Fog blankets the sky, but behind it is the peekaboo of a navy night and a glowing crescent moon.  Neal was kind enough to lend me a sweater, but it fits me like a fat guy in a little coat, so I keep tugging on the collar and sleeves. 

“Stop fussing,” Evan teases as we sit on Mindy’s balcony.

“I look ridiculous.”

“Yeah, but you always do.” Evan grins as a cloud of cigar smoke flows from his lips. But then he spears me with his piercing blues irises and flicks the ash off the cigar's tip. “So, what happened to you?”

“A dog got hit by a car in front of me. It was brutal.” 

“Is that the story you’re going with?” he cocks a brow.

“What do you mean?”

“Did the dog explode on impact?” Evan laughs. “Because I’m having a hard time believing the blood splatter on your shirt is from a dog.”

“You don’t have to believe me.” I shrug, and Evan shakes his head as he leans forward.

“Weird things have been going on, man.”

“Like what?”

“Jackson and Alma. I think they’re up to something with that Angie chick.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“I dunno. They’re always whispering. Like the other day, they invited me to go bowling, so I went, and anytime I wasn’t looking, the three of them were whispering. It just gives me bad vibes, you know? Like they’re planning something. Plus, people talk.”

“And what do people say?”

Evan glances behind us, but the sliding glass door is shut, and no one can hear us. Yet, the hairs on my neck are erect anyway because I know where this is going, and I wish it weren’t. He must have learned I’ve been fucking Angie. 

How the hell am I going to rationalize this? 

Especially since he’s so protective of Mindy and doesn’t want her getting hurt by some selfish asshole like me, who was so sexually deprived, I stuck my dick inside Angie Psycho Killer Mendoza. He looks back at me and exhales while running a hand through his blonde hair. 

“Chloe told me she met up with Alma for coffee the other day, and Alma was talking about her ex, Gino. Apparently, she sounded paranoid and said she needs to kill Gino before he kills her.”

“Well, that’s not a surprise.” I shrug. “We all know her ex-husband is walnuts and getting out of prison soon. Lord knows what revenge plans he has.” 

“Yeah, but the thing that set off Chloe’s alarm bells is that Alma asked if she would be her alibi. So Chloe asked her what she meant, and Alma started talking about how Gino won’t be free for long and Angie is helping her figure things out. I think the entire conversation rattled Chloe.”

“Well, I’m sure the anxiety of Gino getting released is messing with Alma’s head. The guy kidnapped her and drove around with her in the trunk of his car. He’s insane.”

“Oh, there’s no denying that." Evan waves his hands. "All I’m saying is something weird is brewing, and I feel like it ties back to Angie. Ever since she came along, Jackson has been acting strange. He turned me down for beers last night. When have we known the guy to reject a few brews after work?”

“Maybe he wanted to spend time with Alma.”

“And that’s another thing.” Evan wags his finger. “Are they sleeping together?”

“I think it’s more than that. The last time I hung out with them, I got the impression they were dating.”

“When was that? And how come I wasn’t invited?” Evan furrows his brows.

“Last week. It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.”

“Speaking of spur of the moment…” Evan leans forward on the Adirondack chair, and dread washes over me because here comes the big question. “I heard a little rumor you’ve been sleeping with Angie, but I’m hoping it’s false. Especially because you and Mindy seem cozy tonight.”

“Look, Ev…” I rub the stubble on my chin, and my fingers touch crusted blood, reminding me what happened earlier—reminding me Mindy is too good for me, and I still have her husband to take care of. “I would never hurt Mindy.”

“So, you’re not denying it? You did sleep with Angie.”

“No, I—”

“So you did or didn’t?” he probes, and I know he’s not going to drop the subject. He cares too much for Mindy to let this go.

“Ev… I…”

“I can’t believe you!” Evan stubs out the cigar, shaking his head. “Mindy is the sweetest, kindest, and—”

“Ev, I know.”

“Then why would you do that? You know Mindy is crazy about you. Why would you go for a burger when you can have filet mignon?”

“Because the burger was fast, and I was hungry, ok!” I toss up my hands.

“You know it will break Mindy's heart when she finds out.”

“Then don’t say anything.”

“I won’t,” he sighs. “But that doesn’t mean Angie will keep her mouth shut. Chloe is the one who told me about the rumor, and she heard it from Alma. Which means Angie told her. This also means Jackson probably knows too since, according to you, he and Alma are dating.”

“So what you’re saying is, Mindy will inevitably find out.”

“Don’t let her find out from someone else, especially if you’re going to move things forward with her. Neither of you is ready to date, but sometimes you can’t fight what the heart wants, so promise me you’ll do right by her. Promise me you’ll treat her heart with care.”

“I will. The whole thing with Angie was a mistake.” I lean forward and scrub my face with my hands. “One big fucking mistake.”

Evan is about to say something again, but the sliding glass door opens, and the sound of the party trickles out, along with Neal. It’s a welcomed interruption since we don’t need to tumble further down this road with the conversation. I don’t want Evan speculating that I’m part of what's going on with Alma and Jackson—which I am, but he doesn’t need to know. The less collateral damage, the better. 

“We need the two of you to gather around for the cake,” Neal announces.

“Cake?” Evan and I say at the same time.

“Yes. To make this celebration official.”

“What are we celebrating?” I ask.

“The huge gig Mindy finalized negotiations on this week! Hello. It’s why we’re all here,” Neal says.

“She didn’t tell me that.” I glance at Evan. “Did you know?”

“Of course. She told Chloe and me the other night at Cha Cha Cha.”

“Wait." I hold up my hand. "Why wasn’t I invited? You know I love that place.” 

“I thought you were working at Penthouse, so I figured you couldn’t come.” Evan shrugs.

