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Itzel popped her head into our huddle. “Are we talking about the fact that Monroe just made a confession of love to Graciella on live TV?” She clutched her hands to her chest. “Because that was so romantic.”

Something swelled in my throat, warm and unwanted, and I shoved it back down before it could take root.

Hope sucked. Hope was fragile and self-serving. And it hurt every time it failed.

I twisted my lips, pressing them together. Trying to keep the confession from spilling out. “There’s nothing happening between us.”

Itzel rolled her eyes so hard it surprised me she didn’t strain something. “That is the biggest load of crap I have ever heard.” She planted a hand on her hip, curls wild around her face, staring me down with a directness she rarely used. “His eyes track you every five seconds, Chella. And your voice just went all high and squeaky.”

“He’s dating someone,” I argued. “You, in fact. And he has a kid, and⁠—”

I racked my brain. There had to be more. There was more. I’d made a whole mental list.

Itzel didn’t even let me finish. “All crap reasons. I knew you liked him from the moment you came to talk to me about this job.”

“Is this some sort of weird intervention you two planned?” I flicked a finger between them. “Because I’m feeling very set up right now.”

“So defensive when love gets brought up,” Ari said, smiling.

“Espérame.” I held up a hand. “Nobody said anything about love. I do not love Monroe.”

They ignored me completely.

“Damned near obsessed with Graciella,” Ari said, pointing at Itzel like she was presenting evidence.

“The only thing we talk about is her.”

Itzel’s words hit me somewhere I wasn’t prepared for.

“Wait.” I shook my head. “What do you mean all you talk about is me?”

Something about Itzel’s soft smile had my stomach in knots. Being nervous and excited on an empty stomach was not a great combination.

“Yeah, he asks all sorts of questions about you.”

“He told Dalton and Jimenez you’re the one he wishes he was on dates with,” Ari added.

The two grabbed hands and squealed like we were back in middle school discussing boys.

“So spill, Graciella.” Ari hit my arm. “What’s going on between you two?”

My teeth caught my bottom lip.

Don’t.

The words sat right there. All I needed to do was keep my mouth shut⁠—

“I…we might’ve shared a room together at the Draft.” The confession poured out. “And he kissed me, and I kissed him back.”

Ariella started quietly squealing and clapping her hands.

Itzel’s face turned bright red. “I knew it. And believe me, he definitely likes you.”

Ari cackled when Itzel hit her shoulder and scolded her. “Clearly, he kissed you. I bet he wanted to kiss another set of lips at the Draft.”

“And I might have watched him jack off in the shower…”

Dead silence for half a second.