“Don’t be ridiculous,” I laugh. “It would be in the powder room. She knows something, though.”
“About the fight? You think so? Looks like we’ve got our first suspect, then.”
I roll my eyes. “She’s not a suspect, Mar. Just a person of interest.”
“Oh, she’s interesting all right.”
We head toward Sofia, passing the bar tables with white cloth and tulle, most likely for happy-hour mingling. A few guests reside at one of the photo booths, which appears to be a rented old-school machine you sit inside to take photos. Next to it is another photo booth. This one is made of a boxwood hedge backdrop decorated with real roses and greenery throughout. In front of the backdrop is a red velvet couch, and there’s a bright neon sign hanging above it that says, “The Smiths.” That must be Luciano’s last name, and now I can’t stop picturing Sofia as Sofia Smith.
“Okay, we have to take photos there. It’ll go with your ‘I’m super lavish and successful’ facade you’re trying to put off,” Maria says.
“Can you not mention that so loudly?” I cringe, looking around me. I notice Sofia making direct eye contact with me, and my throat suddenly dries up.
“Isa! Maria!” Sofia waves, her smile beaming from ear to ear. She jumps up and down and screams excitedly.
We walk over to her, considering the piles of string lights surrounding her.
“Sorry about the mess. These were supposed to be put up yesterday, but you know how it is,” she groans. “I can’t believe you’re both here, especially you, Isa.”
“Here I am,” I say awkwardly. I haven’t seen Sofia in ten years. I have no idea how even to act. Like myself? Myself as a fifteen-year-old girl?
Sofia rushes in for a hug. Her embrace is warm against my skin, in contrast to the substantial chill slowly approaching in the air.
“This is going to be an amazing week, I just know it. Maria told me about your business plan, and I’m so excited for you. Expanding the restaurant, huh? We had no idea you were so successful.”
I look over at Maria, who just grins at me.
“Yeah, I was pretty surprised too.” I glare at Maria. “Who knew we’d be expanding? We’re just…doing so well. We thought it would be a great time to bring an investor in. You know, while we’re at the top of our game.”
I internally cringe. “Top of our game”? Seriously? But hey, they don’t need to know how “well” we’re actually doing. It’s all about the illusion, right?
I glance at Maria again, who’s still beaming like this was all part of some brilliant plan instead of a half-baked scheme we cooked up just yesterday. God bless her optimism. Sure, we’re not there yet, but this isn’t a total lie. It’s a real plan. I’m not selling them where we are; I’m selling them where we’ll be—once I figure out how to unlock those damn recipes and make everything work.
Kudos to me for keeping a straight face. Years of practice, I guess.
“Well, you’re absolutely right.” Sofia picks up a pile of the string lights by her feet and moves them aside, signaling to one of the employees to pick it up and start untangling it. “Luciano would be a great investor. He’s amazing. Maria told me you’d need the kitchen to whip up a couple of samples for him to try, and that is totally fine. I already talked to my catering chef, and they’re okay with sharing the space. Oh, speak of the devil—myfiancéis here.”
“Hola, mi amor.” Luciano picks up Sofia sweepingly and twirls her around. She giggles excitedly. They kiss passionately for what feels like an uncomfortable amount of time.
Maria and I look at each other, feeling like we’re peeping at a private moment. Maria clears her throat loudly, alerting them.
“Sorry, ladies. I just can’t help myself around her.” Luciano smiles and pulls her closer. “I’m Luciano, but you can call me Luc.”
“Amor, these are my cousins, Maria and Isabella. Isa is the one who has the restaurant I told you about.”
“Ah, Isabella! So nice to meet you.”
He shakes my hand, and it feels like he could easily break my knuckles with just an ounce more of pressure.
“Hello! It’s so nice to meet you, too, finally. I’ve heard so much about you and your family,” I fib. I really need to do my research. “I just want to thank you for the opportunity to tell you about our restaurant and plans.”
“Absolutely. We’ll set up a time to meet this week where you can show me your business plan, and I can sample a few dishes, but other than that, I’m excited just to learn more about you.”
“Me?” I gulp.
“Yes, of course. I want to know who I may be working with. We’d be partners, after all. And also, family soon.”
He reaches for a side hug and pulls Maria in on his other side.
