“Lord, how do you know about that?”
Her smile widened.
“My brother may or may not have a thing for you. A big thing.”
I froze. “Your brother?”
Her grin faltered for half a second, then came back as a full laugh. I let out a small laugh and a sigh, because of course.
“DaVinci.” She extended her hand, still grinning like this was the best thing that had happened to her all week. “I’m Omni. His baby sister. And girl, we need to talk. I hope I’m not creeping you out.”
“Actually, this tracks.” I nodded slowly. “I’m sure you know your brother stalked me like prey. Did he send you here?”
“I told him about that shit, too.” She winced playfully. “But he’s still healing, so his actions—while weird—were from a good place. And no,absolutely not. I wouldn’t dare pull up on you on his behalf. I was already coming here.”
“Okay, because he knows what I said. I’m sure you know too.”
“He had to handle that crazy-ass hoe Cassie.” She studied me openly. “God, you are so beautiful, and I’m getting so many good vibes from you.”
“Girl, please. You and this pixie cut and smooth chocolate skin got me considering switching sides.”
It was her turn to beam. She looked so much like him. It was in the eyes.
“I know this may be forward or hell, weird as fuck, but do you want to go grab some food?” she asked. “I shop alone a lot, but it seems today may not be the day I need to. Hell, you could turn the tables and spy on DaVinci. He deserves it. I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
“I could eat… and spy,” I said, unable to suppress my smile.
“Okay, let’s meet in fifteen minutes at Chy Bella, cool?”
I nodded as her phone rang, forcing us to split. I figured it was business, or she could have been calling DaVinci. A small part of me hoped that she was. The serendipity of running into her felt a little too on-the-nose not to be intentional.
#
I made it to Chy Bella and was escorted to a private room. This wasn’t the kind of place you just walked into in sweats or showed up last-minute hoping for a table. You either belonged here or rented the illusion for the evening. Omni definitely belonged. I was so glad I’d put on a cute dress and boots for the day. I never wanted to look out of place.
Omni stood and hugged me again as I came into the room.
“I’m a hugger,” she said, letting me go. “Halo, you are gorgeous, and I know I need to stop saying it, but I get it, girl. I get it.”
“Get what?”
“The reason he’s so damn thirsty. You are gorgeous, you smell good, and you got a job. Total package.”
“So, I’m his first bad bitch?”
“Oh, I like you,” she said, laughing and pulling one out of me, too. That broke the ice as she sat across from me. She was beautiful with a sharp jawline, deep brown skin, with a glow that said water, rest, and minding her business, short cut lined up perfectly. Her presence didn’t feel loud or forced. It was steady. Familiar in a way. I liked that.
“Wine?” she asked, already waving in a server.
“That would be perfect,” I said, settling in. Brixxi was tucked under the table in her stroller, already asleep.
Omni ordered us a bottle of wine, and we put in our appetizer order. I couldn’t even really explain why I’d agreed to lunch with her. I didn’t know her, and I barely knew DaVinci. But I wanted to. His actions had stuck with me in a way I couldn’t shake, and sitting here with his sister felt like the safest way to admit that to myself.
“So,” she said, leaning forward with her chin on her hand. “Tell me about you. And don’t start with firefighter shit. I want the real.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“The real?”
