Page 55 of Ricochet

Javier’s eyebrow arched. “First, I know her better than you.”

“I know things,” Sophia protested.

“She’s never shot at you.” Javier kissed the top of his wife’s head. “Me? Yeah. Colin, yeah.”

“Years ago, and you all haven’t mentioned that since. Everyone’s friends.”

Javier pointed at her then Colin and back to his chest, signaling thatColin could have done those things when it came to their coupling under questionable circumstances but didn’t. “Have you forgotten who’s involved in this conversation?”

Sophia blushed. “We were different.”

“Uh-huh,” Javier said unconvincingly.

“My point is that, never, in all my years, have I ever seen my big brother—”

“Sophia.” Colin had no idea what she might say, and he didn’t want tohear it. His hand went up like a crossing guard’s while the other wagged his beer. “Don’t finish that sentence. I don’t want to know what you think you see.”

“Oh, I know.” The oven timer beeped. “Saved for now.”

At least they weren’t having a heart to heart about Dad’s unexpected death.

Javier shook his head, and he and Colin grabbed the piles of plates and utensils Sophia had laid out, settingabout their weekly tradition.

When the oven opened, the spicy air made Colin’s mouth water, and by the time they’d set the table, Sophia had her main dish plated and sides on the table. With their drinks in hand, they grabbed their familiar places, and as Colin shook out his napkin for his lap, he noticed that his sister hadn’t moved.

Javier and Colin picked up dishes to serve themselves, butthis wasn’t going to work. “Okay, let’s get this over with so we can have a normal dinner. What do you have to say, Soph?”

“Thank you.” She took her seat. “I want to know your opinion on her. That’s it.”

Man, she didn’t even have to take a breath or think of a question.

Then again, he didn’t have to either. “Adelia’s sweet and beautiful.”

Sophia’s “aw” was loud enough the neighbors could haveheard. Colin gave an uncomfortable flat grin. “Now, are you going to eat?”

She fluttered her eyelashes. “I don’t remember you sharing from the heart like that before.”

He didn’t remember doing a lot of things before Dad died. In the short amount of time since, Colin had made a couple decisions that were significantly out of step from his norm, but not enough that he planned to share with Sophia.“I can’t recall a hunger strike.” He took a plate from Javier and scooped some Feijoada. “Thanks.”

Javier nodded, putting some on her plate.

“Well, then should we talk about Dad, or do you want to avoid that too?”

With his fork in hand, Colin froze. “Can’t we just eat?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, of course. More worried about Mom than anything else.”

“Funny, she said the same thing about you.”Sophia speared a piece of chicken.

“Dinner looks great,” Colin tried to change the subject, picking at his meal. The hairs in his nose burned before he took the first bite.

“Are we done talking then?” Sophia muttered.

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m broke up over Dad, and I like a girl.”

“You’re right.” She put her fork down and pushed away from the table. Javier watched, andColin didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. But she didn’t walk out of the kitchen. Instead, she rounded the table, and wrapped her arms around him.

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