Intertwined Hearts Series (4 book collection): (Intertwined Hearts, An Exceptional Twist, Tangled Paths & Grafted Vines)

by Kimi Flores

  Damn, I’d missed his confident smile.

  ⁂

  Everyone was gathered at Abby’s house, and I could tell my friend was a nervous wreck. Trying to maneuver around her kitchen with her new belly was proving to be a bit challenging, so all the women took turns lending a hand.

  She was also bothered about the fact that Caleb wasn’t upset his parents cancelled last minute. While my best friend was not a fan of her in-laws, I knew she felt guilty, as if she was the cause of the broken relationship. No matter how many times Caleb tried to assure her.

  I opened the door to the last guests who were arriving late. It was my turn to be a ball of anxiety. With her husband following closely behind, Stefen's mother stepped into the living room and attempted to hand her coat to my mom.

  The snootiest scowl appeared on Mrs. Hunter’s face. “Please make sure it doesn't get wrinkled. If I have to walk out of here with creases, I'm going to make sure my nephew takes it out of your pay.”

  As ladylike as possible, mami replied, “I think you have me confused. I'm Leah’s mom, Maria.” She extended her hand to the snobby woman who just scowled at it and walked away.

  Visibly infuriated, Mami’s nostrils flared, but being a lady through and through, she put on a fake smile and spoke to me through her teeth, “Hija, si esta bruja no se mantiene alejada de mi me le voy a sacar la madre a chancletazos.”

  I started busting up, loving the fact that nobody else knew what she’d just said.

  Stefen caught the tail end when he stepped out of the downstairs bathroom. “What was that? I understood something about throwing a sandal at someone’s head, but that was it.”

  I glanced at my mom, and we burst out laughing.

  “Two words.” I leaned toward Stefen and lifted my eyebrow. “Your. Mom.”

  He put his hands in front of him and waved them back and forth. “Oh. No need to say more. I apologize in advance for her behavior and anything that comes out of her mouth. She gave birth to me, but that's about as far as we go.”

  Mami gave him a sad look.

  “I'm sorry, Stefen.” I placed my hand on his shoulder, then remembered our interaction before we left my apartment.

  Giving me a knowing look, he was well aware of what was roaming around in my head. He let out a loud breath. “That's okay, I'm shocked she’s even here. She rarely spends the holidays with us. She’ll probably be drunk before dessert is served.”

  Bri came storming into the room in a hissy. “Who invited Mom? I wouldn’t have come if I’d known.”

  Mami pulled Stefen and Bri into a hug. “Don't worry, hijos. There’s enough mama love in me to share.”

  Stefen and Bri seemed to welcome the motherly affection as they wrapped their arms around each other and my mom. From what Stefen had told me, and the impression his mother just left, I imagined that woman never showed any love to her children.

  I loved my mom’s heart so much. Times like this proved just how blessed I’d been to have her.

  Looking at them made me swallow hard, a sadness coming over me. No wonder Stefen was afraid of love. He didn’t understand it. Can I be the one to change his mind?

  His eyes scanned my face as he and Bri headed toward the dining room.

  Mami pulled me to the side. “Hija, que paso? What was that little,” she fluttered her eyelashes quickly while rolling her eyes upward, “between you and Stefen? Are you guys dating and you didn’t tell me?”

  Shaking my head, I frowned. “No, Mami. We’re not.”

  “But you want to, sí?” My wise mother never missed a thing. “You’re afraid?”

  Looking down and closing my eyes, I nodded.

  She smoothed my hair and spoke tenderly, “Mija, fear kept me from the man I loved for way too long.” Lifting my head, I stared at her with wide eyes. “Yes, sweetie. I was afraid of what people would say, of what you guys would think, of degrading your father’s memory. You name it, I feared it.” Her hands cupped my face. “Do you love him?”

  My breathing caught as I fought off tears. “Yes, Mami, but I don’t know if I can risk everything we already have.”

  The sincerity in her eyes warmed my heart. “The bigger the risk, the better the reward. If you love him, you need to tell him. Everyone in this house can clearly see that he loves you, too.” I could only hope that was true, but for my mom to point it out was unexpected. “Don’t look at me like that, young lady. You know I’m right. Okay, let’s get in there and show that prissy puta how Latinas handle being insulted.”

