Page 131 of Scandalous

“Mami.” I smile as I pull her into my arms.

I close my eyes as I hug her. It’s been way too long since I’ve seen her.

“I’ve missed you,” she murmurs as she pulls away with tears in her eyes.

“Don’t cry, I’m here now,” I say quietly.

“That’s all that matters.” She shakes her head. “Come give Mami love.” She smiles at my friends, holding out her arms.

Ezra steps forward and kisses her cheek. “You look lovely as usual.”

Mami reaches forward and pinches his cheek. “Such a sweet talker.”

Aurora giggles, making my mother look at her. “Someone introduce us before I turn you over my knee for forgetting your manners.”

“Mami, this is my girlfriend, Aurora.”

Aurora blushes as she steps forward to shake my mother’s hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

My mother ignores her hand and pulls Aurora into a hug, swaying them both side to side.

“You can call me Mami, like the boys do. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve watched your videos on the phone for a while now. You sure know your way around a kitchen,” she compliments.

“Girlfriend, huh?” Ezra says quietly.

“We are in San Juan with my family. I get to claim her. You’re just jealous that you didn’t think to say it before me.”

Ezra grunts, making me chuckle.

“All right, Rora, give Mami up. I need some love,” Liam says, stepping forward. “It smells delicious in here. What did you make today?” Liam asks as he wraps them both into a hug.

Aurora ducks under his arm and walks toward me. “How many people do you think are here?” she asks quietly.

“I have a large family,” I confess.

“How large is large?” she asks, eyebrow raised.

“Yeah, Santi, how large is large?” Valentina asks as she walks through the door behind me.

Aurora tenses at her teasing tone.

“Val, causing hell already?” Ezra asks.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Aurora relax.

“Always.” Val smirks at my friend as she steps into my arms. “Good to see you, brother.”

“Good to see you too,” I tell her honestly. “Is Oliva here?” I ask, referring to her newborn daughter.

Val rolls her eyes. “I swear since I’ve had her, everyone’s forgotten about me.” She turns toward Aurora and looks her up and down. “I kind of hate you.” She shakes her head.

Aurora gasps, and Val continues. “You just traveled for over a day and you still look beautiful. It’s truly not fair.”

“Thank you?” Aurora frowns.

Val’s eyes light up as they land on Drake as he steps up behind Aurora. “Drake…” she says flirtatiously.

“Valentina.” He nods coldly. He looks down at Aurora and squeezes her arm. “Let me show you where your room is.”

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