Page 136 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

“Oh my God. Is this Angelo’s little sister?” she gasped, looking like she had just found a new muse. “Stand up, please!”

Katerina blinked, her copper-brown hair cascading down her back as she slowly rose to her feet, looking as if she wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or preparing to defend herself. She was wearing bicycle shorts and a tank top, her figure accentuated in a way that made Amira’s jaw drop.

Amira whistled appreciatively. “Can I use you?”

“Pardon?” Katerina blurted out, looking scandalized.

Allison burst out laughing, enjoying every second of the awkward exchange. “For modeling, Katia. Amira’s a fashion designer. Afantasticone.”

Katerina visibly relaxed and smiled. “Oh! Well, in that case, I’d be delighted.”

Amira jumped up and down like a kid in a candy store, quickly securing Katerina’s number before launching into full fashion mode. “This is so exciting! Thank you! I swear I’ll make you look like a goddess.”

Katerina chuckled. “I’m Greek, darling. That’s kind of the brand.”

Allison watched them with a fond smile, her heart swelling. These two women had become so important to her in such different ways, and seeing them bond made her happier than she could put into words.

After four hours of chatting, tweaking measurements, and a mini fashion show, Allison’s new maternity wardrobe was ready. But because that had beenwork, they decided more fun was in order. They settled on re-watching an old rom-com (Mamma Mia, because Katerina insisted it was a “cultural masterpiece”) while devouring the emergency ice cream stash from the back of Angelo’s freezer.

“Seriously, we’re only twenty minutes in and there have already been like five songs,” Amira complained, her spoon halfway to her mouth.

“That’s the beauty of it,” Katerina said with an air of superiority, clearly ready to die on this hill.

Amira gave her a skeptical look. “How is that the beauty ofanything, Katia?”

“Because it’s amusical!” Katerina replied as if that explained everything. “And they’re 70’s and 80’s hits. Awesome songs, by the way.”

Amira rolled her eyes. “Still bullshit.”

Katerina gasped dramatically, clutching her imaginary pearls. “Amira! How dare you cuss at my favorite musical! It’s filmed in Greece, for God’s sake!”

Allison couldn’t stop smiling. Watching the two of them bicker was like watching two cats swat at each other—light-hearted, fun, and oddly endearing. She hadn’t realized just how much she needed this: a moment of pure, carefree joy.

It was the kind of friendship she’d always wanted but had never really had. Sure, she loved her brothers, but their idea of bonding was way more… intense. This was easy. Real. A little chaotic, but in the best possible way.

She laughed as Amira referred to Katerina’s favorite male character as a “meatless oaf,” which triggered a string of outraged sounds from Katerina that could only be describedas bat-like—although that might be offending to the winged creatures.

If bats could be offended, that is.

Allison’s heart warmed as she watched the two of them. Amira, her best friend, had embraced Katerina like a little sister, something Allison knew her friend had always secretly wanted. Amira was an only child and had long envied the bond Allison shared with her brothers. Now, here they were, creating something special of their own.

Life was so good right now, it almost felt like a dream.

Thirty-Two

ALLISON

Definitely not a dream.

More like a nightmare.

Thirty-Three

ANGELO

Angelo had been simmering for three weeks now, his anger growing with each passing day.

First, his sister moved in, throwing a wrench in his personal life. Then, Johnathan showed up, stirring up trouble with both him and Allison. And as if that wasn’t enough, work had consumed so much of his time that not only had he missed his woman, but he’d also missed the last ultrasound just a few days ago.

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