Page 80 of A Dish Best Served Hot

“I’ve never met anyone with that power,” Kamilah replied. “Not even Sofi could cow Leo.” She looked gorgeous in a deep green, V-neck, lace midi dress that belled out into an asymmetrical fishtail hem at the knee. In the past Lola would’ve been jealous of the way it flattered Kamilah’s tight curves and only seemed to highlight how flat her stomach was.

Now Lola loved her own curves even if they were more ample and squishy. Her body might not be the kind that had traditionally graced fitness magazine covers, but it was strong despite everything she’d put it through. Lola did yoga almost every day in addition to her Krav Maga classes. She was healthy despite what “helpful” strangers might imply, projecting their own phobias onto her. Those people could suck it. Besides, being “healthy” didn’t determine whether or not her size was justifiable. No one determined her worth, but her. She was fat and she was sexy. She was also rocking the shit out of her own formfitting dress.

Lola León, you are a bad bitch in every sense of the word, she reminded herself.

“Miss León, welcome to my engagement party: the sequel.” Kamilah laughed, then paused. “Although I guess I should call you Lola now. It would be weird to keep calling you Miss León since you’re dating my brother. Don’t think I don’t want to hear all about that by the way. Well, notallabout it, if you catch my drift. There are things about her brothers that a little sister just doesn’t need to know.”

Kamilah’s big fiancé leaned down and sealed his mouth with hers. After a second he lifted his head.

Kamilah sighed. “I was rambling wasn’t I?”

He smiled. “A bit.”

“Thanks for that.”

“My pleasure,” he replied in such a way that made it clear it really was.

Kamilah looked back at Lola. “This is Liam, by the way. My fiancé, if that somehow wasn’t clear.”

Liam shook his head at Kamilah then turned to Lola and held out a hand. “Liam Kane.”

Lola shook it. “Lola León.”

“I know. Rosie has been talking about you all day.”

Lola’s mouth stretched into a wide smile at the thought of Rosie gushing about her to the people she loved. “Where is she?” She searched the huge room for the little girl.

“She’s probably on the restaurant side playing with all of her cousins.”

“Where’s Saint?” Kamilah asked.

“The twins needed his help with something.”

The relaxed and happy look on Kamilah’s face changed instantly to one of anxiety. “What do you mean? What could they need help with? Did they say? What are they planning?”

Lola simply blinked at the bombardment. “Uh...”

Liam wrapped an arm around her. “It’s okay. It’s probably nothing.”

“You don’t understand my brothers. They’re definitely up to something. The twins like to act like they’re above it all, but they are demons and Leo, don’t get me started on him.”

Lola hadn’t even noticed that Leo had seemingly disappeared after Kamilah started talking.

Liam nodded along, “Yes, but Saint is with them.”

Kamilah released a long breath and pressed a hand to her chest as if calming her racing heart. “You’re right. They’re with Saint. He’d kick their asses to Milwaukee and back before he’d let them mess with me today.” She paused. “But I’m going to go find them, just in case. Con permiso.” She took off and Liam followed.

Lola observed them. It was interesting. It was as if there was an invisible rope connecting them that wouldn’t let them get farther than a couple feet away from each other, but it also allowed energy to flow between them both, vitalizing them.

“Who is Mila going to find?” Saint asked in her ear from behind.

Lola spun and found him standing there with two drinks in his hand. “Oh, she’s going to find you.”

“Me?” He passed her one of the drinks in his hand. “This is a special drink Liam’s friend came up with using the whiskey Liam created for Kamilah.”

“That’s so cute,” Lola said as she accepted the glass. “And she’s looking for you because I mentioned that your brothers asked you to help with something and she sort of freaked out.” She took a sip of the drink in her hand. It was delicious, the bite of whiskey perfectly balanced with sweet mango and passionfruit juice, the tartness of lemon juice, and just a hint of bitterness. “She’s a bit high-strung, huh?”

“Kamilah is Kamilah, but she’s probably even more nervous about today. This is technically their second engagement party.”

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