“Right.” I didn’t know the details yet.
“According to Sal and Ash, Angel loves women, but he’s kind of wary of long-term relationships—for anyone, not just him,” she said.
Given his family history, that made sense.
“Does he break a lot of hearts, then?” I asked warily.
She shrugged into a shimmy. “From what I heard, he’s always been pretty obvious with his intentions.”
What were his intentions, then? It didn’t seem like he was only after sex. Otherwise, why would he buy me a Valentine’s gift? He’d also offered to ‘woo me’ properly, but that could’ve been teasing.
My sister twirled me. “His attitude has rubbed some people the wrong way, though. Zero can’t stand him.”
Zero the person? Victor’s sister?
I stumbled over my feet. “How come? I thought she was pretty straightforward too.”
At least in our brief conversation around the holidays, she had been. She struck me as a smart, serious girl. Not someone who’d particularly indulge Angel’s brand of communication or catch his eye. But maybe he considered her a challenge.
“Did he hit on her?” I asked.
“No,” Kat emphasized, trying not to laugh, as if there’d be some social bloodbath if he’d attempted it. “I guess when Sal got dumped by his ex, Angel tried playing wingman. He steered him toward other girls and iced Zero out of the conversation.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he thought she wasn’t ‘warm’ enough for a rebound attempt, or that she’d interfere in the cheering up process? But Sal chose Zero, and they’re in love, so it all worked out in the end. At least for them,” she said.
It could make family gatherings awkward, presuming we all stayed together.
“Does Victor hate him too?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I don’t think he knows him—or what happened. I doubt he’d overly enjoy Angel’s presence, but he’d give him a chance.”
I wasn’t sure Victor enjoyed anyone besides Kat. He tolerated the rest of us. But my sister had sworn he had a dry sense of humor, and I’d see it the more I got to know him.
Of course, I hadn’t had much time for anyone or anything until recently.
Angel was an acquired taste for me. Maybe if they got to know him too…
Kat clasped my wrist. “I’m not going to judge someone for exploring their options. If you like him, he’s being respectful, and you think you’ll have fun, so be it. Just keep your eyes open. Protect your heart. And use condoms.”
“Kat,” I squawked. We were in public.
She flashed me a cheeky grin. “Ah, sorry. You probably know all that. Whatever happens, though, I hope you dance.”
I rolled my eyes and smiled.
I would have fun with Angel, a different kind than I had with Kat.
But for now, I did owe her a dance.
I pantomimed shaking maracas with my sister, loosening my worries into the beat like we used to do in our shared bedroom. As we twisted, getting lower, I caught Angel’s glance. He smiled at us goofing off and subtly danced with us from afar.
Maybe, just this once, I could take a chance on him.
Chapter nine
Away
