Page 20 of Mabilia

“Nope. I saved my appetite because you make the best pancakes, Zia Iz,” Aurora replies, sucking up.

“We don’t have time for breakfast. We’ll get something on the way,” I tell Aurora, grabbing hold of her arm.

“Whoa, what happened to your hair?” Aurora’s eyes widen, her gaze focusing behind me.

“Mabilia happened. Be thankful you don’t have sisters,” Neo groans. “I’m not going to school looking like this.”

“You’re going to school,” Papa says in his no-nonsense tone.

“You can’t be serious. Look at me.” Neo draws a circle around his face.

“I don’t care if your skin turned pink, Neo. You’re not skipping school,” Papa orders before turning his back and walking off. His way of saying he’s done with the conversation.

“We gotta run. Catch you later, Mom,” I call out over a shoulder while dragging Aurora behind me. As soon as we’re out of the gates, Aurora aims a glare in my direction.

“What did he do?” she asks.

“He hit someone I like,” I tell her. “Just because the men in our family think they have a say in who we date doesn’t mean we have to lie down and take their bullshit,” I seethe. “I am not letting them ruin this for me. I really, really like this guy.”

“Whoisthis guy?” Aurora asks, her eyes narrowed in on me.

“Tommy.” I smile.

“When do I get to meet thisTommy?” she says, returning her focus to the road.

“When I’m ready for you to meet him,” I tell her.

“Okay, so this is why we’re shopping today?”

“I need to find the sluttiest clothes. Tommy hid my dress from me last night because he didn’t like how revealing it was. He’s going to regret that.”

“Oh my god, you found a guy just like all the others in our family.” Aurora laughs.

“Nope, he’s different. He’s not made,” I tell her.

“What’s he do then?”

“He’s in college. And he owns a bar.”

“A guy in college… who owns a bar and also drives a Ferrari?” She raises an inquisitive brow.

“How do you know what he drives?” I counter.

“I saw you get into his car the other day. Also, he might not be made, but he’s not aboveboard either. He’s into underground gambling and laundering money through his bar,” Aurora informs me.

My jaw drops. “How do you know that?”

“I have my ways of finding information.” She shrugs. “Did you know what he does?”

“I know. He told me.” Well, not about the laundering part, but he told me about the poker. Who am I to judge how he makes his money?

“Good, as long as you know. How serious is this thing?” Aurora prods.

“He asked me to be exclusive.” I smile. “And I said yes.”

“Exclusive? You sure you want to tie yourself down to one guy? We’re going to be in college next year. Think of all the parties, all the hotness we could have.” She shakes her head.

“I’m good, and I like Tommy.”

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