Page 97 of Sleeping with the Frenemy

Kamilah and Liam were finishing up their first dance together as Leo sang “Creo en Ti” by Reik accompanied by two of his bandmates on guitars and their two teenage daughters playing violins. Sofi sat next to Valeria as she sobbed through the entire thing and repeated over and over how beautiful and perfect it was.

Sofi had to agree with Kamilah’s mom. The song was about how someone had been struggling and suffering until the right person came along at the perfect moment. The love between them gave the singer hope, strength, and the ability to leave their difficult past behind. It was the perfect song for Kamilah and Liam, who’d been through a lot together and separately. Through it all, they’d held on to their love for each other even when they couldn’t or wouldn’t show it.

Sofi smiled and enjoyed the sight of Kamilah and Liam wrapped in each other’s arms swaying to the music while they stared at each other with a love so strong it poured out of them, swept along the dance floor, and enveloped everyone else in the tent with them. It was the same feeling she’d gotten when the doors to the church opened and Kamilah stepped in on her dad’s arm. Her gaze had locked immediately on Liam and Sofi had turned to see his reaction. Any negative feelings she’d harbored for the man had faded away when she’d witnessed Liam doing his best to stop the tears in his eyes from spilling down his cheeks.

As soon as the song finished Sofi was out of her chair. She knew what was coming next, so she went to find her mom, who’d been helping her hold everything down while Sofi was doing her maid of honor thing. Mami was sitting at a small table in the back with Abuela Fina, both of them looking gorgeous in dark pink dresses. Sofi slipped in between the two of them as Gio, the MC and DJ for the night, announced the father-daughter dance, “Llegaste Tú” by Luis Fonsi and Juan Luis Guerra. Sofi rested her head on her mom’s shoulder and closed her eyes to try to prevent the tears from falling even though she knew it was futile. Anything father-daughter related always made Sofi cry. It hurt in a place deep down that nothing could reach. She’d tried her best to cure it, but there was no way. It opened up unexpectedly and bled like old scar tissue.

The music started and her mom gripped Sofi’s hand. “I know, mi amor,” Mami said as Sofi held her breath to stop any sobs from escaping. She kissed Sofi on the forehead. “I get it and I know.”

Abuela Fina gripped Sofi’s other hand and squeezed.

Sofi stayed there in between the two people she loved and trusted the most and let their love comfort her. They loved her without limits or conditions. They were there for her no matter what she said or did. That could be enough for her.

Suddenly the music changed to a salsa beat. Sofi opened her eyes to see Los Rumberos on stage with Papo, Saint, Eddie, and Cristian. Papo and Leo held microphones, but the other three held simple instruments like maracas, the guiro, and a cowbell.

“This is for you, Ojitos de Oro,” Papo said into his microphone. “We want everyone to know that we are the men who loved you first.”

On the dance floor Kamilah exclaimed in surprise and immediately started crying. Her dad held her in his arms as Leo and Papo began to sing a salsa version of “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5. He dragged Kamilah into the dance steps and suddenly they were dancing while Kamilah still cried and the videographer caught every second.

“Fuck,” Sofi exclaimed, burying her face in the handkerchief Ben had slipped her during the video. There was no way she’d keep it together now.

Mami wrapped her arms around Sofi and hugged her close. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s go get crumped.”

Sofi laughed through her sobs. “It’s ‘crunk’ not ‘crumped’ and no one says that anymore.”

“Yeah,” Abuela Fina said. “Now they say ‘light.’”

“Lit,” Sofi corrected. “And I don’t know if they still say that either.”

“Listen I don’t care what it’s called,” Mami said. “All I know is that there is an open bar over there and I plan on using it. Now, are you coming or not?”

“Hell yes, I’m coming.”

“Me too,” Abuela Fina said. Tossing her napkin on the table and standing up.

They ordered three shots of tequila plus three of the signature cocktails Leo had created for the wedding. They’d just slammed their shot back when Lucy and Liza came up next to them holding hands and looking adorable in their matching gold sequin outfits: Lucy’s jumpsuit and Liza’s off-the-shoulder dress.

“Now this is what I’m talking about,” Liza said. “Enough watching other people dance. I want to drink.”

“Dear God, yes. Give me alcohol. All the alcohol,” Lucy agreed.

Sofi passed Lucy her drink only to watch Lucy chug it in two seconds.

“My parents are bitching about our courthouse wedding again,” she said in explanation. “My mom wants us to renew our vows so we can ‘have a real wedding before those far-right dingbats make it illegal.’”

Sofi shook her head. “You mean you don’t want to discuss politicians revoking your right to love and marry whomever you want at your cousin’s hetero wedding?”

Lucy accepted a shot from Liza. “Shocking, I know,” she said with a wry smile before she and her wife took their shots.

Kamilah came up to the group and threw her arms around Sofi. “Everything is so gorgeous. More beautiful than I ever imagined. Thank you so much. I love you.”

Sofi returned her hug. “You’re welcome, love. I’m happy you’re having a good time and not stressing about anything.”

“I stopped stressing as soon as you told me you’d take care of everything. I’ve been to your work events. I knew you’d kill it.”

“Here,” Mami offered, passing Kamilah a shot. “Take this.”

“Alicia, this is why I love you,” Kamilah said, accepting the drink. “You always know exactly what someone needs.”

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