Page 90 of Sleeping with the Frenemy

“Ooph. Someone is cranky,” Eddie said. “We’d better get out of here before she goes full bridezilla.”

Kamilah just smirked. “There are some new starters I’m trying out waiting for you downstairs. Let me know what you think.”

Suddenly, Papi and their brothers couldn’t leave fast enough. The only person who stayed was Mami.

She was looking at Leo with love and worry. “Are you sure we’re okay?” she asked.

Leo nodded. “We’re more than okay. You know you’ll always be my number one girl.”

Her eyes filled. “I meant every word I said. I love you and I’m proud of you.”

“I love you too, Mami. Now go, so Kamilah can yell at me in peace.”

Mami looked at Kamilah. “You take it easy on your brother. He got shot and dumped.”

Kamilah rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mami. I won’t berate your baby boy.”

“Good.” After a decisive nod, she left.

Kamilah shook her head and looked at him. “Here I always thought Eddie was her favorite.”

Leo smirked. “You heard her. I’m her miracle.”

“You’d think she’d remember that I too was born early all thanks to your diva-ass causing an emergency cesarian less than two years earlier.”

“Don’t blame that on me, she wanted you born early so you wouldn’t come out a Halloween demon baby. Too bad she waited too long and it happened anyway.”

Kamilah stuck her tongue out at him, her go-to move when she couldn’t think of a comeback.

“About Liam,” he said, getting serious. “I know it seems like I’m not taking the bar seriously, but I am. I will make sure that I hire someone great to bartend until I can do it, but I’ll still develop the menu, talk to the vendors, and basically manage everything like I promised. Making this bar successful is my priority.” It was the only thing he had going for him, so it had to be his priority.

“Good,” she said, both sounding and looking like their mother, especially because she gave the same quick nod. “But that’s not actually why I wanted to talk to you alone.”

Leo dropped his head back. “Ugh.” He lifted it and shot Kamilah a look. “Please tell me that this isn’t about Sofi.”

“Of course it is.” Kamilah came around and sat on the edge of the coffee table in front of him. She leveled him with a no-nonsense look. “What happened after we left, Leo?”

“You mean she didn’t tell you everything when she went to stay at your house?”

“No, she refused to talk about it. She said that she didn’t want me to be in the middle.”

“Then maybe listen to her and stay out of it.” He looked at the expression on his sister’s face. “Right. I forgot who I was talking to. You couldn’t stay out of it even if we dropped you in a cage in the ocean.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “This is true.”

Leo sighed, but let it out anyway. “We argued some more, obviously, and I flat out asked her if she wanted to be with me. She couldn’t answer. I told her that I loved her and she told me that we’re doomed because I want what she can’t give me. Then I basically told her that I was done trying to make things work with her.”

“And are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Done with her?”

Leo scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m tired, Sideshow Bob. I’ve been trying to get her to give me a chance since we were teens. I don’t want to keep doing this for the rest of my life. After I got shot, I promised myself that I wouldn’t fall into the same patterns. That I’d make my second chance worth it.”

“Leo, I’m going to give you some hard-learned advice.”

“Look, I know she’s your best friend and you know her very well, but trust me I know her better.”

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