CASEY
Cesar moved with the same unhurried confidence he always had, pulling out a chair for Amara. She sat gracefully, her hand brushing his in a way so small, so casual, I might have missed it if I hadn't been watching them like my life depended on it.
I forced my eyes back to my plate, but my ears refused to shut off. Leonard cleared his throat.
"We weren't expecting you tonight, Cesar."
Cesar smiled faintly. "Plans changed."
Plans changed?
I stabbed at my food with my fork, but all I could feel was the heat crawling up my neck, spreading like wildfire under my skin.
As my mother went to make sure the maid had adjusted to the unexpected guests we were now having for dinner, Cesar crouched slightly to introduce Amara to Victor.
Amara tilted her head, studying him with a soft curiosity.
"And who's this little guy?"
"That's my bro, Victor," Cesar said with that easy charm of his.
