Page 41 of Love Unwritten

Pinche pendejo: Fucking asshole.

I pretend not to notice the way she teeters on her sneakers. Just like I act like I don’t see Lorenzo’s eyes sparkle when he catches the same move a second later.

I love Lily like a sister, but I have my own problems to deal with tonight, and none of them include Julian’s nemesis.

I return to the bar to find Julian returning his black card to his wallet.

“Here.” Julian passes me a bottle of Modelo before reaching for his own. “So, what’s your plan?”

“I don’t have one.” Besides showing up here, that is.

“You could start the conversation off by sharing how much Nico misses her.”

“Already tried that.”

His brows rise. “Damn. I thought that would work.”

“Me too.” Ellie is proving more difficult than I thought, but I’m not about to give up at the first sign of adversity.

“What about giving her a raise?”

“I have a feeling her pride costs more than any offer I’m willing to make.”

“Then you’ll just have to play dirty. I’m sure Nico would be more than willing to shed a few tears if it meant getting Ellie back.”

“I’m not about to use my son like a pawn on one of your chessboards.”

“It’s not using if he is willing.”

“That’s so screwed up.”

“So was firing Ellie without giving her a second chance. She was the greatest thing that happened to Nico in a long time, and you can’t deny it.”

A spike of hot jealousy shoots through my chest.

Julian glances in my direction. “What’s that look about?”

“Nothing.”

“Seemed like something to me.”

“Stop poking around for answers you’re not getting.”

His brow arches. “Sorry. Hard not to pry when you’re looking a little green.”

“I’m not envious.”

“Next time, try saying that without twitching.”

I release a heavy breath. “Fine. Slightly, but I’m working on it.”

“Why would you be envious in the first place?”

“Because if someone asked Nico to pick between me and Ellie, I’m not sure I’d like the answer.”

Julian’s explosion of laughter makes me frown.

“Did I say something funny?”