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She Will Be Loved

Chapter 54: Bet

By Love Ink

Angela was in her office at the funeral home listening intently to the grieving widow on the other end of the phone, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she typed what the widow was saying in order to form it into an obituary for the lady's deceased husband. She was aware of Juice watching her from his seat on the other side of the desk. He was leaning forward, his eyes intently on her face. She was doing her best not to focus on him and continue working. He shifted so he was leaning back, the movement catching her attention. She glanced at him quickly before doing a double take. He was biting his lip, his eyes darker than usual as he looked at her. She was willing to bet there were all kinds of dirty thoughts racing through his mind. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes met his. There was a yearning in his eyes that set her blood on fire. He really, really had to stop looking at her like that.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he winked at her in a way that did nothing to satiate the lust she was currently feeling. He stood slowly, his shirt shifting as he did showing off a sliver of his caramel skin. The urge to push him up against the nearest wall and let her hands roam under his shirt, feel the warm skin of his stomach, trace his muscles with her finger tips was strong. She shook her head at his back, a little thankful he'd walked away so she could focus on what she was doing and stop fantasizing about doing naughty things with Juice.

She finished off her phone call, hanging up the phone and letting out a long breath as she began editing the obituary, trying to cut out things where she could so it would fit the appropriate number of words in the newspaper the widow had paid for. It was going to be difficult to fit it all in, but she liked the challenge. She could feel Juice's presence as he hovered behind her and smiled. "How's it sounding?"

"Sad but also strangely happy? Like...he lived a really long, good life," he answered, leaning over the back of the chair so his face was even with hers. "This is brilliant."

She could feel the heat radiating off of his skin and instinctively leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Thanks, baby."

A slow smile spread across his face, igniting a fire in her belly. He caught her lips in a soft kiss, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. The buzzer over the front door rang, and he pulled away, a loving look on his face that made her feel all warm and fuzzy. "Like it when you call me 'baby'," he told her, kissing her forehead before going to sit down across from her again.

"Feel the same," she answered on a breath. She pushed away from the desk, stopping to kiss the side of his head before heading to the lobby. To her surprise, Happy and Kozik stood in the entryway looking a little uncomfortable. Probably because there was an open casket with a dead body in it visible in the chapel to the other side of them. "It's a dead body. Didn't think it'd freak you out so much."

"Looks like he's sleepin'," Happy muttered, taking a step closer.

"That's 'cause she's good at her job," Juice said, a proud smile on his face as he entered the room.

Angela smiled at him. "Thanks, ba...Juice," she said, correcting herself quickly. Happy took another curious step closer to the dead guy in the casket. She fought the urge to laugh at the genuinely curious look on her cousin's face. "What're you guys doing here?"

"Do we need a reason to visit?" Kozik asked, raising an eyebrow at them.

"No, but you usually have one," she shot back, crossing her arms over her chest. She glanced over at Happy who was a little to close to the casket. "Don't mess, Hap. I just set it all up so he looks good."

Happy didn't look pleased with her admonishment, but he respected her job enough to step away "Ma called. Wants to have a dinner tonight."

She furrowed her brow; that didn't make any sense. Elena usually didn't ask them to come over for dinner in the middle of week unless it was a special occasion. As far as she knew, there was no special occasion. "Why?"

"She need a reason?"

"It's free food. What more of a reason do you need?" Kozik asked.

Angela looked between them, wondering why they were actually there. This all felt a little...forced. "So you came to invite me in person instead of just calling me on the phone?"

"We were in the neighborhood," Kozik explained on a shrug.

"Of the cemetery," she stated, doubtful. "Damn, you guys must be bored."

"He's bein' fuckin' nosy," Happy stated, putting a toothpick in his mouth as he sat down on the couch in the waiting room. "Says somethin's up between the two a you."

Angela loved her cousin. Loved his bluntness. There was no beating around the bush or subtlety with Hap. "That's the reason for the dinner?"

"I mean, it's not not the reason," Kozik said on a shrug. "We both know you can fool me, and maybe Hap, but not Elena."

"Are you fooled, Hap?" Angela asked, amused.

Happy shrugged a shoulder. "I don't give a shit. Don't know why he cares so much."

