“Hey, bitch,” Gaby says cheerily. “Wait. Diego?”
“Good thing you can recognize your brother’s voice,” he mutters sardonically.
“Where is Alara? Why are you answering her phone? What are you doing at her place?”
“Jeez, you the FBI or something? I just came by to drop off the enchiladas leftovers. She’s in the bathroom as we speak.”
There’s a beat of silence. “Oh. Tell her I’m on my way.”
My eyes widen as I unplug the drain and stand, accepting the towel Diego hands me. His jaw tightens as he looks at my naked, wet body.
“You are?” he asks, helping me out of the tub.
“I’m actually already here. Just going to say hi to her parents then I’ll be over.”
“Okay.” Diego hangs up and runs a hand over his face. “Mierda.”
I chuckle at the panic in his tone. “It’s okay.”
“I think she suspects something,” he admits, while scratching the back of his head.
“Relax.”
Walking over to him, I pull him down by the back of his neck, brushing my lips over his. He takes a shaky breath before kissing me. Slowly. Tenderly. Passionately enough to make my mind go into a frenzy. When I try to pull away, he grabs my hips and keeps me in his space, deepening the kiss.
“Gaby’s going to be here in a few seconds,” I whisper.
He rests his forehead against mine, groaning in frustration. “Way to ruin the mood.”
“Just act cool. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Act cool?” he parrots, walking out of the bathroom and pointing to his crotch. “I have a fucking boner, Alara. How am I supposed to act—”
The front door opens right on cue as I slam my door to finish getting ready. Listening to their voices, I stare at my reflection. Despite the evident fatigue marring my features, I look serene. Happy. Radiant. It doesn’t take a genius to know Diego’s the reason for it all.
Once I’m dressed and done with my skincare and hair routine, I walk into the living space to see Diego setting plates on the kitchen island and Gaby checking on the enchiladas in the oven.
“So what?” Gaby asks when she sees me, an eyebrow arched. “You and my brother are besties now?”
Diego and I exchange a glance. A secret look. A secret smile. And then we laugh, and Gaby looks utterly confused. It’s not lost on me that she’ll start asking questions soon, and when I tell her the truth, I doubt I’ll be able to hide the way I truly feel about her brother.
Because I can’t even hide it from myself anymore.
CHAPTER TWENTY
DIEGO
“Hey, Coach.”
Halting on the sidewalk, someone bumps into me, but not hard enough to throw me off balance. They turn to apologize with a kind smile that I can’t help but return before readjusting the phone against my ear.
Everyone’s just so fucking nice in this town.
I was about to enter the restaurant Jordan and I agreed to meet at when Coach called me. I’m surprised I didn’t think twice before answering. Usually, I let him leave a voicemail, or I call him back later. “Hey,” he says. “Just checking in. How are things going?”
“Pretty good.” I bury my free hand in the pocket of my jeans and step sideways to lean against the wall. At this time of the evening, the streets are busy with tourists visiting the Christmas market and townspeople wandering around or doing some last-minute shopping. “Dr Ellis thinks I’m recovering quite well and quickly.”
“That’s what he’s been telling me too.”
