Standing by the foot of the bed, wearing his typical winter uniform that consists of a backward Yankees hat, dark hoodie, jeans, and white Nikes, along with a smug look on his face, is none other than Antonio Nuñez. The bane of my existence, and the only man who has the power to be my undoing.
“Antonio, play nice,” Amelia chides.
Antonio chuckles as he makes his way to her, only breaking eye contact with me once he’s at her side. “How are you feeling today, sis?” He places a kiss on her head and drops a small brown paper bag on her lap.
“I’m okay.” She opens Antonio’s offering and beams up at him. “You brought me Doña Gloria’s empanadas!Ah! You’re my favorite brother ever!” She holds her arms up, and he easily lowers himself to give her a quick hug.
“Only one, because I know you can do some real damage with unlimited access to those. Gloria says hi and hopes to see you soon.”
“Why don’t I know about these magical empanadas my woman loves?” Evan scoffs.
Antonio levels him with a glare that only a best friend like Evan would be able to survive. “Take it easy on themy womanstuff,Casanova. Give a brother a minute to warm up to this… change of dynamic.”
Evan gives Antonio a pat on the shoulder. “Sorry, Tony, but this has been a long time in the making. Hard to reel all that back in.” He winks at Amelia.
Between the disgustingly cute couple and the man ignoring my existence, I realize that this is my cue to get the hell outta here. I slide off the bed and grab my scarf from where it’s hanging off the nightstand next to me.
“And here I thought I was about to get the four-one-one on the adventures of Nikki’s love life. Or lack thereof.”
“Tony!” Amelia starts.
I take a deep breath before I speak. “Two,” I say as I loop my scarf around my neck while meeting Antonio’s gaze head on.
“Pardon?” He raises an amused brow.
“I gave you two free passes to make snarky remarks about me and my love life. And I’ve so generously gifted you those opportunities, because, although you have the emotional intelligence of that empanada Amelia is inhaling, you are the bonehead who saved her life. So yeah. Two is all you’re getting. Try for a third, and I promise I won’t hesitate to hit below the belt.”
Antonio shakes his head while blowing out a breath. “Singledom makes you cranky,” he mocks as he places his hands in his pockets and slowly starts to round the bed toward me. “And threatening a police officer? No need to get so pissy. If you stick to your usual rinse and repeat schedule, I’m sure the next Mr. Right will make an appearance any day now.” He smirks as he finally comes face to face with me.
Or more so my face to his chest.
Evan whisper-shouts, “This is going to get ugly,” while theatrically placing his hands over Amelia’s ears.
She swats his hands away while counting down softly. “Three… two… one…”
She knows me too well.
While that comment did hit a nerve, I’d never let it show. I’ll attack first and save the tears for the long, hot shower calling my name.
But for now, it’s time to knock this man down a peg or two.
“I’m sorry. Shouldn’t you be at work right now?” I look at my wrist, where my nonexistent watch is. “Oh, right.” I wince dramatically. “You’ve been downgraded to errand boy around here since you’ve been suspended.” A flash ofsomethingcrosses Antonio’s features at the mention of his work troubles, but he quickly covers it up with his signature scowl, so I carry on. “Well, look on the bright side. You can use the next few weeks to work on your people skills. Maybe even convince an unsuspecting woman that there’s more to you than popcorn muscles and a badge.” I give his chest a few patronizing pats.
Geez. Definitely no popcorn muscles here. Feels like I’m slapping a marble counter.
Before I can pull my hand away, he grabs my wrist and…growls? Did this man seriously just growl? What kind of acoustics does he carry in that massive chest of his?
While I continue my internal tangent, he leans in close. Too close for me not to notice his thick, dark eyelashes. The kind women would pay hundreds of dollars for. They’re currently unmoving since he has his gaze pinned on me. “I may be suspended, but I can still put you in handcuffs,” he says so low I’m the only one who can hear him.
I gasp and try to pull away, but he keeps my hand pinned to his chest.
“Okay, that’s enough, Tony. Leave Nikki alone,” Amelia shouts.
“Oh, come on, Amelia. We’re all friends here.” He quirks his lips. “RightNicolette?”
A zap of electricity, along with a deluge of old memories, comes flooding to the forefront of my mind. My mask of indifference slips for just a moment, but it’s long enough for Antonio to notice, given the look on his face.
“Stop it! You guys and your constant bickering. It’s stressing me out!” Amelia whines.
