Orlando (Boyle Heights #4) - Elizabeth Reyes Page 0,67

running the shop, but it was never in a domineering way. On top of it all, Danica now knew firsthand how amazingly sweet he could be. Almost from day one, aside from the angst of having such huge secrets she’d yet to spill, she’d been amazed at how easy it was to talk to Orlando. Already it felt like she’d known him for way longer than the relatively short amount of time she actually had. They’d spent countless hours discussing mostly baby-related topics, but they’d also gotten to know each other a little better each time as he told her about his tight relationship with Nine and Beast.

Despite the embarrassment of her epic fails at cooking at his place—more than once now—she’d been grateful for the sweet way he tried to act like the outcome wasn’t as bad as she knew it was. He’d referred to her second attempt of making something as simple as fideo “interesting.” She was almost grateful for Felicia now, because she could already tell falling for a guy like Orlando would be too easy and that was a big no-no. But it was the only reason she could think of why she couldn’t blatantly lie to him. Like with Felicia, telling him about her plans with Ted didn’t feel so blatant. It’d all been true at one point, and since it really wasn’t any of his business like the other stuff was, there was no reason to feel guilty about doing so. There was just something so mesmerizing about those penetrating eyes when he spoke to her. She found herself practically holding her breath sometimes when his eyes searched hers, especially when he touched on an unnerving subject.

“Danica?”

She glanced up as hearing her name broke her out of her thoughts. It took her a moment to recognize him, but then her jaw dropped. “Oh my God.” Instantly on her feet, she rushed around the counter. She’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t even noticed anyone walk into the lobby. “How are you? It’s been so long.”

Anthony wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. “I’m great, and hell yeah, it’s been too long. How’ve you been?”

“I’m good,” she said as she pulled away to look at him.

“Well, you look great,” he said, sizing her up.

“Thank you, so do you. So, what are you up to these days?”

“Just working and trying to keep out of trouble. How ’bout you?” He eyed her with a smirk, taking her in again from top to bottom. “You must be married now, right? No way a hot thang like you hasn’t been snatched up yet. Damn, girl.”

She smiled, about to respond, when someone behind her cleared his throat loudly. She turned around to see Orlando searching for something behind the counter. He’d been upstairs on a call earlier, and she hadn’t even heard him come down. “Did you get a chance to make those copies I asked you to?”

“I did.” She leaned over the counter, surprised he hadn’t seen them. They were right in front of him, and she pointed at them.

“I’ll need more than these.” He picked them up and glanced up at her then behind her at Anthony before bringing his hardened stare back to her. Danica wondered about the call he’d taken upstairs. Had that put him in this odd mood? But then her thoughts were back to Anthony.

“Oh.” She turned around, feeling a little rude. “This is my friend Anthony from high school.” Motioning to Orlando, she introduced him to Anthony as her new boss. “It’s only my second week here,” she explained with a smile. Anthony smiled at Orlando, who was obviously in an uncharacteristically foul mood because he’d barely cracked a smile, but didn’t say a word before going back to searching for more behind the counter.

Turning back to Danica, Anthony smiled. “I work right up the street,” he said. “Maybe we can grab a drink after work one of these days?”

“Dani.”

Danica turned back to Orlando, who again didn’t look up because he was too busy with something on the counter, lips pressed a bit tightly. “When you’re done here, I’m gonna need you to make a few phone calls for me.”

“Of course.” She turned back to Anthony, stretching her lips, eyes wide because clearly Orlando’s phone call, whatever it was about, hadn’t gone well.

“I’m just here to pick up my car. If I can get my keys, I’ll let you be,” Anthony said, obviously interpreting her boss’s mood as him being