Page 90 of My Secret Bandit

I stood, both of us glancing to watch the woman in military fatigues and a low, dark bun enter the room.

“Jamie?” she asked, a slender finger pointed in my direction.

“Yes!” Amelia answered before I could.

“It’s so good to meet you. You’re all anyone can talk about lately. Especially thismariposa,“ she said, pinching Milly’s cheek as she giggled. “My family loves you.” She stepped further into the room and hugged me tightly.

“I love them too. So much,” I said back, still hugging her. Worry crept in when she didn’t release her hold on me. “Are you okay?”

She sniffled and shook her head against me. “I’m just a little overwhelmed.” She laughed, pulling herself away to wipe her green eyes that matched Mateo’s. “I’m happy to be home, and I’m happy my baby brother has a good woman to look after him. I can’t tell you how much I worry about him.”

Worried about Mateo?

In the grand scheme of things, it seemed strange that she’d worry about her professional football playing brother while overseas in countries on the brink of war.

I guess I understood.

For everyone that loved him, he was just Mateo. Silly, loving, adorable Mateo.

“Well, I’m happy I can ease some of your worries.” I smiled at her, wiping away the smudged mascara under her lashes.

With a smile back, she put her hands on my shoulders. Looking me over, she spun me around and looked some more. “God. You’re beautiful.”

“Pfft… me?“ I scoffed. “When’s the last time you checked the mirror?” Even covered from her neck to her toes in fatigues and boots, she was easily the best-looking person in the house next to Milly. With golden brown skin and high cheekbones, she looked like Mateo without being his twin.

Her effervescent laugh filled my ears as she waved me off.

“What’s the plan? Do you need help with anything?”

“What!? No way. Just relax and have fun. Xander’s going to text me when they’re on their way. You can hide up here and I’ll come get you.”

Back downstairs, a handful of other people arrived.

Benny introduced me to a couple of cousins and some of Mateo’s friends. A few minutes into the introductions, Xander texted their ETA.

“Fifteen minutes, everyone,” I yelled in the crowded room.

As the minutes went on, more of the guys from the team showed up, and I felt myself getting more and more nervous.

Would he be excited or surprised?

Did he already know?

How would he react to his sister?

Massive arms pulled me into a hard hug and squished me into an even harder chest. It should’ve been uncomfortable, but weirdly wasn’t. “How are you doing? Need anything?” Quincy asked.

“I’m good, Q. How are you?”

“I’m great. I’m ’bout to party good, eat great, and sleep even better.”

“Absolutely! Make yourself at home. Can you do me a favor and tell the guys to do the same?”

“Will do.” He smiled and ventured off to relay the message.

*text notification*

Xander: 3 mins.

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