" 'cause I know, I'm right," Kozik insisted, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked from Angela to Juice, eyes narrowed. "Right?"

"Wrong," she shot back, mimicking his position. She didn't have to be so stubborn. There was no reason to hide it from Kozik; she just loved driving him crazy. "You're not always right, you know."

Kozik nodded emphatically. "When it comes to you? I am. Usually can read you like a book."

"Clearly you need glasses," she replied, lying through her teeth. Kozik stared her down, and she held his stare, not willing to lose the contest. His phone rang, though, causing him curse, though he held her stare. She grinned in response. "You gonna get that?"

She could see him contemplating not answering but instincts won out. "Fuck," he muttered, looking away to get his phone.

Angela watched him walk out the front door leaving her alone with Happy and Juice. Happy took a step closer to Juice, getting in his face. "You hurt her, and you die," he threatened, his voice low and menacing. "Ain't no bullshit club politics stopping me from doin' it either. Not allowed to kill the Mayan, but you...I got nothin' stoppin' me."

"Jesus Christ, Hap, we're not even..." she started.

Happy turned to her with a smirk. "Don't lie to me, kid. You're not good at it," he said on a shrug. "Only reason I'm not sayin' shit to Koz is 'cause it ain't my business."

"And you don't want him to be right," she said with a big grin, nodding towards where Kozik had disappeared.

"Pain in the ass," he muttered, though she wasn't sure if he was talking about her or his best friend. He turned back to Juice. "You hear me, idiot?"

Juice nodded exaggeratedly. "Y-yeah. Loud and clear," he stammered, swallowing hard.

"Good," Happy replied before moving to kiss Angela's temple. "See you tonight at Ma's. Be good. I got a bet with Koz on this. I lose tonight, and you owe me fifty bucks. I said idiot would wuss out on makin' the first move."

"Hey!" Juice said indignantly. "I did make the first move!"

Angela laughed. "We'll be good, promise," she assured him, kissing her cousin's cheek. "Go get him to leave, or he's gonna figure somethin's up!"

Happy nodded, disappearing out the front door. Once he was gone, Juice relaxed a bit. He reached for her hand, sliding his fingers between hers and tugging gently. She turned around to face him, surprised by the pensive look on his face. "He's not really going to kill you, you know," she stated, playing with the snap on his front pocket with her free hand. It was something silly that she found herself doing far too often. Mostly because it was just something to do with her hands, an action that strangely calmed her. She liked the intimate feeling of it.

"Its never going to be an issue," Juice replied with a little shrug. "Angel, 'm...I'm never gonna hurt you. Not on purpose. Promise. Like I said, I've been wantin' this for a long time. Not about to mess this up."

Her heart did a silly little flip, and she leaned in to kiss him quickly. "You are such a mushhead," she told him kissing him quickly. "And it is going to be really difficult playing it cool with you tonight."

Juice grinned at her, and she leaned up to kiss him again before pulling away teasingly. "Then don't," he said, settling his hands on her hips.

She thought about it. Letting her family in on their little secret felt right. Still…she would not give Koz the satisfaction of being right. Not yet. "Mmm. I don't have a problem with them knowin'," she said, smacking a loud, obnoxious kiss against his lips. "I just do not want Koz to win that bet."

Juice glanced over at Angela excitedly as he drove her car to her Ma and Aunt's house. He loved going there for dinner. Loved the feeling of warmth and love that radiated through the place. Angela was a little quieter than usual as she played nervously with her ring. He reached out and grabbed her hand, threading his fingers between hers and giving it a squeeze. She exhaled heavily as she looked over at him. "Why are you so nervous?" he asked her, an eyebrow raised. "Is it me?"

"No," she said on a scowl. "No, I just...my Ma's actually home tonight, and yesterday was such a great night and today's been so good…I don't...I don't want her to ruin it."

He had no idea about the history between Angela and her mother. Only that their relationship wasn't necessarily a loving one. He got the feeling Elena had raised her more than Graciela ever had. A part of him wanted to ask about it, but he knew better than to say anything; if she wanted him to know, she'd tell him. "Nah, don't worry about it. She'll be so tired from her day, she'll probably go to sleep right after dinner."