“Right…” I nod. There are a few ticks of silence as I absorb the fact I’ve been so consumed by Angie's world that I missed a massive accomplishment for the woman who has my heart by the balls. “Well, I guess we better get in there!”

The Adirondack chairs creak as we stand, and Evan brushes cigar ash off his pants. We leave behind the twinkle of streetlights and haze of fog blanketing the neighborhood as we step inside the warmth of the apartment. Mindy, her friend Nadia and Chloe are in the kitchen giggling at something and judging by their gazes flashing our way, they were talking about us.

Or at least me. 

Just a few zig-zags around guests and a dining table, and I’m right by her side, my arm curling her shoulders. Mindy's beautiful, sweet face lights up, so at least I know whatever they were discussing had to be good.

“What are you two giggling about?" I ask.

“Oh, nothing.” Chloe shrugs, but the twitch at the corners of her thin wine-painted lips gives her away. “Just girl stuff.”

“Like Neal?” I offer because Mindy has the right idea about setting them up. 

Chloe is an artsy-fartsy girl, so you'd expect her to be stuffy and rude. Instead, she will have you laughing so hard you'll cry, and she can also out-dance anyone. From what I’ve learned about Neal, he works in broadcast journalism as a cameraman but competes in ballroom dancing during his free time, which explains why he’s so slim yet muscular. They’re perfect for each other.

Plus, I keep catching Neal gazing at Chloe with emoji heart eyes, and I don’t blame him. She’s a classic beauty with a fashion style that would make Audrey Hepburn jealous. Even I find myself checking her out from time to time. Like the night we all went salsa dancing, and she wore an emerald green sparkly dress with a deep V in the front that showed off her smaller yet gorgeous cleavage. She's underrated, and I wish she realized how much of a gem she is.

“No, we’re not talking about Neal.” Chloe rolls her eyes, grinning. 

“I think he likes you,” I tease with a poke to her shoulder.

“I don’t know," Chloe sighs. "I’m not sure if I’m ready to date, but I do really, really want to get laid.”

“Chloe!” Mindy smacks her arm.

“Oh, is that awkward to say since Neal is your cousin?" Chloe giggles. "Because I would totally bang his brains out. I haven’t had sex in so long I feel like I’ll combust soon if I don’t orgasm.”

“Try a dildo,” Evan snorts.

“It’s not the same!” Chloe turns to Mindy. “Am I right?”

“Uh…” Mindy's eyes widen and dart to me.

“Oh, come on. Don’t play innocent!" Chloe playfully shoves her. "Just the other day, you were saying how vibrators don’t even come close to a real dic—”

In one flash, Mindy’s hand clamps over Chloe’s mouth, and her cheeks turn three shades darker. I like seeing her flustered and embarrassed. It’s adorable.

“Alright, everyone,” Neal announces, and there’s a wash of relief over Mindy’s face as her hand slides away from Chloe’s mouth. “Gather around.”

Amid our chatting, Neal managed to fill the cake with countless candles and light them. The multiple flames dance as we all take our places around the dining room table, and Mindy begins scolding her cousin.

“I told you not to make it a big deal!” she complains with a giant smile.

“But it is a big deal,” he replies and reels her into his side, kissing her temple. 

Embarrassment tints her complexion again, but she’s grinning from ear to ear, so I know she’s proud. 

“No one and I mean no one,” he continues. “Could ever guess that our very own Mindy Maira Reddy—”

“Arora!” she corrects.

“I’m sorry. Ms. Mindy Maira Arora could ever land such a dream job as the contract she finalized on Friday. Mindy, my dearest, sweet, favorite cousin—”

“Hey, I thought I was your favorite,” a family member says with hands on her hips, faking a gasp.

“You know I love you too, Jaz, but I love Mindy even more,” he cackles, and the room laughs. “I’m teasing. I’m teasing. But where were we? Oh yes, never in our family's history has someone landed such an immense opportunity. So before these candles melt all over the cake, I just wanted to say, Mindy, I am so proud of you. Every day you work your ass off planning lavish events for clients, and people are noticing. Congratulations, my dearest cousin, on landing a contract with the Abramovitz family.”

The room erupts in applause, and I raise my drink with everyone else as Mindy blows out the candles. This is a celebration, yet I don’t recognize the name Abramovitz, so I have no idea why it’s such a huge deal, but I’m happy for her anyway.

“So…” I turn to Evan. “Should I know who that family is?”

“The Abramovitz?” he scoffs and stares at me as if I live on Mars. “Dude, they’re one of the richest, if not the richest family in the Bay Area. Plus, they’re like, connected to the mob or something. I can’t believe you don’t know this.”

“I mean, I guess it sounds familiar, but you know I don’t care about bougie shit, so they must be off my radar.”

“Dude, you should seriously read up on them. They live in some mansion in Golden Gate Park, but no one in their right mind goes near it because they’re armed to the teeth in security.”

Blood pulses in my ears and all the sound around me fades. Evan’s lips move, but I no longer hear him as my heart whips like a rattlesnake’s tail. Mindy radiates pride as she smiles at everyone congratulating her, but I can’t move. I’m unsure if I’m breathing because this is too much. 

All this time, I’ve only heard people refer to Augusta and Jocelyn as the Sisters, and I never bothered to learn their last name. 

But one thing is for sure, the Sisters can puncture my neck with their fangs, and I’ll endure it, but to go after Mindy? 

My Mindy?

They’ve lost their damn minds!

And I need to find out what the fuck they think they’re doing, roping her into this mess. Because there is no way I’m letting their tightly wound asses lay a finger on Mindy. 

Consequences be damned, I’ll put them in a grave just as quickly as Richie fucking Reddy.