Page 31

I sigh. “The best I’ve ever had.”

I go through an abbreviated version of the story of how we agreed to give each other the perfect Noche Buena, but then Mateo got injured, and I went to New York to be there for him, leaving Ollie behind.”

Her slack jaw dissolves into a smile. “No wonder you’ve been so mopey even though you were back with Mateo. You should have dumped his ass and stayed with Ollie.”

“I don’t disagree, but that is not what he wanted. He had someone else in mind.”

“How do we get a repeat of that?”

I gape at her. “Are you not listening, Lo? It’s a disaster, and he’s dating someone. Not to mention he’s friends with everyone in my family. I’m not trying to get into anything messy. We can’t repeat it, and this can’t be fixed. I fired him.”

“You fired him?” she yells, and I wince. I still can’t believe those words came out of my mouth.

“It got nasty, I tell you. He pissed me off, and maybe this is too close to home. He’s friends with my brothers, and he’s Ayla’s dad, and she’s Bron’s best friend. You all love him. He’s a good friend to all of you.”

“He is.”

“Shouldn’t there be boundaries?”

She nods. “You can establish them when you rehire him.”

“Why would I do that? He hasn’t even apologized or asked me to take him back.”

She winks at me “He will.”

“I doubt it. He was pissed off. You didn’t see him.”

She points at my phone. “Before we stop for breakfast, he will message you.”

No way.

“What makes you so sure?”

She shrugs. “I know him. He’s a nice guy and respectful. Plus, the way he looks at you…and he’s had a taste too…”

My belly dips. No. I am not thinking about that.

“Stop it.”

“His eyes bugged out when he saw you the first time at Cam and Adri’s housewarming party…and the way he got so close at Winter’s wedding… He is going to apologize. You have to decide what you’ll do then.”

What would I do if he calls?

“I don’t know if I should entertain any of it.”

She takes out her phone and looks at it. My brother’s name is on the screen. “A conversation won’t kill anyone.”

Then she proceeds to answer.

It won’t kill anyone, but I already have issues saying no. And not working with him would mean I don’t have to see him—which is for the best, Luciana, because he’s not interested. That was clear from the way he talked to me yesterday. And there’s the woman he was on the phone with. He sounded extra cozy.

He may find me attractive, but he doesn’t think much of me. And I can’t make a fool out of myself again. This can’t be Mateo part two.

“Your brother is something else.” The smile on her face tells me she finds whatever he said endearing.

Poor soul.

“You’re hopelessly in love.”