“It was rubbish that a blogger broke our story and stole all our thunder,” Luca laments, leaning close to Andrés to sniff his smoothie. He makes a horrified expression. “Figs? In a smoothie?”
“You Italians have too many rules and contradictions,” Andrés says, dismissively.
“Like what?” Luca crosses his arms over his chest.
“Like, no cappuccino after eleven a.m.,” I supply, winding an arm around Luca’s waist.
“Eh, it has milk. Milk is for breakfast and—” Luca argues.
“Don’t cut spaghetti with a knife,” I continue.
“You twirl it.” Luca spins his finger in a circle, gesticulating the movement.
“No ice in wine,” I add.
Horror crosses Luca’s face.
“It’s okay,” I say soothingly, moving him toward the kitchen.
Andrés shakes his head. “You two are going to be worse than Mar and Ale.”
I glance over my shoulder and grin at him.
“My God, who are you guys?” Marlowe asks, following us into the kitchen. “This is…” She trails off gesturing between us. “I don’t know what it is, but I am here for it! You both look really happy.”
“We had a great time in Tuscany,” I explain.
“Everything is prepared for the camp.” Luca takes a more pragmatic approach.
Andrés rolls his eyes. “Yes, I’m sure you spent most of your time on camp details and not fu?—”
“Argh!” My brother holds up his hand, cutting Andrés off. “Listen, tío, I’m trying to be cool about everything, but there are details that I do not want to know.”
“Why are you being so cool about this?” Andrés questions.
Luca smacks the back of his head. He shakes it off, keeping his eyes pinned on my brother.
Ale frowns, confused by Andrés’ questioning. Even I’m thrown by the direction of conversation because…why is Andrés trying to stir shit up?
Marlowe clears her throat. “I baked muffins,” she offers, unwrapping a dish and placing the muffins in the center of the island. “It’s Gladys’s recipe. Would anyone like tea? Coffee?”
“They look delicious,” I say, taking a muffin. “How the hell do you have time to do this while running Prescott Sail Valencia?” I take a huge bite and groan.
Marlowe winces. “Grandpa’s sent reinforcements. Two new staff members from the States are here to help me during this phase of my life.” She wrinkles her nose and I hear the dejection in her tone.
“You’re doing amazing,” Ale murmurs, kissing her cheek. “The new team members are part of a support system. They’re not replacing you.”
“I know,” Marlowe huffs. She points at the muffins and looks at Andrés and Luca. “Eat one.”
They both snag a muffin.
Ale takes one too and glances between his best friends. “The reason why I’m so chill about one of my best mates dating my sister is because it’s Luca.” He smirks at me before looking at Luca. “He’s the kind of guy you want your sister to date. I know him, his values, and the kind of man he is. To be honest, I’m more worried about him getting his heart broken than I am about Carla.”
Andrés snorts and I flip Ale the middle finger.
But Luca’s hand on my shoulders tightens imperceptibly. When I glance back at him, he’s smiling, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. And the tiniest flicker of doubt flares in my mind.
Is he worried I’ll break his heart too?
