Page 5 of Not In Love

Diego nearly burned his hand when he threw the pasta into the simmering sauce too fast. “I’m working on it.”

She gave him an arch look that had been a staple when he and Kaif, Kash’s younger brother, got into trouble. “You’ve been working on it for a year, D. She’ll probably throw the offer back in your face, but this is important, right?”

“Don’t,” he bit out, before he could stop himself.

She gave the pasta pot a quick stir while he chopped cilantro. “Don’t what?”

The knife fell to the counter with a clatter. “Don’t talk about her like that. It’s one thing for Mama to say things about Kash not letting Tia stay overnight with her, but I won’t stand it from you.”

Muriel snorted, completely unruffled by his outburst. “Does she know what a champion she has in you?” A long exhale made her shoulders droop. “I’m not being disrespectful to her, D. We’ve all heard legendary stories from our mamas as to how hard she’s worked to hold this family together. I just…” she clasped his hand and pushed it under cold water. “You’ve been rearranging your whole life around Tia. And Kash still looks at you like you’re about to fumble the ball.”

His jaw flexed. “Can you honestly blame her?”

After a tense second, Muriel shook her head. Her gaze flicked to Tia again before settling on him. “Let’s not forget it’s also because you won’t tell her what a cheating liar Katrina was. Just because she’s dead doesn’t mean we turn her into a saint, D. That’s only for Tia—not us.”

His chest tightened, the past rising like smoke.

At twenty-one, he’d refused to believe Katrina’s claim that she was pregnant with his child. Told her he wanted nothing to do with her or the baby. He had even called Kash and threatened to get a restraining order if Katrina didn’t leave him alone.

Weeks before, he’d walked into his own apartment to find Kat writhing under his teammate, neither of them noticing him. And it hadn’t been a one-time thing either. Months of betrayal, sharp and ugly, had changed his outlook towards her.

Then, a few months later, his mother had taken one look at infant Tia and tore a strip off him.

Diego had swallowed his pride, his anger at her betrayal, and begged Katrina to let him in. And she had. But Kash had never softened.

He kept his voice even. “It wouldn’t change anything.”

“We all know Kat let you back in only because you were a rich baby daddy she could exploit to her heart’s content.”

Diego gave a short, humorless laugh. He wiped his hand on a towel, flipped open the files and scrawled his signature, avoiding her gaze.

Muriel studied him for a long beat. “Don’t you think it’s been long enough that Kash needs to know the truth now?”

He shook off the heaviness and handed Muriel the folder. “She’s barely recovered,” he said quietly. “Can you imagine losing your husband and your sister, and still showing up every day, running a hospital department, raising your niece? Kash hasn’t left that day behind, Muriel. I’m worried about her.”

Muriel's eyes gentled. “She won’t welcome your worry, D.”

He nodded, adjusting the heat. “Doesn’t mean I’ll stop.”

Before grabbing the folder, she gave him a lingering look. “And when will you admit that her lack of approval is nearly killing you?”

Diego stiffened. Jesus, were his feelings for Kash that transparent? “You’re talking nonsense.”

“Lie to me all you want. But you and I both know that it’s more than just a rut, D.”

She shifted her feet, glancing at Tia, then back at him. “By the way, Kaif called me last night.”

Diego arched a brow. “Oh yeah? I never understood why Kaif and you have to keep it on the down low.”

Cheeks flushed, Muriel shrugged. “Honestly, he didn’t think I would wait for him or that it would work between us. The fool man had this notion that he has to help his big sister before he can prioritize his own happiness.”

“Did Kash accept his help?” Diego asked, beyond curious.

“She made him invest in a retirement fund for their mom and a college fund for Tia.” She sighed audibly. “As if I would stop him from helping Kash.”

Diego grinned. “Poor Kaif. Maybe he’s forgotten that you’re a tornado.”

Her smile turned sly. “Let’s just say there will be good news soon. You might ride that tailwind with Kash and get your stuff sorted too.”

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