She smirked at him. "You know my mother's schedule?"

"I did live with them for a few months when I first got here. Work nights she just eats, drinks wine, and goes to bed. No dominos, no gossip, nothin'."

"Unless her daughter is there, then she likes to nitpick every little thing I do," she said, shaking her head. "Why aren't you married? Where's my grandbabies? Why do you work with dead people? Who would ever want to be with someone like that? And why don't you dress up? Por favor, would it kill you to wear a dress? Ridiculous!"

Her imitation of her mother was incredibly on point. The slight Cuban accent and everything. "Wow. Graciela? Is that you? How'd you get in this car?"

She reached out her other hand to smack his arm. "Shut up! You know I'm right!"

He chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Well, I like you just the way you are," he said, bringing her knuckles to his lips and kissing them. "Always have."

Her grin widened, and she squeezed his hand. "Goof," she said, her nose wrinkled in the cutest way. Her smile faded as the sound of a Harley filled the air. Her eyes darted to the side mirror, and she dropped his hand quickly, staring straight ahead.

Juice glanced in the rearview mirror and noted the two Harleys behind him with the glimmering chrome and ape hangers. Mayans. He glanced over at Angela who'd gone rigid. "That who I think it is?"

She was quiet for a long moment, listening to the engines. "Doesn't sound like it. Probably his buddies. Ignore them."

It wasn't like he was going to do anything different. He knew better than to instigate shit unnecessarily, especially without backup. "What's he gonna do when he finds out about us?" he asked, a sick feeling in his stomach.

"I dunno. Hopefully he's smart enough not to do anything," she replied, messing with her ring again.

If Esai got anywhere near her again, Juice would beat the shit out of him. No questions asked. He deserved it. "I wouldn't bet on it," he muttered. "Guy's not the brightest crayon in the box."

She smirked, though she shook her head. "He's an asshole, but he's not dumb. A lot of that is an act to get him out of things. He can be smart when he tries. He just doesn't try."

Juice didn't like her defending Esai. Not one bit. He scowled at her. "Gotta be pretty dumb to cheat on you. Again."

"That we can agree on," she said glancing at the side mirror. She waited until the motorcycles fell back before grabbing his hand again. "But I'm glad he did because it led to this."

Juice smiled as she squeezed his hand. "Guess everything happens for a reason, right?"

Angela nodded, but she wasn't really listening to him. Her dark eyes were focused on the maroon Honda in the driveway of her aunt's house. Her mother's car. "Ready for this?" she asked him.

He was fine. Graciela loved him. Had always treated him with kindness. Clearly, Angela didn't feel quite so loving towards her. "Yeah, 'course. Just dinner, right?"

"Right," she said on a breath.

"You're gonna be fine." He leaned over to kiss her cheek quickly, hoping it would make her smile. The action was rewarded with the smallest of smiles, and he couldn't help but feel slightly proud of himself for it. He loved making her smile. "I got your back, baby."

A blush colored her cheeks as it usually did when he called her 'baby'. He loved it. He'd call her 'baby' all the time if he could just to see her cheeks go pink. "Let's get inside, goof, before they start getting suspicious. I'm sure they heard us pull up."

"Not much gets by them does it?" he asked as they both got out of the car.

She laughed, shaking her head. "Nope. Absolutely nothin'."

Angela could feel Kozik's gaze on her through almost all of dinner. He was laser focused on her and Juice and the way they were interacting like some crazy investigator. She largely ignored him. It was easy to play it cool with Juice knowing that it was making Koz lose a bet. Even Happy couldn't stop smirking.

"Angelita, mija, tell me, how is your job going?" Elena asked, an innocent enough question, but Angela knew right away what was going to come next. "You're still liking it?"

She nodded as she moved her food around her plate. "Good, I guess. I've been trying to update the place a bit. Make sure everything is clean and welcoming for new clients. Updated the casket showroom, actually. Got some new inventory there that's a little more modern."

"Are you saying there are casket trends?" Kozik asked, tilting his head to the side.

Angela nodded, feeling a little excited to talk about it; she actually loved her job and talking about it always excited her. "Oh yeah. People are into more biodegradable caskets now since the older ones have all sorts of toxins in their make-up and it's bad for the environment. That and they're trending towards more cremation, so I'm working on getting a new oven with higher heat. The one we have is from the seventies and takes forever."

