“Who?”
She rolls her eyes. “Emilio, he’s fine. If anything had happened, you’d know because this place would be a beehive of activity and you’d see men with big guns running around like chickens with their heads cut off.”
“You’ve seen that before? So something has happened before?”
“It’s the cartel, Frankie. Something is always happening.” She shrugs.
“I know.”
“I’m supposed to apologize for being a bitch to you,” Eliana says.
I laugh. “Supposed to? You don’t need to.”
“Well, if Emilio asks, I apologized,” she tells me.
“Right.”
“You know I don’t hate you. I’ve always liked you. I just don’t like that my brother has been pining after you for years and you’ve been ignoring him.”
“It hasn’t been a walk in the park for me to ignore him—trust me.”
“So now that you’re here, are you actually here? Or have you still got one foot out the door?”
“How does everyone in your family seem to know about Emilio and me?” I ask her.
“We don’t have secrets in this household. Also, a blind dude could see the tension between you two whenever you’re in a room together. Why are you scared? You know he’s a good guy. He would never hurt you,” Eliana says.
“I’m not scared of Emilio. I’m scared of hurting everyone else. I’m scared of ruining the family and our fathers’ friendship.”
“My papi isn’t friends with anyone who isn’t my mom and us kids. He tolerates people. So don’t be worried about him.” Eliana laughs. “Trust me, if he had to, he’d cut ties with anyone in Vegas in a heartbeat without a backwards glance.”
“That’s… probably true. But my dad does value their friendship and I don’t want to come between it.”
“At the cost of your own happiness?”
“Putting other people’s happiness above your own is noble.”
“No, it’s stupid,” Eliana says. “Also, pointless. You came here with Emilio, which means your icy heart towards him is melting.”
“I’ve never had an icy heart towards your brother.”
“Well, whatever it is, I hope you guys work it out and get your shit together. I know my brother really loves you, Frankie, and I know you love him. So, just do whatever it is and get over your hang-ups. Also, you guys will have adorable babies.”
My entire face scrunches up. “Not you too.”
“My mom told me to say that part. Sorry.” Eliana laughs as she stands and leaves the room.
I haven’t moved from this spot. I chose this living room because I can hear the front door from here, which means I’ll know when Emilio gets back. I’m aimlessly scrolling through social media, trying to take my mind off everything.
The fact that all of Emilio’s family seems to be accepting of a relationship happening between us is weirding me out. I honestly expected more hostility or disgust or something. They all really are rooting for Emilio to get the girl.
When I see a black suit walk past, I look up. It’s Esterio, another one of Emilio’s million siblings. “Hey, Esterio!” I jump up and run after him.
With a smirk that I’m sure melts panties off a lot of women, he tilts his head at me. “Frankie? Need something?”
“Where are you going? And can I come?”
“I’m going to a bar. You don’t want to come.”