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“Hey, give that back! He gave it to me.”

Noa laughs hysterically, and Cipher lightly chuckles.

“Oh, you think it’s so funny? There is no way my sister is using Banks’s baby batter on her face. I don’t care if it’s a miracle cream that reverses aging. That is so gross.”

Leni laughs as well. “Told you she would have kittens. It’s not for me, sis, it’s for a girl in my building who’s a two-faced bitch. I was sort of seeing someone until she decided she wanted him. Good riddance, but at least I get the last laugh.”

Noa high-fives Leni, and I shake my head. Can’t say I wouldn’t do the same thing, if I’m being honest with myself.

Ares is behind the bar, and he glances at us as we walk inside. I have no doubt he already knows who Leni is, as Ares and Clay run background checks on everyone who steps foot on the island, and I was no exception.

“This is Leni,” Noa announces to the entire room. “She’s Valli’s sister, so everyone be nice.”

“When am I not nice?” Ares asks.

“Do you want me to answer that?” Noa teases.

Ares ignores Noa and looks at Leni. “Welcome.”

Leni smiles at him. “Thank you. I have heard a lot about this place.”

“Good things, I hope.”

She chuckles. “Mostly.”

We find a table near the window, and Nails appears out of nowhere with our menus. He smiles at Leni and hands her one, and once she thanks him, Rue calls him back to the kitchen.

“What’s good?” Leni asks.

“Everything,” Noa replies. “Order at least two things, maybe even three. Rue may be offended if you don’t. His food is to die for.”

“I can’t wait!” She wiggles excitedly.

Noa leads the conversation, asking Leni way too many questions about her plans after college and if she would ever consider moving here. Leni just laughs and says she has no idea what the future holds, but as soon as she knows, she will tell him.

The food comes out pretty fast, which tells me Rue knows there is a guest he is trying to impress. Leni takes the first bite, then makes a sound that stops all conversation at the table.

“Okay,” she says. “It’s decided. I’m never leaving.”

“Be careful. You think it’s a joke, but how do you think we all ended up here?”

Leni’s gaze shifts, and I follow to see what has caught her eye. Khodi has stepped through the doors, and she tracks him as he moves through the bar and stops to talk to Ares. Once he is done, he turns and his eyes lock with my sister’s, then he walks our way.

He reaches the table and gives us a nod.

“Khodi,” Noa says by way of greeting.

Khodi nods again as he stares at my sister, who has suddenly become shy and looks down at her food. Then she glances back up and holds his gaze.

“Hi.”

“Hey,” he says back.

There is silence for about two seconds, and I’m surprised Noa has kept quiet this long. When I glance over at him, all he needs is popcorn—he looks so invested. I am almost concerned and plan to talk to him later. He is so quiet, and he is never this quiet.

“You just get in?”

“Not too long ago,” she says. “I’m visiting my sister.”