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I mean you look put together if frat boy is the look you’re going for. But if you want to look classy and understated—like you’re not trying but just are... Yeah. I can help you.
Leo
You’re a lifesaver, Caitie.
Caitlin
Call me Caitie again and I’ll leak the picture of you making out with that blow-up doll in college to the Kroydon Kronicles.
Leo
Cold as ice, Caitlin.
Caitlin
And don’t you forget it, Leo.
I put my phone down as my mother sits across from me in Sweet Temptations.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, sweetheart?” She pushes one of her famous chocolate chip cookies across the table and slides it next to the espresso pick-me-up I needed by three this afternoon.
I break a piece of cookie off and dip it in my espresso, just to see her grimace like I’ve just committed a crime against humanity. “I’m working on designs for Lilah’s upcoming tour and didn’t get much sleep last night.”
Not a complete lie.
I was working on the designs... well, before Callen came home.
Mom moves the napkin with my cookie away. “Uh-uh. I know my daughter, and that smile was not excitement over designs. That smile was for a man.”
She reaches for my espresso, but I lift it out of reach and refuse to answer.
How can I when I don’t even know what I’d say.
It’s obvious she doesn’t believe me as she breaks off a piece of the cookie. “Whatever you say. Did you have a nice birthday weekend?”
“Mom, it’s not like I didn’t spend Friday night with you and Dad and the boys.” I eye the cookie and wonder if I can take her. Ha. Kidding. Sort of. My mom is a badass with a capital B. You’d have to be to be my father’s wife.
Speak of the devils, and they shall appear.
Rome and Lucky walk into the shop, so completely involved in whatever bullshit they’re spewing, they don’t even notice Mom and me sitting in the corner until they walk over to the counter and both start hitting on my friend Quinlan when she gets their coffees, then points toward Mom and me. I watch her eyes roll as my brothers make their way over to us and don’t bother hiding my laugh.
“You know she’s way out of your league,” I tell the two of them as they take turns kissing my mother’s cheek so she doesn’t lecture them where they stand. The Beneventi boys, Maddox included, can be and are cocky shits most of the time, but they will never disrespect our mom.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, kit cat,” Rome challenges me because he knows I won’t start shit over the stupid nickname in front of Mom. “I promised Nonna I’d pick her up some biscotti today. Her hands are bothering her, and she didn’t want to make them herself. You got any, Ma?”
“Stop hitting on my employees, and I’ll get you whatever you want,” she tells him as she gets up before she stops and looks at me. “We’ll pick up this conversation soon, principessa.”
Rome follows Mom back to the counter, and Lucky steals her seat and pops the rest of the half-eaten cookie into his mouth, then looks back at Quinlan. “She wants me.”
I laugh. “You think everyone wants you.”
He shrugs. “They do. No girl can resist the bad boy.”
My dumbass littlest brother smirks, and I think I throw up in my mouth a little. “You’re disgusting.”
“Also true. You coming to the Kings game this week?”
Our family has two boxes at the stadium. One is the official owners’ suite. If you’re in there, you better be prepared to be working. You’re on the whole time and better behave like it. The other one is the family box. Family and friends only. No cameras allowed. As much as I like to tease Callen about football, I grew up in that suite as much as I did in his family’s suite. Our moms were always together. Even at the games. I know football. I don’t necessarily love the game, but I do love the team. Then there’s Callen...
