Page 199 of Corrupting Camille

More laughter erupts, louder this time, ringing warmly around me. I breathe easier, relaxing as Rosa hands me a glass filled with something icy and sweet-smelling.

“How do you manage to survive his temper? Does he smile when it’s just you two?” Another woman…Maria asks.

I laugh, relaxing despite myself. “Sometimes he smiles. Briefly.”

She winks conspiratorially. “Eso es amor, then.”

Before I can respond, a sudden eruption of laughter fills the kitchen, the kind of laughter that’s loud and unapologetic, tumbling into the room like sunlight through an open window. Two girls appear in the doorway, dark curls flying, eyes bright with mischief. They halt abruptly when they see me, curiosity sparking instantly in identical faces.

“Ah,” Rosa says with a sigh, smiling like she’s already tired and amused at once. “Las tormentas have arrived.”

The two girls exchange a look that’s pure chaos and coordination, then strut into the kitchen like they own the damn place. Which, judging by Rosa’s tone, they kind of do.

“Camille,” Rosa says, rising with the elegance of a woman who could run the world in slippers and a silk robe, “these are my hijas…Marisol and Reina. Twenty, loud, impossible, and deeply in love with their own opinions.”

Reina grins, unabashed. “That’s not fair, Mami. I’m also deeply in love with tequila.”

Marisol bumps her hip. “And boys who are bad for you.”

“Which means we’re basically Kane in feminine form,” Reina adds, eyes narrowing with faux-serious intrigue as she turns to me. “So. You’re her.”

I blink. “Her?”

“The reason Kane said no to poker night. Twice.” Marisol grins wide, circling me slowly. “The one with the eyes. The mouth. The attitude.”

Reina crosses her arms. “And the Instagram photos. Which, for the record, don’t do you justice. Your bone structure’s, like… disrespectful.”

I can’t help it, I laugh. Loud and real, like they dragged it out of me by sheer force of will.

“We stalked your socials last night. Research purposes.”

I smile wider, relaxing into their teasing honesty. “It’s okay. I would’ve done the same.”

“See, Mari?” Reina smirks triumphantly. “I told you she was cool.”

Rosa rolls her eyes dramatically, pouring them each coffee. “Cuidado, niñas. No la asusten. She just got here.”

“We won’t scare her,” Marisol promises, eyes twinkling. “We’re here to rescue her. Kane’s probably been brooding all over her since she landed.”

Reina grabs my wrist, tugging me off the stool gently. “You look like you need tequila, Cam. Trust us, we’re professionals.”

Rosa waves us away, eyes bright with amusement. “Don’t ruin her. Kane’s already done enough damage.”

“We’ll be gentle,” Reina promises innocently. “Mostly.”

Marisol laughs wickedly, her smile lighting up her face. “Yeah, mostly.”

The twins lead me deeper into the house, their easy chatter washing over me like a warm, comfortable wave. They pepper me with questions, how Kane and I met, how serious we are, whether he snores, and I answer, laughing until my sides ache.The anxiety that’d clung to me all day eases, slipping quietly away.

Then, suddenly, the twins halt, their heads snapping around at the loud, dramatic sigh behind us.

“You’re not gonna tell her everything without me, are you?”

Lucía, tiny and fierce, stands in the doorway, arms crossed, dark curls wild around her face. Her shirt reads “Latina & Legendary,” and her eyes are sharp with adolescent sass.

“Lucía,” Reina groans, rolling her eyes fondly. “We’re doing grown-up stuff.”

Lucía scoffs dramatically, stepping forward with exaggerated offense. “My quince is next month, Mari. I’m practically grown.”