My head is swimming with names, and if someone quizzed me right now, I’d go down in flames.
“You’re truly blessed,” I tell him.
I never grew up surrounded by a mass of people who shared my DNA or old stories about the past. I had no connections or ties that bound me to anyone or anything else walking this planet.
“I don’t know if they’re a blessing or a curse.”
10
Angelo
“I wasn’t sure I’d ever see this day,” a voice says from behind me, and I turn to find Michelle.
She’s not alone. She’s holding hands with a man I’ve never seen, but there’s a genuine smile on her face. A light I’ve never seen before.
“Michelle,” I say, wrapping my arms around her even with the man at her side. “It’s so nice to see you.”
Michelle and I have been friends forever. I remember the first time I saw her, hair pulled up and twisted into rolls at the side of her head like Princess Leia. She and Daphne were trouble, wreaking havoc on the neighborhood and the boys who paid them even the smallest bit of attention.
“I’m so happy for you,” she whispers in my ear as she flattens her hands on my back.
I pull away, placing my hands on her arms. “Cali seems to be agreeing with you.”
There’s no awkwardness between us. There could never be anything more between us, but I loved her just the same. We were never meant to be together. Her wild child ways wouldn’t keep her bound to this place, to me, or my children.
“It’s all Enrique’s fault.” She laughs as she steps back, sliding her arm around the man’s back. “This is Angelo, one of my oldest and dearest friends.”
Enrique holds out his hand to me and smiles. “It’s nice to meet you. Michelle has told me so much about your family.”
“Don’t believe a word of it,” I tease, shaking Enrique’s hand.
I move my eyes to the right, and I see Tilly watching us. I wave her over, wanting her to meet Michelle because last time she was in town, Tilly got the wrong idea and our relationship almost fell apart.
Tilly walks over slowly. Hesitant in each step as she moves her eyes between Michelle and me. Tilly’s not a jealous person, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a small part of her that doesn’t like the idea of Michelle and me in the same room, even if we are celebrating our wedding.
Michelle reaches for Tilly, pulling her into a tight embrace. “It’s so wonderful to meet you, Tilly. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you from Daphne.”
Tilly seems a little shocked, staring at me with wide eyes as Michelle hugs her.
“You’re so beautiful,” Michelle says. “I’m so happy for the two of you. I knew someone would heal that broken heart of his.”
Okay. So, this is a little awkward, but nothing I can’t handle. I rub the back of my neck, trying to figure out if I should pull Tilly away and rescue her from Michelle’s embrace.
Before I have a chance to separate them, Michelle backs away and grabs on to Enrique’s hand again. “This is Enrique…”
“Oh. My. God. Enrique Sandoval?” Tilly’s eyes widen.
I stare at her in total confusion. How the fuck does Tilly know Michelle’s man? Especially since he’s from California.
Enrique dips his head, giving her a dashing smile. “In the flesh,” he murmurs, and part of me hates him for some odd reason.
“Baby.” Tilly nudges me. “You know who he is?”
I shrug. “Enrique Sandoval,” I repeat, but not with the same enthusiasm she had moments ago because I have no fucking clue who he is.
“He’s only the hottest telenovela star on the planet.”
Enrique smirks and waves her off, but I can tell he’s eating up Tilly’s compliment. “I’m no one, really.”
