Page 98 of Sleeping with the Frenemy

“It’s because she’s a nurse,” Abuela Fina said with pride, her own shot in hand.

Someone handed Sofi a shot, so she raised it. “To Kamilah and Liam.”

Kamilah shook her head. “No.” She raised her shot glass. “This one’s to badass women who build each other up!”

“Cheers!” everyone else yelled before slamming back their tequila.

“Okay.” Sofi grabbed Kamilah’s hand. “Ready for your outfit change?” They’d gotten Kamilah a reception dress—a simple white tulle A-line with a corset top, thick shoulder straps, and a tea-length skirt. It was just the right amount of pretty, flowy, sexy, and classy. Plus, it was perfect for dancing.

“I am so ready. I love this dress, but it’s heavy as hell and I feel like I can barely move.” She shifted around as if trying to get comfortable. “But I had my mom put my other dress in Leo’s place because the kids are already taking over mine.”

Sofi knew she was asking if it was okay that they’d have to go to Leo’s apartment. Sofi wasn’t sure if it was. She’d been avoiding the place like the plague even though she still had stuff there. It just hurt too much to go in and know that it was no longer her home. It didn’t matter that she’d stopped being a dumbass and decided to finally get out of her own way. She still didn’t know how Leo felt, so she should be respecting his space. But this was Kamilah’s wedding and what the bride says goes, so while it wasn’t her first choice, she’d go up. Besides, she’d successfully spent the day around the actual man, going into his place was nothing in comparison. She tugged Kamilah through the tent, into the distillery, and then back past the door that led to Kamilah’s place where the mini Vegas were playing board and video games and raiding the fridge. Sofi held Kamilah’s train as they climbed the stairs.

When they opened the door to Leo’s apartment, Sofi sucked in a breath. On the dining room wall, in place of the collage of wedding inspiration pictures she’d put there, was her and her tío Manny’s map. It had been mounted in a frame and covered with glass. She walked closer and noticed that while all of the places she and her uncle had circled were under the glass, there were other places circled outside the glass—São Paulo in Brazil, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and most of Australia including the Great Barrier Reef. She turned to her best friend. “What’s this?” she asked Kamilah.

“I don’t know.” Kamilah shrugged. “Leo must be doing something.” She gestured to the dining room table.

Sofi looked down, shocked to see piles of travel books and brochures. They were spread out all over the place. Some were open and highlighted and annotated while others had colorful Post-it notes sticking out like piñatas.

“I can see you’re going through something right now, so I’m just going to go get myself ready.” Kamilah walked down the hall to one of the rooms.

Sofi kept swinging her head between the map on the wall and the books on the table. Had Leo really done this? What did it mean? Was she even supposed to know about this? Her mind whirled with more questions. Then something on the corner of the table caught her eye. Sofi picked it up and saw it was paperwork for a passport. She was thunderstruck to see Leo’s information filled in. What did he need a passport for? He’d said that everything he needed was in Chicago. Was he going on some sort of trip? Why use her map?

“Ready to get our party on?” Kamilah asked, stepping back into the room in her new dress.

Sofi was ready for something, but not a party. She was ready for answers. She walked to the door and held out a hand for Kamilah. Together they rushed back out to the party.

Sofi was surprised to see almost everyone stopped and looking in their direction. “What the fuck is going on?” she whispered in an aside to Kamilah, while scanning the faces that seemed to be looking at her and not Kamilah.

“I don’t know,” Kamilah whispered back. “Maybe they needed me for something.”

Sofi didn’t think so.

Leo stood on the stage staring at her. “There you are,” he said into the mic. “We’ve been waiting for you to come back. Get over here, bombón. I have something to say to you.”

Sofi’s heart kicked up.

“Fucking Leo,” Kamilah whispered.

“Exactly,” Sofi said.

Kamilah grabbed her hand and turned Sofi to face her. “You don’t have to go up there if you don’t want to.”

Sofi was touched by the concern on her best friend’s face, but she wasn’t worried. Not exactly. “It’s okay. I’m ready.”

“Are you sure?”

Sofi nodded. “Yeah.”

Kamilah smiled and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “I love you, bestie. Now go get your annoying-ass man.”

Sofi chuckled but as soon as she turned the nerves came back. She swallowed thickly and walked forward. Everyone in the crowd moved out of her way until she was right in front of the stage. She looked up at Leo.

He crouched down, still wearing his emerald green wedding tux that made his eyes look like jade. “Hey.”

Sofi arched a brow. Really? Did he think that was going to work?

He smirked as if reading her mind. “I have something to tell you.”

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