"What if the club invests in it?" Juice proposed, surprising everyone at the table. "Like...we go in on half and you..."

"Not at the dinner table, idiot," Happy cut him off with a dark look. Juice nodded quickly, shoving a forkful of food into his mouth and looking up at the ceiling as if he hadn't said a word. Angela caught a quick look of approval between Kozik and Happy. Despite the way Hap had shut him down, they both understood where Juice had been going with the idea. The Sons would help pay for the cremator in exchange for access to it when they needed to...dispose of people. It wasn't a bad idea, and while didn't love the idea of Juice being a Son, she hoped that if it was brought to the table, he would be getting credit for it.

"Yes, we should not be talking about such morbid things at the dinner table," Graciela put in, a disapproving frown on her face. "It is not proper, and neither is a young lady working with the dead people."

Angela rolled her eyes. Here we go, she thought, clenching her hand around her wine glass. She wished she could throw it at her mother. "You knew what I was getting into when I left for school. Why you have such a problem with it now is ridiculous."

"I didn't think you'd go through with it! I thought you'd go over there, realize how crazy the job was, and find another path!"

"That's ridiculous! Why on earth would I do that?"

"Because you were young and naïve! You didn't know what you were getting into! I thought you would hate it and find something else! Something you'd be better suited for!"

Angela clenched her jaw, breathing in deeply and exhaling slowly. "I like what I do. It makes me happy. That should be enough for you."

"How are you ever going to find a man when all you do is touch dead people all day?" Graciela huffed, shaking her head in disgust.

"Whatever, Ma. I've never had a problem finding a guy before," she stated on a smirk. She caught Juice's grimace and felt a little bad about it, but this was a fight she was tired of having with her mother.

"Angela Ines, no me hables así! I am your mother and I want what's best for you! Y no es eso!" (Don't talk to me like that...and it's not that)

"Cool! So, I um...I have a good prospecting story!" Juice interjected before Angela could say anything else. The table was silent, all of them shocked by his interruption, so he continued, "The other night we had this big blow out party..."

Angela listened in awe as Juice launched into a story about how he'd been trying to clean up the vomit in the bathroom and the second he turned around to clean the other side, someone had dirtied it again, so he felt as though he was in this constant cycle of vomit. Angela had a feeling he was exaggerating a bit, but it got everyone at the table laughing and successfully diffused the tension. She discreetly set her hand on his thigh. Without breaking his stride or even looking at her, he put his hand on hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Her heart did a little flip flop. God, she loved this man in a way that felt different from the simple love she had with Raj and the chaotic love she had with Esai. This love felt deeper, stronger. She was going to hold onto it for as long as she could.

Elena watched Angela and Juice interact as they cleaned the kitchen, thankful that Kozik and Happy had left already as it seemed to relax them a bit. To the untrained eye, nothing had changed between the two, but she knew better than that. They'd been making eyes at each other all night, sharing innocent touches as they passed. Elena had even caught him leaning over to kiss Angela's cheek as she stirred the pot on to stove, his hands on her hips as though that's where they were meant to be. Not to mention the way he'd come to her aid in changing the subject to stop Graciela and Angela from fighting. The move had been clumsy, of course, but it had worked. His silly little story had stopped the two women from a fight that would've gone on for hours since Hap and Kozik didn't care to intervene until the two were at each other's throats, and Graciela got even madder if she tried.

And the change she saw in her niece was remarkable! Since Angela had come home from New York, there'd been a weight on her shoulders, a darkness hovering over her head. That night, she seemed lighter, happier. There was no doubt in her mind that it had something to do with Juice, and Elena could not be more pleased. She'd loved Juice since the moment he'd set foot in her house and asked if he could help her clean the kitchen after he ate. He was kind and courteous, loving. A little lost boy in desperate need of a family to love him, and Elena had been more than happy to welcome him into hers. She already had Happy and her misfit Sons, Kozik and Quinn. There was always room for one more.

She felt Graciela approach and took a step back, blocking her way. "Unless you are going to apologize, you stay out," she told her younger sister.

