Hate That I Love You

26

Leila

"That's exactly what the fuck he gets." Nia taunted as we saw Romeo's date throw a drink in his face. I guess it was well deserved. Especially, after all he put my best friend through. "Aha! Karma's a bitch!"

"Nia."

"Right, right. I forgot." She woosahed. "Keep it cute."

"Exactly." I felt my stomach growl. "Ugh, I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat."

"Girl, I don't eat finger food."

"Come oooon." I hear her suck her teeth behind me as we made our way to the food table. There was a plethora of different kinds of Italian appetizers and meals. My mouth was beginning to water.

"Okay, I'll admit. This looks really good." We grabbed a plastic plate and went on for the kill. I couldn't help myself when I saw the bruschetta on toasted bread. Ughhh, it's one of my favorites. Then there was the flat bread mini pizzas, antipasto skewers, marinated mushrooms, stuffed shells, calzones, Shrimp Fra Diavolo, lasagna with ricotta, fettuccine Alfredo, mussels marinara, and many more. I could go on and on. "Italians really love them some tomato sauce."

"That's not the only thing they love." I turned as soon as I heard a familiar, country voice.

"Reneé! What's up, girl?" Nia and I embraced her with the upmost affection.

"I was just gonna ask y'all the same. Why the fuck didn't y'all call me for girls night at Playboy?" She folded her arms and rolled her neck.

"We did. You didn't answer, so I called Apollo. He said y'all were busy."

She had to think back a bit and started to giggle. "Oh yeah, my bad. You know how it is."

"Oooouu, bitch. So you and Apollo are really a thing?" Nia asks.

"Girl, that's my man, my man, my maaaan. We've been hitting it off since the wedding."

"Awwwe, I know that's right. It's been that long?"

"Ugh, girl, yes. Apollo is so sweet. He's such a gentleman and he loves to make me laugh."

"We're talkin about the same Apollo here?"

"Lei, chill on my man. Okay!"

"Okay, okay. You got it. I'm just a little... thrown off."

"Whyyy?"

"Because we know how the Romano men move. They ain't nothing but a bunch of whores. Well, except Domenico." Nia annoyingly stated.

"That's not what I was gonna say, Nia."

"Hey, that's how I feel." I rolled my eyes to her ignorance.

"Well, I don't feel like that with Apollo. He always makes time for me, he has my back, he spoils me. Most of all, he just listens. No amount of money in the world could beat that." That warms my heart knowing Renee has found true love with Apollo. I'm still tryna wrap my head around this. I remember Apollo was always the one to say that he would never settle down. Now my baby's growing up. I don't like thiiis, but I love it. "I even grew such a close bound with Matteo. I adore that little boy despite his no good mama." Renee rolls her eyes.

I almost forgot about that bitch!! What was her name again? Nova? Nina? Fuck! Naomi!! I haven't seen that tramp since the day she almost met her maker. Oooh, don't take me back, cause I'll just get pissed off all over again. "Fuck that bitch."

"Period."

"Damn, Lei! That's a lot of food you got on your plate. That shit can feed a whole farm." Reneé joked.