Page 93 of A Dish Best Served Hot

“Sure thing, Abuelo Papo.”

Lola frowned. “Is that one of your cousins?” she asked Rosie.

The little girl shook her head. “Everyone here calls him Abuelo Papo.”

Ah. That made more sense.

“Ay que lindo. It’s a family outing,” a voice said as they reached the bar.

Lola looked up to see Leo standing behind it while Liam sat on a stool in front of him.

“Except where is Saint?” Liam asked.

“He’s coming soon,” Lola told them.

Rosie scrambled up the stool next to Liam and plopped down. “What’s that?” She pointed to the glass in front of him.

“A new beer from my friend Dev’s brewery,” Liam replied, but he wasn’t looking at Rosie. He was eyeing Benny. “Who’s your new friend, Papo?” There was an edge to the question that Lola didn’t quite understand.

“Friend?” Papo laughed. “He’s not my friend. Este es un enema que no se me sale.”

Benny scowled, Leo chuckled, and Liam seemed relieved.

Lola intervened before they started up again. “Papo, don’t compare my grandpa to an enema.”

Papo gave the most insincere apology ever. “Sorry. I’ll be good now. I promise.”

“I’m sure,” Lola replied.

At her tone, Leo laughed. “Look at that. You figured out that Abuelo is never good. You really are one of us now.”

Lola tried not to, but she couldn’t help but smile at the sentiment.

Papo made a sound almost like a harrumph. “And what are you two doing? I’ve never seen you hang out before.”

“We’re not,” Liam said. “We’re trying to figure out what to do about Kamilah and Sofi.”

Leo immediately shook his head. “No, he’s trying to figure out what to do. I say good riddance.”

“Who is Sofi?” Lola asked.

Papo answered before anyone else could. “Sofia has been Kamilah’s best friend since middle school. They had a disagreement a while ago and Sofi hasn’t talked to her since.”

“Kamilah had hoped she’d come to the engagement party,” Liam said. “She cried about it after everyone left.” Liam’s face was tense and his tone harsh. It was clear he didn’t like that his fiancée was upset. “I don’t know why Sofi can’t just get over it already.”

“Because she’s a stubborn brat,” Leo called from down the bar where he was pouring cola into a glass.

“Hey, Tío Leo,” Rosie piped up. “Do you think she’s still mad about—”

“Rosie! My favorite little person ever!” Leo suddenly yelled. “Come back here and help me make your kiddie cocktail!”

Rosie slammed her mouth shut, hopped off the stool, and raced around to the opening of the bar.

“That was subtle,” Liam muttered to no one in particular.

Lola had to agree. It was clear that Leo had done something to this Sofi person that he didn’t want anyone to know. She’d bring it up to Saint later. He’d know how to help.

“Hey, is she supposed to be back there?” Lola asked. “That doesn’t seem legal.”

---