“I think that’s a good idea.” Her mom had sent him home with tons of food last time. “She’ll probably make you pumpkin flan once I tell her you’re coming.” She made a face as she said the word pumpkin.
“It’s wrong that you don’t like pumpkin.”
“It’s wrong that you do.” She mock shuddered.
He just grinned at her and she felt that look all the way to her core. He started to say something, but paused.
An unfamiliar male voice was calling her name. Turning, she glanced around. Her eyes widened when she saw Juan, a boy from her neighborhood. Well, not a boy anymore—he’d grown up just like her, would be twenty-eight now too.
He hurried toward their quilt, his grin wide as she stood up. “What are you doing here?” she asked as she pulled him in for a hug. “I mean, obviously you’re here to see the movie,” she said, laughing. “I just thought you’d moved out of state.”
“I moved back not too long ago. And my sister dragged me here tonight, told me I needed to get out. We’ve got alcohol and snacks, so I think we’re good to go.” His grin was wide and infectious as he continued. “I seriously can’t believe I’m running into you here.”
“Where are you guys sitting?” When he pointed, Mila waved at his sister, who was a lot younger than both of them. “Holy crap she’s grown up.”
“I know, right.”
“I thought you got married or something. Did you guys move back to be near your family?”
His gaze shuttered for a moment. “It didn’t work out.”
She winced slightly. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’m not. It would’ve been a disaster… So, how are your sisters?” He asked the question casually but she was pretty sure she saw a glint of interest in his dark eyes—he’d once had the biggest crush on her oldest sister, Angel.
“They’re all good. You should stop by sometime. My mama still lives at the same house and my sisters are always over there.”
He laughed lightly. “Maybe I will. Here…” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Give me a call.”
“I will. Oh, Juan, this is my friend Lyosha,” she said, motioning to Lyosha, who had been quietly watching them.
The two men shook hands before she sat back down and Juan returned to his sister.
“How do you know him?” Lyosha asked as Juan walked away. He took a sip of his drink, his expression serious.
“We grew up on the same street. And we’re the same age so we had a lot of classes together in high school. But he got a ton of scholarships and went to college up north somewhere. I think he joined the military too for a stint, but I’m not sure.” She glanced down at his card and laughed. “And would you believe it, he works for Red Stone Security,” she said, holding up his card. “What a small world.”
Lyosha’s expression was guarded almost. Sometimes he did this thing where he looked almost neutral and she couldn’t get a read on him.
She pocketed the card, excited to tell her sisters—especially Angel—that little Juan had grown up very nicely.
She stretched her legs out next to Lyosha’s as the screen flickered on and everyone started getting quiet.
Lyosha scooted closer to her as he added some wine to her glass, and for a moment she longed to lay her head on his shoulder. To be a real couple. She wished…a lot of things.
Some days she thought that maybe they had a shot at something, but he never, ever made a move. And yes, she knew that she could, but he was the type of man that if he wanted something, he went for it. If he wanted a relationship with her, he’d have made a claim by now. He was just so dang alpha, she had no doubt.
That knowledge…hurt. But she didn’t want to ruin their friendship, so she tucked her feelings for him away.
Like always.
Chapter 4
“I can’t believe you’re really moving out,” Emily said, leaning against the countertop in the kitchen. “It’s not going to be the same without you. I swear you’re the best roommate I could have ever asked for.”
Probably because I’m older, Mila thought. She wasn’t into partying, had worked two jobs most of the time, and had been studying the rest of the time. “Hey I could say the same thing. I’ve lived with some weirdos over the years.”
Emily snickered and opened one of the cabinets, pulled down a sparkly rose gold gift bag with pale yellow paper sticking out the top. “I got you this. It’s nothing big. Just a bottle of wine, but I figured you can enjoy it sometime at your new place. Which I definitely want to see.”
“Thank you, this is really sweet.” Mila cleared her throat. “So where’s your boyfriend been?” She hoped her voice sounded casual.
Emily rolled her eyes. “He’s been so sketchy this week. I thought maybe he might want to move in or something,” she said, shrugging. “I was thinking it would save me from having to search for a roommate, but…I don’t know.”
Yikes. She really hoped that didn’t happen. She was tempted to tell Emily right then and there what a jerk her boyfriend was but… She decided to hold off until she’d fully moved out. She did not want any awkwardness this last day. “Are you ready for next semester?”
“Yes. Ready to finally graduate.”
She’d started to respond when there was a knock at the door. It had to be Lyosha—and her heart rate kicked up about a hundred more beats per minute at the thought. Tall, dark, and sexy was here.
Emily grinned as she straightened her tight tank top. “Is that your sexy man?”
“He’s not my man.” Mila just wished he was.
“I don’t know how you keep your hands off him. Seriously, if a guy looked at me the way he looks at you, I would jump him all the time. We would never leave the bedroom.”
“It’s not like that. We’re just really good friends.” Unfortunately.
Emily just snorted again. “Whatever. Well, I need to shower and get ready. I’m going out with the girls tonight and I’m sure you’ll be gone by the time I get back. Text me when you get settled into your new place? I want to know you’re safe.”
“I will.” Feeling surprisingly emotional, Mila pulled her into a quick hug before hurrying for the front door.
Her eyes widened when she saw Lyosha there with two equally large friends. He hadn’t been kidding about bringing a crew of capable guys. “Thank you so much for helping me move,” she said to all of them as she stepped back, letting them file in.
The weather in January was perfect, warm enough during the day to ward off too much of a chill, but not sweltering like it was in the summer months.
He sort of grunted and motioned for his two friends to head straight back to her bedroom, where all her stuff was neatly boxed and labeled. “How was your first week?”
“Amazing. I have so much to tell you.” She headed for the bedroom with him, where she found both men hefting up two big boxes each.
It probably wouldn’t take them even an hour at this rate, she realized. She’d meticulously packed everything this week immediately after she’d gotten off work. It was a little sad, how easy it had been to pack her entire life up in a matter of a couple hours.