Graciela scowled at her, crossing her arms over her chest. It was the same scowl Angela had inherited, though Graciela wore it more often. "I have nothing to apologize for. I was telling her how I felt. I want her to be happy, to have a family. She can't do that if she's always inside with los muertos." (The dead)

"Oh no? Look," she said, nodding towards the kitchen where Juice and Angela were laughing together. "Does that look familiar to you?"

She narrowed her eyes for a minute, watching the two interact. "They're washing plates. So what?"

"Look at the way he looks at her," Elena encouraged with a knowing smile. "You don't recognize that? Because I do. I remember."

Graciela's scowl faded, though the lines were still apparent in her face. Wrinkles from years of scowling and frowning after she lost her husband. Her dark eyes warmed slightly, a sad smile on her face. "He loves her. I already knew that."

"And she loves him," Elena agreed on a nod. "You used to look at Vic like that. Remember?"

"Mmm," she hummed noncommittally. She brought her hand up to the chain around her neck from which her wedding rings hung. "But they're not together."

"Don't be so sure, Graci. Something has changed there."

Graciela studied them a bit longer before she sighed."Odio que la conoces mejor que mi," she said on a frown. (I hate that you know her better than I do.)

"That's no one's fault but your own," Elena told her. She nodded towards Angela. "You should try. Just a little. It may take some time, pero she'll let you in. You'll see."

"I do try, but she always fights me. I just want what's best for her," she whispered fervently.

Elena frowned, shaking her head. "No offense, but you don't know what's best for her. That job that she has is rewarding for her. She helps people, which she loves, and she's good at helping people. Not unlike her mother."

Graciela smirked, sighing softly. "Maybe I'll be easier on her. I mean, Juancito seems to like her despite it."

"Of course he does. You know better than I do how strong love can be. I doubt he even thought twice about her job," she said with a fond smile. It was subtle hint at Graciela's relationship with Victor. The two had been together since they'd first met in high school and had held onto that love without ever wavering. Graciela had been all but excommunicated from their family because of it. Their mother and father had hated Victor. Said he was nothing but a poor mechanic. Beneath them. They were worried he would squash her dream of becoming a nurse, but he'd proved them wrong. He'd done everything he could to help her achieve that dream. Had put his all into making money to support his family while she studied. Once they had Angela, he'd taken less hours at the garage to be with her so Graciela could work. Everything he'd done was to support Graciela's dream and their family. "You have to admit, Vic would be proud of her, and he'd love Juan."

"He wouldn't like that he was a part of that stupid gang, pero I think they'd get along very well. They'd make each other laugh," she agreed before sighing heavily, her eyes going a little misty. She wiped at them before shaking her head. "Enough of this. I'm going to bed."

Elena knew she'd gone a little too far. Pushed Graciela to reminisce in a way that her sister hated. It was what made her turn hard and cold towards her daughter after Vic had died. She'd retreated in on herself not wanting any reminders of her husband. Unfortunately, her daughter was a living, breathing reminder of Vic with his smile and spirit. After his death, Graciela had a hard time just being around her daughter because of the similarities. Angela had never understood why, and Elena had a sneaking suspicion she thought her own mother hated her. The two needed to have some kind of talk, but every time either of them tried, it ended up in a fight. Elena was tired of pushing them to try. She sighed, noting the sadness in her sister's eyes as she reached for the half full wine bottle on the table, no doubt to use it to drown her sorrows. "Don't drink too much, Graciela. You've got work tomorrow."

Graciela nodded, filling her wine glass practically to the brim and tucking the rest of the bottle under her arm. "I won't. Say goodnight for me."

She watched her little sister go with a frown on her face. Graciela had been mourning the loss of her husband for over twenty years and some days the wounds were just a fresh as if they'd happened only the day before. Sighing herself, she took a step into the kitchen. "Juancito," she started, smiling to herself when he jumped a bit in surprise. "How about you go outside? Take a break. Let me talk to my niece. I'll help her finish up."

Juice glanced at Angela who nodded her head quickly. He set down the dishrag in his hands and headed out of the kitchen but not before stopping to kiss to Elena's cheek. "Thanks for dinner, Lena," he said, then disappeared into the backyard.

