Read Teaching Roman for Free Online Page B

she was probably going to get both of our asses thrown in jail. Pulling out the credit card I waved it at the shop owner.
    “Para,” I said, pointing to the damage.
    His grimace sank further and he slapped a small sign that hung near him.
    Únicamente efectivo.
    I couldn’t read that, but I could read the translation scrawled below it. Cash only.
    Crap. Digging through Cassie’s wallet turned up, a few pesos, a condom, and some business cards. Of course, that’s all she would be carrying on her right now.
    I offered the man the pesos, and he laughed.
    “Cien pesos,” he said.
    I shook my head that I didn’t have it and he produced a cell phone. “Policía.”
    “No! No! No! Un minute,” I said, resolving on the spot to buy Spanish language software as soon as I got back to Olympic Falls. If I ever managed to get back there. I couldn’t help but think that I might wind up wasting away here. Scrambling into my own bag, I searched until I found Roman’s business card and dialed his number before I could think better of it. He was the only Spanish speaker I knew here, and the best shot I had at getting us out of this.
    It rang twice before he picked up. “Hello?”
    “Oh thank god,” I said.
    “Jess?”
    “I’m so sorry to call you like this, but I don’t know what else to do and Cassie’s going to wind up in Mexican prison and possibly me too—”
    “Slow down,” Roman said. “Where are you?”
    I looked up and repeated the cross streets to him.
    “I’ll be there in ten minutes,” he promised.
    “Roman,” I said before he could hang up, “can you bring one hundred pesos?”
    Roman arrived in a pair of white linen pants and a gray t-shirt, confirming my fear that I’d interrupted his evening. He’d clearly been with his grandmother, relaxing, and now he had to deal with two former students. But his casual attire coupled with his perfect body made him look more like a movie star than anyone had a right to, especially a teacher. There was a casual confidence to his walk, and he flashed me a quick smile as he began speaking in swift Spanish to the shop owner.
    “He says he’s going to call the police if the damaged magazines aren’t paid for,” Roman explained.
    “I know,” I said. “But he won’t take a credit card and we don’t have enough cash. I considered running for it, but Cassie is a tad sauced.”
    Roman’s eyes darted to Cassie who was draped across me for support. “So I see.”
    He turned and spoke for another few minutes with the shop owner before he pulled a few bills from his pocket and handed them over.
    “It’s dealt with,” he said, returning his attention to me.
    “Thank you." I exhaled in relief. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what to do. She's suffering from temporary, post-break-up insanity.”
    “Don’t worry about,” he said. “I couldn’t let you wind up in Mexican jail.”
    “Fuck jail,” Cassie slurred. She tried to take a step forward on her own, but she misjudged her ability to walk, catching her foot on the pavement and crashing toward the cement. Roman caught her around the waist and pulled her into his arms.
    “Where to?” he asked me.
    “You don’t have to do that,” I said. “I can get her back.”
    “I won’t sleep tonight if I’m worried about you,” he said. His voice was soft and deep, leaving me dizzy.
    “We’re not far.”
    “Great, in which direction is not far?”
    I could tell he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “We’re two blocks that way.”
    I hadn’t been here long enough to have a strong sense of direction, and I really hoped I wasn’t about to get us all lost.
    Gathering up the bags Cassie had dropped when she went on her rager and my own bags, I led him toward our hotel.
    “I’m really sorry,” I said again.
    “Stop apologizing or I’m going to have to punish you,” he said.
    My breath hitched in my throat. I was sure I wasn’t imagining the suggestive tone of his voice. I pushed it aside and