Orlando (Boyle Heights #4) - Elizabeth Reyes Page 0,108
he had it bad for her now, and there was no sense in trying to deny it. She’d also just come off a pretty serious relationship. Given how quickly and eagerly she’d been all for their physical connection, no questions or even demands, he’d wondered if he might be her rebound guy. But so far, everything between them seemed perfect. She appeared to be just as sprung as he was and didn’t seem to mind whenever he’d slip and make a comment that bordered on what might sound controlling or overly possessive. It just couldn’t be helped sometimes, but he’d meant it when he said he’d be damned if he’d ever want her to compare him to her asshole ex.
Of course, Oreo was just as obviously smitten with her as Orlando was, and who could blame the little dude? Everything about her was so fucking perfect. Orlando had even cut off all other women cold turkey, including Felicia, especially after making it more than clear how he’d feel about Dani around her ex. The way he was feeling about her so soon scared the shit out of him, but at the same time, he was trying to set the precedent. Despite what an asshole her ex turned out to be, there was no getting past how serious she’d been about him, and how recently. There was no question about it now either. The guy was still pining over her—dropping to his knees in public to try and beg her back. Who the fuck did that? Orlando wanted to believe what she’d told him about the guy: that once she’d cut him off, he’d been respectful of her wishes and stopped trying to reconnect with her. It’s why it was so important to Orlando that she knew this was how he wanted things to be for both of them. Not just with her ex. No exceptions. So, he hadn’t answered or responded to any of Felicia’s calls or texts since he’d gotten his first taste of Dani’s lips, even before the cologne incident.
Seeing Felicia’s name on the envelope on his phone screen now annoyed him. He hadn’t heard from her in over a week when he last ignored her call, but now there it was again. Didn’t she get the hint? He pulled up the driveway of his house, anxious to get inside to Dani and Oreo. Only reason he even clicked on Felicia’s text was to get it off the screen of his phone. He wasn’t taking any chances when it came to this, especially since he and Dani had yet to make any real promises. Orlando was trying not to be too pushy. Everything was still under assumed expectations. So, he didn’t want to give her any reason to think this was some kind of open relationship like he’d described his and Felicia’s. Clicking the text, he almost hit erase before even reading it, until Dani’s name in the text caught his eye. He clenched his jaw instantly in defense mode. He’d only respond to her if she even remotely made a snarky remark about Dani.
How goes it? Is everything with Dani and the baby still working out? Seeing her love interest this morning reminded me of her, so I thought I’d ask.
Orlando reread the text again, trying to make sense of it. Love interest? Was she being catty? Baiting him? Orlando’s relationship with Dani hadn’t been a secret in any way almost since the beginning. It stood to reason she’d heard about it already. Maybe she’d even come by the shop or his house and caught a glimpse of them together. With him barely able to keep his hands and lips off Dani now, Felicia could’ve easily been witness to just how much their relationship had changed. If that were the case, then what the hell was she up to texting him about Dani’s love interest?
Deciding not to bite, Orlando deleted the text, refusing to give it any more thought. Whatever games Felicia might be playing, he wouldn’t let her suck him in. For all he knew, maybe she’d seen Orlando somewhere that morning. They’d uploaded a few new YouTube videos that past week about the shop’s latest restorations. If Felicia had caught any of that, maybe this was just her cryptic way of letting Orlando know she’d seen him and that she knew he was now Dani’s love interest. As if it mattered or he’d care that she knew he’d moved on.