Elena waited until she heard the door close behind him before approaching Angela. "When did you two get together then?" she asked, taking the last dish from her and drying it. Angela opened her mouth to protest, but she quickly shut her down. "Don't lie to me, mija. You're not good at it. I have eyes. You two are not good at hiding it like you think you are."

"It's only been one night," she admitted with a blush.

"That's all it takes," she said on a laugh. "You don't know how happy it makes me to see you together. El te quiere. I know it. I can see it. And you love him too." (He loves you)

"He's a good guy," she replied, not acknowledging it but not denying it either. "It's...so weird, Tia. He's my best friend and now there's been this colossal shift, and it's like I'm learning all these little things about him that I didn't know before."

She laughed again, thankful she had chosen to open up to her. "Oh yeah? Like what?"

Angela's blush deepened, as she dried off her hands. "He's...really affectionate. All these little touches and kisses and its kind of like he just...can't help it? With E, when he was acting like that it was because he wanted something more, but it doesn't feel that way with Juice. It's...really nice."

"Because he loves you. That's the best way he knows how to show it. We both know he's not great with words."

"He's actually not bad with words either. He's a lot smarter than people give him credit for," she defended on a frown.

Elena smiled at her, patting her cheek lovingly. "I know, mija. That's why you two are going to work," she said, kissing her cheek before pushing her out of the kitchen. "Go. Sit with him."

"Tia, we're not...we don't really want to tell anyone just yet," she said, twisting her ring around her finger. A nervous habit she'd had since she was young. "Koz was tryin' to get us to slip up because he's got some bet going with Hap, and I hate when he gets proven right."

"So that's why he wanted a family dinner. Ese metiche," he said on a scowl. "Well, he's not here now, and I don't want him to be right either. So you go. Enjoy some peace now while you can." (That busybody)

Angela smiled at her, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Thanks, Tia. At least someone supports me. Love you."

Elena stopped her before she could go far. She knew she'd been referring to her mother and felt the need to correct her. "Angelita, you know how much your mother loves you, right? She really does want what's best for you."

She hesitated a bit before she nodded begrudgingly. "Yeah, I know," she said, though it didn't sound entirely truthful. "I love her too."

"Good. Now go. Have fun. Give him a kiss for me."

Angela rolled her eyes but walked out anyway. Elena watched as she approached Juice slowly before sitting down across his lap. Juice's arm moved around her waist, his head tilting back to look up at her. They sat there talking for a bit before she leaned in and gave him a sweet kiss. Elena's heart warmed at the sight; her little girl was finally happy.

Juice was staring at the stars, trying to find the constellations Angela had pointed out so many times before. It was a little overcast, though, making it hard to see them. He heard the grass crunch beneath Angela's feet as she walked towards him and smiled to himself. "Hey baby," he greeted as she approached, looking up at her and leaning back in his chair. To his surprise, she sat on his lap, shifting a bit so she was a little sideways and their eyes could meet. The same way she'd sat in Raj's lap when they'd been together over Christmas, the same position he'd dreamed of being in with her so many times. He moved his arm around her back, the other draping over her thighs. "Your aunt go to bed?"

"No," she said with a little smile. "But she knows about us already. Lady doesn't miss a thing."

He chuckled, not at all surprised by Elena figuring it out. Once Happy and Kozik had left, they hadn't exactly been discreet. " 'course she figured it out."

"Yeah," she said on a laugh. Her hand cupped the side of his cheek, thumb brushing over it softly. He closed his eyes at the feel of it, leaning into her touch and turning his face to kiss the heel of her palm. "Thank you for interrupting today. You didn't have to do that."

He opened his eyes, feeling his stomach clench at the sadness in her dark eyes. "I did. Wasn't going to let her tear you down like that. 'specially when it was all bullshit. Thinkin' someone wouldn't want you because of your job is fuckin' ridiculous."

"Just glad it was this fight and not the 'when I was your age, I was married with a baby on the way' one," she said, rolling her eyes. Juice let his mind wander at the suggestion. Marrying Angela. Having a baby with her. A beautiful baby. Maybe with her eyes and his smile. He could see it. Loved the idea of it. He'd always dreamed about being with her, but he'd never considered what a future with her would look like. He'd never thought they'd get that far. Her voice brought him back to the present. "Juice?"