  ⁂

  Leah

  The next morning, I woke up in my room at Stefen’s, next to my snoring sister. I made my way down the stairs and headed to the kitchen to make coffee and a light breakfast for everyone. Me, Stefen, and both of our sisters only had an hour before we had to be on the road. Stefen's shower started upstairs, and I figured I’d get the other two girls up when he got out.

  We hadn’t had any alone time to talk yet, but I was kind of grateful. It took all my willpower not to crawl into bed with him last night. Especially when Dani started snoring.

  I had just pushed the start button on the coffeemaker when I felt Stefen behind me.

  Jumping, I pressed my hand over my heart that was beating a million miles a minute. “You scared the crap out of me. I thought you were in the shower.”

  He rubbed his sleepy eyes, then ran his fingers through his bed hair a couple of times to smooth it down. Stretching, he reached up, revealing his flat abdomen under the hem of his shirt. “No, that’s Bri. She thinks it's funny to run and jump on my bed to wake me up whenever she visits. She’s just lucky I don’t sleep naked.” He brought his arms down and winked.

  I shook my head. “What is it with you and talking about being naked?” A soon as the words were out, I turned beet red, wishing I could take that statement back. Especially when the image of him, sans clothing, popped into my head. “I mean, you know, um—”

  “Why are you guys talking about being naked?”

  We both turned to see Dani standing in the doorway, wrapped in her thick robe and wearing fuzzy slippers.

  Flustered, I blurted out, “Stefen doesn’t sleep in the buff. I mean, when we sleep together he wears pajamas, or he always does—” I shifted on my feet, digging a bigger hole with each word.

  Dani’s eyes practically popped out of her head. “You guys sleep together! As in, more than the one time you told me about?”

  Vigorously shaking my head, I yelped, “Not like that. We’ve slept together, slept together a couple times, that’s all.”

  Stefen snickered, grabbing a couple of coffee cups out of the cupboard. “You’re not helping.”

  I scowled at him.

  “What exactly do you mean by slept together, slept together?” Dani narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

  I smacked my forehead. “I mean, we have actually been asleep together. Like watching TV and falling asleep on the couch sort of thing, not the—sex thing.” Those last two words came out uneasily, and I cringed.

  Dani gave us a pointed look. “Again, huh? Well that's kinda weird, don't you think. How do you fall asleep with someone so gorgeous that you’ve had sex with and it not be awkward?”

  Turning a deeper shade of red, I barked, “Dani, stop. Stefen and I had sex one time. That’s all.” Kill me now! The chuckle beside me fueled my fire, and I smacked Stefen on the stomach with the back of my hand. “Stop laughing. It’s not funny.”

  Stefen raised his arms as if he was stepping out of it. “Uh, I’ve got nothing to add.” He leaned against the counter and sipped his coffee.

  Dani’s eyes widened as she shook her head. “Well, I don't get it. You’re hot for each other. Everyone knows.” She flicked her wrist, motioning between us. “How could you not want to make babies together?”

  “Oh my gosh, Dani! I’m going to freaking throw my chancleta at you. You’re so embarrassing.”

  She smiled primly. “You know I just say it like it is.” She started to turn an
d walk out of the room, when Bri appeared.

  “What's up?” Bri walked in with a towel on her head. She picked up a cup and held it out to Stefen who was pouring coffee for everyone.

  Dani announced, “Stefen and Leah sleep together, and I think they would make beautiful babies.”

  Bri’s face lit with mock fury. “You liar!” She jabbed her finger at Stefen’s chest. “You told me you guys weren’t seeing each other. I knew it.” Spinning around, Bri leaned against the counter. “It’s so obvious you guys are in love. You look like two love-sick teenagers whenever you’re together.”

  “¡Hijo de puta! You guys suck!” I threw my hands in the air, then slapped my thighs as I left the kitchen, escaping into my room.

  I heard a knock on the door before I went into the bathroom to take a shower. “Come in,” I huffed.

