“Like what?” she asked even though this conversation was not over.
“Mojito shortbread bars. She’s going all out for Lyosha, I think. Three freaking desserts?”
Mila let out a groan before taking a sip of her own drink. That sounded amazing. “By the way, Juan looked really good,” she whispered as they approached the gathering of tables.
Someone had hung up a bunch of colorful paper lanterns that weren’t there last week, mixing them in with the string lights over the back patio and pool area. Probably Zamira, her other sister who loved making everything more colorful. A young widow with eleven-year-old twins, she was always going out of her way to make everything “happier and brighter” for her kids.
Angel shot her a sideways glance, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Why were you noticing?”
Mila grinned at the hint of jealousy in her sister’s words. “I knew you liked him!” she whisper-shouted.
“What? No way.” Her voice got a little high-pitched then. “I’m over men. At least for now.”
Her sister’s divorce had been bad, though Mila was glad Angel had finally split from that loser. He’d sworn he didn’t want children, and Angel, who’d always wanted a bundle of them, had convinced herself that she didn’t either.
It would have been one thing if they’d been in agreement, but her sister had molded herself, changed everything for that bastard. Then he’d cheated on her with a twenty-year-old and gotten his mistress pregnant. With twins. Now he was playing the doting father, and who knew, maybe it was real. Mila didn’t care. She just cared that her sister had gotten hurt and he’d stolen years from Angel’s life.
“Juan always had a huge thing for you,” she whispered as they reached the end of the tables. Lyosha looked up at her as he placed one of the platters on it and smiled. “Everyone in the neighborhood knew.” And damn, she had to ignore the flutter in her belly from that simple smile. Was her sister right? It felt dangerous to hope for it.
“He’s like five years younger than me,” Angel murmured.
“And? I’m five years younger than you and way more mature,” she said as she stole her sister’s mimosa—since hers was now empty.
“I can see that.” Angel’s tone was dry as she shook her head.
“You need another drink?” Lyosha was suddenly there, looking down at her with…an expression that was almost hungry.
Either the champagne was going to her head or…he was looking at her a little bit like he might want to kiss her. Or maybe she was projecting. Because she was obsessed with his lips. Everything about him was hard, tight and muscled, but his lips were like gorgeous pillows. Okay then, she’d had enough to drink.
“I’m good.”
“Yeah, cuz she’s a thief.” Angel grabbed her glass back.
“I’ll get you another one. Save me a seat.” Lyosha hurried inside and yep, she definitely checked out his ass as he went.
Chapter 8
Even though Mila could have easily had more champagne, she’d switched to water and was now glad for it. Day drinking tended to make her sleepy.
The get-together was winding down and Mila’s mom had already packed up way too much food for Lyosha. He’d have leftovers for like a week. Or maybe three days, because he really could pack it away. It was impressive how much he ate, especially since he never seemed to gain any weight. Probably because he worked out so much—he’d told her that he had a home gym and liked to swim in the mornings before work. And it showed.
Boy did it ever.
“You ready to go?” she asked as he tucked his phone away again.
“Yeah.”
“Is everything okay?” She motioned to his phone, since he’d looked at it a few times throughout the afternoon. “If you got called into work I can just get a ride home from one of my sisters. I promise it’s no big deal.”
“No. One of my friends keeps hassling me to come watch some fight.”
“You don’t want to go?”
He lifted a shoulder. “There are some people there I’d like to see, but no, I don’t really feel like it. Unless you want to go with me?” he blurted.
“Yeah?” Why did it have to come out as a question? Of course she wanted to spend more time with him. And it was clear he wanted to spend more time with her. Maybe what her sister had said was true.
“It’ll be kind of boring, but Dominique will be there.”
“Sounds fun. Am I dressed okay?” She looked down at her jeans, flats and simple top.
“You look…great.”
She frowned at his pause, wondering what that meant. But then they said goodbye to everyone and she shelved her thought—along with all her others about him.
As they drove to his friend’s place, she kept replaying Angel’s words over in her head. Even if she didn’t want to, it was like they were on repeat.
He’d always been so protective, but she’d figured that was just the way he was, a part of his character. What if it was more?
* * *
Mila looked around the pool area, trying to soak everything in. This place was incredible, that word being an understatement. The Mediterranean-style home had a huge waterfall-type pool big enough to fit a football team, and a gorgeous green yard that stretched out until it met the ocean. And the home was a literal mansion. There was so much green everywhere too—palm trees, potted plants, bright flowers along the privacy hedges. The six different archways that opened up onto the patio/pool area from the home had little potted plants on each stair as well. The property itself had to be at least two acres, which was incredible for the city.
When Lyosha had pulled into this neighborhood she thought maybe he’d taken a wrong turn, but no. His friend actually lived here.
And this was an actual party, not just some random get-together to watch a fight. It was being catered and all his friends’ wives were wearing Gucci. Meanwhile she was wearing T.J. Maxx.
She knew it was stupid to feel insecure, but she couldn’t help the way she felt. She’d struggled with this her whole life. When her dad died, her mom had fought to take care of all of them. It was why her grandfather had moved in with them, to help out. And they’d made a lot of sacrifices over the years. This…was not her world. Not even close.
When one of the waiters walked by with a tray, she snagged one of the champagne glasses, needing something in her hand right now. Dominique had shooed Lyosha away almost as soon as they’d arrived, so he’d gone off with Viktor somewhere, leaving Mila with her. She liked Dominique a lot, but still wished Lyosha was with her.
“We are definitely going to get that job,” Dominique continued to her sister-in-law, Lucy.
Petite, with a dark bob haircut, Lucy wore four-inch heels and had a fierce fashion sense. In teal, sparkly pants that should have looked ridiculous but just looked amazing, she was all glittery style. Her pale pink top complemented her skin tone and the big gold hoop earrings and matching bracelet completed the fun look.
“Ugh. You know if you travel, Viktor is going to get all grumpy and surly,” Lucy murmured.
“Pretty sure grumpy and surly are the same things,” Dominique said on a laugh.