"Yeah. Can't wait to hear that one," he managed to get out awkwardly. "I got your back, though. Always."

Angela smiled at him, leaning in to kiss him quickly. "Thanks, goof."

He nodded, trailing his fingers up and down her jean clad thigh. They both stared up at the cloudy sky together. "Sucks we can't see the stars."

"Some days it's kinda nice not to. Makes you appreciate it more when you can," she explained, looking up at the sky. "Remember all those nights on the roof in New York? Smokin' weed and pretending we could see the stars when really we couldn't see shit?"

"Mmm," he hummed, smirking to himself. "I'd point out the buildings to you instead. Make up random-ass names for them."

Angela laughed, and he felt the vibrations of it in his chest. "That's right! Skyscrapius Totalis! Still my favorite. Mix of Harry Potter and architecture."

He nodded, chuckling a bit. "Loved those nights."

"Me too," she said on a wistful sigh. Her fingernails dragged over the nape of his neck in a way in a way that felt soothing and familiar. He leaned back into her touch, closing his eyes and sighing contently. He must've fallen asleep because her soft chuckle woke him up. "Tired, goofy?"

"Nah. Just feels good, baby. It all feels good. Feels right." He opened his eyes to look up at her, a little unsure of what he'd just said. She'd told him it felt right the night they'd kissed, but it was something he'd never told her. Had he stepped too far? "Right?"

The look in her eyes gave him the warmest feeling. He felt like he could just melt into her. Angela nodded, kissing him softly. "Yeah, goofy."

The sound of the back door opening pulled them away from each other. Juice looked over his shoulder to see Elena heading towards them. Her dark eyes were warm as she looked them over. "I'm going to bed," she said, placing her hand on Angela's head, stroking over her hair. "Will you be staying here tonight? Should I prepare the couch?"

She rolled her eyes at Elena's old school antics. "No, Tia," she said, slowly untangling herself from him and getting to her feet. "We'll go home where we still sleep in separate rooms. Don't worry."

Elena looked pleased with her answer. Juice got up with a groan. "Yeah," he agreed, moving an arm around Elena's shoulders. "We're takin' things slow."

"Good. Very good. I like to hear that," she said, patting his back lovingly. She looked up at him, and all of a sudden her eyes had gone just a little hard and threatening, not unlike Happy's. "You know I love you, Juancito. Please be good to her. Don't disappoint me."

Juice grimaced, dropping his arm from her shoulders as Angela scoffed in response. He'd thought Elena would threaten him, but in all honesty, hearing she'd be disappointed in him was much worse than any threat of bodily harm. Elena had given him a home, taken care of him, and shown him the kind of motherly love he wasn't used to but desperately craved. He didn't want to disappoint her, ever. "I won't, Lena. Promise you that."

"And you be good to him, Angelita," Elena said waving a finger in her face. "He's a good boy. You take care of him."

Angela smiled and nodded, kissing Elena's cheek. "Of course, Tia," she assured her, slipping an arm around his waist and leaning into his side. "I'll take good care of him."

Elena seemed pleased with both of their answers. She grinned widely, putting one hand on his cheek and one on hers. "Good night, ninos," she said, gently patting their cheeks. "Lock the door behind you when you leave."

With that she kissed both of their cheeks and walked into the house. Angela let out a sigh of relief once she was gone. She moved to stand in front of him, sliding her arms around his waist and hugging him tightly "Wow. You got threatened by two Lowmans in one day and lived to tell the tale," she said tilting her head back to look up at him. "How's that feel?"

Juice was still surprised by how affectionate she was. He hadn't expected it from someone who was related to Happy especially since she'd never been so affectionate with Raj. Not in front of him at least. He loved it though. Craved her touch as much as she seemed to crave his. He kissed her nose, brushing a stray hair off her face. "Feels good. Means they approve for now. And I'm never gonna hurt you, ever, so it's not like I really gotta worry about it anyway."

Her responding smile could've lit up a dark room. She kissed him sweetly, messing with the button of his cut pocket again. "And people say you're not good with words."

More fluff and stuff, but it's leading to somewhere, I swear!
Let me know what you think!
💙