  “I bring a peace offering.” Dani cracked the door open enough to poke the coffee mug through.

  I stomped over and snatched it before storming past her to the bathroom.

  “Don't be mad,” she said softly. “None of us understand. That's all.”

  I turned on the shower, then stalked over to my sister. “You completely humiliated me down there, Dani. I know you speak your mind, but that was embarrassing.”

  Sticking her bottom lip out, she apologized, “Los siento, hermanita.”

  “Can we just drop this? I've had enough for one morning. That's why I hang out with a guy and not girls. Less drama.”

  Dani raised her eyebrows. “Stefen? Less drama than a girl? You’re kidding, right?”

  I gave my sister one last dirty look, then closed the bathroom door.

  ⁂

  Stefen

  As we pulled out of my driveway, I still couldn't believe I was letting Bri drive my new car. She drove like a maniac. I always thought she’d make a great race car driver.

  I decided to get Dani back for harassing Leah earlier by letting her sit in the front seat without warning her about Bri’s driving. We’d started teasing each other months ago, after Leah brought me around their house, so I was sure Dani would catch on soon enough.

  Plus, I wanted to sit in the back with Leah.

  When we all got in, Dani buckled up and said, “I’m trusting you, Bri. You know I don’t like it when other people drive.”

  Snickering, Bri looked at me in the rearview mirror, “Can you believe she didn’t let me drive at all when we went to the Bay Area.”

  Leah nodded, “Yeah, it’s her thing. She must really like you because she won’t let me drive her anywhere if she can help it.”

  Uh oh.

  As we got onto the freeway, Dani grabbed the ‘oh shit’ bar.

  Bri rolled her eyes. “Dani, you can let go. I'm a safe driver.”

  I stifled a laugh.

  Dani glared back at me. “You let me sit up here on purpose, didn’t you?”

  “Now would I do something like that?” I gave her an innocent look, winking at Leah who seemed a bit off ever since this morning.

  “No freaking way,” Bri grumbled staring into the rearview mirror at the car tailgating us. “Of all the shitty luck. There is no way in hell you’re passing me, asshole.”

  “What are you doing?” I was starting to get irritated by her erratic driving as she swerved from side to side and sped up, then slowed down.

  Bri groaned, “This guy behind me is trying to pass, and there is no way I'm letting him pass.”

  “It’s a one lane highway here,” I sighed. “Wait until it opens up and just let him by. Don’t break our caravan. I don’t want to hear Mom riding your ass about it later.” I huffed. “Wait, why did you say it like that? Do you know him?”

  I turned around but couldn't get a good look at the driver. Bri didn't answer. Instead, she picked up speed for the next fifteen miles until we heard the engine revving behind us.

  The black Porsche passed and the driver gave her a dirty look. I watched Bri lift her hand to the window.

  “Did you just flip him off?” Dani laughed nervously, still keeping her death grip on the safety handle.

  “Yes, I did,” she said, unashamed. “He’s an asshole.”

  Moving her head from side to side, Dani asked, “Are you crazy, girl? We’re in L.A. He could have a gun.”

  “Dani,” Leah giggled. “It’s Santa Barbara. People don't normally wave guns around out here.”

  Ten minutes later, we pulled into Zachary's vineyard.

  I was answering texts from all the family traveling behind. “Go over there and drive all the way to the back.” I directed her around toward the dirt road on the left. “That's where his house is.”

  Buddy, Zachary's dog, came running up to us as we parked. I noticed that the Porsche my sister had been racing was parked close by.

  I opened Leah's door, getting her attention and pointing with my eyes to the other car. “This ought to be interesting.”

  Leah raised her eyebrows, and whispered, “What was that about anyway?”

  I shrugged. “No idea, but I have a feeling we’re about to find out.”

  I wrapped my arm around her waist and led her toward the front door. My sister was still in the car, fussing over her make-up when everyone else pulled in. It was amazing the caravan of family members were able to keep up a decent pace behind Speed Racer.

  Zachary stepped out of his house to greet us. “Hey, how’s it going? I'm so glad you all could make it.” He offered a friendly smile.

