get Sofia settled and his parents at least willing to do a Skype call with the baby once a week.
Sofia and Blue’s arrival had finally given Rocco and me a reason to make our own living arrangements official, and we were now sharing the little bungalow he’d rented after accepting the twins’ job offer. I must’ve been making a particularly cheesy face because Rocco stopped what he was doing and blew me a kiss.
Next to me, Sofia yelped in feigned horror. “Yo, what’s the deal with you two and the PDA?”
I laughed and turned to her. “Hey, I can’t help it if your brother is the hottest man in Texas.”
This time she did look terrified. “Oh my God, y’all do the most.”
Rocco smiled, pointing at his baby sister. “Ooh, Texas is rubbing off on you. Was that a ‘y’all’ I heard?”
She rolled her eyes at his teasing and stood up. “Okay, enough of that. I’m leaving. I got school and work tomorrow and Blue has day care.” She walked over to her little girl, who was happily playing with the cat as she sucked her thumb. As soon as she bent down to her, Blue raised her arms.
Groaning, Sofia picked her up. “Baby girl, you’re getting so big. Pretty soon Uncle Rocco will be the only one who can pick you up.” At the mention of her favorite person, Blue smiled and cheered.
“Unca Rock.”
I walked over to him and extended my arm to pull him up. As I expected, he held on to me and came in for a kiss as soon as he was standing. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I tried hard not to grin like an idiot, but it was really fucking hard to keep my cool whenever I saw those blue eyes twinkling in my direction. “I make it too easy for you.”
That smile was going to be the end of me.
“It’s because you love me,” he said, as Sofia moved around the apartment gathering her things before heading home.
“I do,” I said, pressing a kiss to his mouth.
The Gotham Exiles were finally home.
* * *
Acknowledgments
Found families are one of my favorite things to write because of how much they have meant in my own life. I left home at twenty-three and spent the next fourteen years going on adventures. Every place I landed I found people who became family, who made the new strange place familiar, and I am so much better because of each of those friendships.
To my first NYC friends, Traci and Nikoleta... The Ethiopia crew, Carmen, Marcia, Andrea, Esther Mary, the kiddos and the spouses... You made a home for me when I was so far from my own and I will be forever grateful. To the Ithaca fam, Ellen, Tammy, Andy, Tiffany and all the AC friends... You made a cold place so warm for us.
There are so many people who helped make this book happen, and I am so thankful for all of them.
To my readers who have found my stories and connected with these Afro-Latinx characters, you have been a blessing in so many ways.
Kerri Buckley, my editor. It’s a special thing when someone can see the things in my stories that are most important to me and not just value them, but understand them. I am so fortunate to be able to work on more books with you.
The Carina PR and Marketing team, for all you do to get my stories out there and your constant support.
Linda Camacho, for everything.
My writing community. The friends I’ve made on this journey have kept me sane and kept me going, and I am so blessed to have them there to cheer me on.
Always to my partner and my girl who are still my biggest supporters.
Keep reading for an excerpt from American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera.
American Dreamer
by Adriana Herrera
Chapter One
Nesto
“So, this is it? You’re really taking off to that wilderness upstate.”
I looked up from where I was trying to shove another gigantic container into the back of my food truck, and saw Camilo, one of my three best friends, walking down the sidewalk wearing oversized sunglasses and holding an enormous cup of coffee.
Late as always.
He was supposed to be here an hour ago, but could he manage to make it on time to help me literally pack up my entire life? No.
“What the fuck, Milo? You’re an hour late, pendejo! I’ve been waiting on you since seven a.m. You know I’m on a schedule, man. I can’t have this truck sitting here all morning!” I cringed