Page 52 of Knocked Up by My Dad's Mafia Boss

My head is spinning after our last shot, taken in between sets from the live band.

But I do feel a little better.

When I walk back out into the bar, I can’t find Ricardo. He’s just…gone. I frown, checking my phone. He’s sent me a text.

Something came up. Dante will be picking you up. Be ready in an hour.

I huff out a breath. Great. This is another reason I don’t like Ricardo. He’s unreliable.

Which of course, I don’t complain about, because usually I want to stay out longer anyway and have my friends drive me home. But tonight Reese and I are both wasted.

My only option is calling Dante.

I walk up to Reese and take his hand, ushering him outside into the alley. He breathes out a long breath into the night air. “Fuck, I’m drunk.”

“Me too,” I admit, bracing myself against the alley wall. “But I’ve got bad news. Ricardo ditched us.”

“Again?” His eyes widen. “Fuck. And Sofia hasn’t been answering her phone in days.”

I sigh. “I’ll have to call Dante.”

Reese winces. “He fucking hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate you,” I lie. Dante definitely hates both Sofia and Reese, he’s always telling me they’re bad influences. Little does he knowI’mthe bad influence.

Reese raises an eyebrow but doesn’t protest when I pull my phone out of my purse. Dante answers after the third ring.

“What?”

Oh good. He’s in a great mood, it seems. I draw in a sharp breath. “Ricardo had something to take care of. Need you to come pick us up.”

“Us? Who are you with?”

I bite my lip. “Reese.”

He goes silent.

“Ricardo told me he had to leave. I’m on my way. Just stay put, I’m not chasing you around town.”

I don’t even respond, anger rushing through me at his tone. I hang up the phone and turn to Reese. “He’s coming, but he’s in a mood.”

Reese snorts. “He’s always in a fucking mood.”

I can’t argue with that. He’s never been particularly nice to Reese. He seems to hate him more than Sofia for some reason.

I lean against Reese as we wait for Dante and he puts his arms around me.

It’s comfortable, the heat of him nice against my back.

Sometimes I wish Reese and I had literally any chemistry other than friends.

He’s a good guy, even if he’s a bit unhinged, and our personalities mesh well.

But we tried to date in high school while he was on a break with Vaughn and it was… terrible.

Our first and only kiss felt like being kissed by my older brother.

It was just weird. We’re better off friends, and we’re both happier that way.