  After our greeting, I asked, “Hey who does that Porsche belong to?”

  “My cousin, Josh. He’s hanging out with us today. Hope you don't mind.”

  “Not at all but, just so you know, he and my sister, Mario Andretti over there, just did some drag racing down the one-fifty-four. I don't know that they’ll be on friendly terms.”

  Zachary laughed out loud. “Well, this should be fun.” He hugged and kissed Leah on the cheek. “How are you doing?”

  A small smile appeared on her lips. “Great. Looking forward to today.”

  It will be even better when we’re alone and finally get to talk.

  Even though we were friends with Zachary, it bugged me when any other guy touched her. I could hear my sister huffing behind me, which meant that she also saw the car parked in front. Everyone else came up at the same time. Introductions were made, but the only one that caught my eye was the interaction between Zachary and Dani.

  Leah pointed it out with those beautiful lips of hers, then whispered in my ear, “Look at Dani. She is totally blushing. I haven't ever seen her blush before.”

  I rolled my eyes. Here she goes with that matchmaking again.

  But when I turned to see what she was talking about, I had to agree. “Zachary seems to notice, too. Look at him watching her.”

  Leah and I stood so close that our chests were touching.

  Peeking past Leah's' shoulder, I caught my mom fuming past us, giving me the stare down. I backed away, not wanting her to cause a scene. I didn't need her hassling me about this.

  Leah looked at me with a mix of pity and irritation, and my stomach churned. I never want to see that look on her face again.

  Narrowing her eyes, she snapped, “Mommy doesn't like you talking to the help, huh? Old habits die hard, Stefen.” She attempted to walk inside where everyone else had gone, but I held her arms and pulled her back.

  “Please don't do that. You know what you mean to me. I just don't want to deal with her today.”

  “Careful, Stefen, Mommy Dearest might see you again.” She swallowed hard, then spun around and walked away before I could say anything further.

  And now my mom was stalking toward me again. Fan-fucking-tastic.

  “Stefen, would you please keep your hands off that girl?” She dusted the lint off my shoulder. “I've been with you for less than twenty-four hours now, and you can't seem to stop touching her. You swore to me yesterday that you didn't have anything going on with her, but I’m starting to think you’re lying.” She stood up str
aight, her arms across her chest.

  “Mom,” I groaned, closing my eyes. “Please don't start.” I didn’t have the balls to tell my overbearing mother that I was in love with Leah.

  What the hell is wrong with me?

  We made our way through the large Tuscan-style home and into the huge backyard. The large space was filled with lush greenery and flowers, and a couple of long tables were set-up inside of a rustic gazebo.

  Zachary introduced his cousin, Josh, to everyone once Leah joined the group.

  “I remember you,” I said as I stepped up to Leah’s side, placing my arm around her waist again. When she didn’t pull away, I stayed put. I turned to my sister and motioned back and forth between them. “Bri, didn't you guys hang out in New York?”

  She sneered over her shoulder. “Absolutely not.”

  Josh looked as though he was trying to place her.

  “I remember seeing a picture of you guys together in one of those magazines.” I turned back. “You're Josh Tucker, the actor, right?”

  Josh didn’t seem thrilled that he was recognized, but nodded anyway. “It was a long time ago. I don’t act anymore.”

  “We were just in the same crowd,” Bri said without looking at Josh.

  “Really? When?” His face said that he had no idea who Bri was.

  I glanced at my sister. If looks could kill, Josh would be face down on the grass.

  “Doesn't matter. Like you said, it was a very long time ago.” Bri turned with a huff, and Josh shrugged his shoulders, evidently not interested in pursuing it.

  I would have to ask her about this later, when we were alone and she wasn’t all pissy.

  Extending my hand, I introduced myself. “Well it's nice to meet you. I'm Stefen and that stubborn girl over there is my sister, Bri.”

  He looked down, shrugged, then shook my hand. “Nice to meet you. Your sister and I already made eye contact when she gave me the finger.” One side of his mouth lifted up into a smirk, then he took a swig of his drink.

  Bri, who was still within ear shot, flipped her hair over her shoulder and glared at him.