“In here.”
Gen appears, his smile wide, as he holds up his purchases. When he reaches me, I get a kiss on the cheek. “You look fab.”
“So do you.” I take him in, admiring how boldly he chooses his clothes. Tonight’s outfit is a black tank top and bright pink capri pants with black espadrilles. “Did you bring a suit to swim in?”
Gen laughs, sashaying his way to my kitchen. “Why would I do that, boo, when I was born with a suit?”
“Oh, we’re skinny dipping, are we?”
“Maybe.” He winks. “I found a cocktail recipe online that looked amazing. Do you have a pitcher?”
“I do.”
I walk into the butler’s pantry and search the shelves, knowing my aunt’s crystal collection will have a pitcher. I find it, reaching up to pull it down, then walk back to wash it to give to Genesis. It’s covered in dust, like everything else in there.
“You should order a cleaning crew,” Gen says, noticing the dusty pitcher while he sets out his drink components on the counter. “They could come in and dust everything.”
“Is it expensive?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know, but that’s what the maintenance fund you have is for.”
Nodding, I rinse the pitcher. “Good point. I just want to be careful with it.”
“I know.” Gen turns to face me. “You’re doing a great job so far.”
“Thanks.” I set the pitcher down. “What’s the drink?”
“It’s called an Apple Bomb. It’s Crown Apple, cranberry, and pineapple juice.” He waggles his eyebrows at me. “A dose of pineapple juice never hurt anyone.”
“You’re so bad.”
“I know, and you love me for it.”
“I do.”
Gen’s eyes soften. “I think we’re gonna have a blast tonight.”
“Hope so.”
We both twist in the direction of the front when the doorbell rings. “Luca’s here,” Gen says.
“I’ll go answer. You make the drinks.”
“Perfect.”
I make my way through the too-big-for-one-person house, opening the door when I reach it. Luca smiles and my mouth falls open at the sight of him. He always looks hot, but tonight in his white T-shirt so tight you can see his nipple piercings, his black jeans that look painted on him, his hair all wavy and sexy, and that smile—the I-know-you-want-me smirk—he is absolute fire.
“Come in.”
“Thanks, man.” Luca looks around. “I wasn’t expecting this to be the place I pulled up to.”
I laugh softly. “Right? A twenty-something baker, living in this house, in this neighborhood? I get it.”
“So, what…you’re a secret agent by night? Wait. You won the lottery.”
I giggle. “No. I inherited the property from my aunt and uncle. They were very rich, and clearly, a little eccentric. All the furniture, design, everything is theirs. I’ve only lived here a couple of months.”
“No shit. Um, sorry for your loss though.”
“It’s okay. My aunt's alive still, but she’s living with her daughter now. The house was empty, and in this neighborhood, they don’t like that. So, I moved in.”
“Not a hardship. The ocean is across the damn street practically. Gianni Versace’s mansion isn’t far from here, right?”
“Right. Easy commute to work too. My old apartment could fit in the kitchen of this place.” I glance down at the bag in his hands.
“Oh,” Luca says, grinning. “These are for you. Mama would beat my ass if I showed up to someone’s house without a gift.”
I glance into the heavy bag as he hands it to me. “What is it?”
“Peach preserves. Georgia peaches picked fresh in the summertime. My mama sends me an endless supply.”
“This is really nice. Thanks, Luca.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Gen’s in the kitchen making drinks.” I nod my head in that direction. “Food should be here soon.”
“Nice.”
As we walk, I notice Luca’s head twisting around, as if he’s trying to catch it all.
“I feel like I should be wearing a tux or some shit.”
I laugh. “Yeah, it’s not exactly homey.”
“I ain’t giving you shit, man. It’s nice as fuck.”
“It is. I’m glad you guys are here though. It’s too big and quiet for one person.”
He puts his hands on my shoulders, squeezing gently. “We’ll be sure to make some noise tonight.”
I laugh, but something in his delivery hits me right between the legs. When we finally arrive at the kitchen, Gen looks up and flashes one of his pretty smiles at Luca, and there it is again, that fucking stab of jealousy right in my heart.
“Hey, you,” Gen says, leaning over to kiss Luca’s cheek. “Almost ready for cocktails?”
“Definitely.”
I open a cabinet. “Let me get some glasses down.” I find three clean ones and set them on the counter next to Gen.
He fills all three glasses, then hands one to me and one to Luca. Finally, he raises his glass. “To boys night in.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Luca says, his eyes lingering on Gen before switching to me.
“Me too.” I nod, clinking my glass to theirs before taking a sip. It’s sweet and delicious, but knowing Gen, it’s deadly behind all the sweetness.
“Shall we go to the salon, gentlemen?” Gen croons.
I laugh, following him as Luca grabs the pitcher of drinks.
“I ordered tacos,” I offer.
“Mm,” Luca hums. “I love Miami.”
“They don’t have tacos in Georgia?” I ask.
“Not like the ones in Miami.”
Once we’re in the living room, or salon as Genesis calls it, we each sit on the massive cream couch. It’s not comfortable at all, and looks like something straight out of 1960, which it probably is.
“What did your aunt and uncle do to get a house like this?” Luca asks.
“The official story is my uncle was in imports and exports.”
Luca grins, sipping his cocktail. “And the unofficial story?”
“Word on the street is Cuban cigars were very popular and very illegal in the US in the seventies and eighties.”
Luca claps his hands, laughing. “Your uncle hit it big getting Cubans for rich people?”
I nod. “Yeah, or so I’m told.”
“That’s awesome.”
Gen giggles, refilling the drink he already emptied. “An entrepreneur. I like it.”
After the food arrives, the three of us eat tacos and drink, chatting about little things in our lives. The mood is light and fun, but most of all, I feel like I’m one of them, not some outsider who weirdly ended up invited.
After we finish eating, and Gen makes another pitcher of drinks, he nudges my arm. “Time for a swim?”
“Now?” I groan. “I have a food baby.”
“Still cute,” Gen says, winking. “Come on, boo. It’s a treat for me. I don’t swim at the sketch pool at my apartment.”