Chapter Twenty-six

Ihave fifteen minutes to spare before I leave my car and head into work. I thought I would be late because, according to Abuela, Sophie had a rough night. I checked her temperature, and she was running a slight fever. I wanted to stay home with her, but Abuela insisted I didn't miss any more work since I have a daughter to support. She reassured me that she would call if she got worse.

A knock on my window scares the crap out of me.

"What the hell, Ash!" I yell through the window, holding my chest.

He laughs.

I put my phone away and step out of the car, ready to knock him on his ass.

"Are you coming to our Halloween party, or what?" Ash asks as he jumps and sits on the hood of her car.

"Get off my car, Ash," I scold him, trying to push him off but he's too big; he barely moves.

"Nope." Popping the P. "Not until you agree to go. It's our birthday, in case you've forgotten."

"No, dumbass, I haven't forgotten." I roll my eyes but can't hide the smile forming on my lips.

"Soooo….that means you'll come?" He gives me sad puppy eyes and a pouty lip.

I hear footsteps and glance behind me. Doni stands on the passenger side with both elbows and forearms resting on top of the hood. I glance at him for help, but he throws his hands up in the air.

"I'm not getting involved in this." He chuckles.

I stick my tongue out at him and turn back to Ash.

"So, you coming or what?" Ash pops a mint in his mouth.

"I suppose." I walk toward Ash and smack him on his arm to get off my car.

"Now that's what I'm talking about." Ash jumps off the car and leans against the hood.

"As long as you go to my party at Seb's afterward," I say.

Ash and Doni look at each other in confusion.

"That's the deal, or I don't go to your party." I cross my arms over my chest, challenging them. "I want you to meet my friends, and they want to meet you."

Mine and Ash's eyes lock in understanding. Doni walks toward me, placing his hands on my hips and spinning me around to face him, trying hard not to kiss him as if my life depended on it.

"Fine. If we pick you up," he counters.

"And Tia," I retort back with a "take it or leave it" smile. I have to raise my head to look at him because he's so tall.

"Fine. I'm sure Ash won't mind if she came, would you, brother?" he asks him while not breaking my eye contact.

"Fuck yeah, it's fine with me."

"Good," Doni says.

"Good," I mimic back like a parrot.