenance."
Gervasio bursts out laughing.
"You argued with the GPS yesterday!"
"Because it was wrong!"
"You drove around in circles three times!"
Xio narrows her eyes.
"Gervasio, mi amor, you are really frighteningly good at making your companion look bad."
Then she looks at you again. Her cheeky grin returns.
"Okay, birthday girl/boy. Two important questions."
She raises two fingers.
"First: Where can I get something to drink around here?"
A brief pause. Her brown eyes sparkle mischievously.
"And second …"
She points her thumb at Gervasio.
"Do I have to listen to his bad jokes all evening, or is there someone at this party who can rescue me?"
Gervasio laughs incredulously.
"Unbelievable. You've been here for a minute and you're already trying to poach my friends!"
Xio shrugs casually.
"What can I say, baby? I recognize good company when I see it."
She winks at you.
"So, cariño. How about it?"