11| I do think my brother likes you.

At your absolute best,

you still won't be good enough

for the wrong person.

At your worst,

you'll still be worth it

to the right person.

Kathy's POV

After our tea party, Jasmine had to go pack for her sleepover. When she left the room, Anthony leaned down so I could climb his back. "Really?" I ask, surprised he's actually going to give me a tour while giving me a piggyback ride.

"Hop on Sunshine." He says, securing his hold around my thighs. I wrap my arms around his neck and rest my chin on top of his head.

"I've never been inside of a mansion," I say, excitedly looking around.

He chuckles and says, "Being a rich gang leader has its advantages."

I freeze, forgetting he was a gang leader. "You're not a part of Nefarious, right?" I ask, not sure if I should fear for my life. Calm down. He hasn't killed you.

"No." He says sternly. "They're one of the gangs fighting for our customers. A bunch of motherfuckers if you ask me." Relief floods through me.

"Why?" He asks curiously.

"Samuel is friends with them. They could have easily kidnapped and killed me if he asked." I answer.

Anthony stops walking and slightly turns his head to face me. "That won't happen, okay? I'm going to protect you."

I rest my head on his shoulder and murmur, "You're too nice."

"Only for you." He says, winking at me. I laugh, and he continues with the tour.

The doorbell rings, and Anthony starts walking toward the front door. "You can put me down," I say.

"No can do, Sunshine." He says, peeking through the window.

Jasmine comes running with a packed bag and says, "Love you guys, bye."

She unlocks the door, and Anthony asks, " You promise mom said you could spend the night?"

"Yes, before she left for her friend's wedding, she told you." She says.

"Oh ya..." He says, recalling the memory.

Before Jasmine leaves the porch, she turns and says, "Don't have too much fun without me."

"We won't," Anthony says, laughing.

"I was talking to Kathy." She says, ignoring his response.

I smile and say, "I will miss you, Jasmine."

"I left you some Oreos in case you have a tea party together." She says.

"You know I wouldn't share with Anthony," I say, pointing at him.

"I will drop you right now," Anthony whispers.

Jasmine doesn't hear and says, "Good. I'll see you tomorrow?"

I give her a small wave, and she walks away. "She obviously likes you." He mutters, closing the door.

"Everyone does," I say, not hearing a response back.

"I'm hungry. Wanna get McDonald's?" I ask.

"No way, I'll cook you some food. Their food sucks." He says, sounding disgusted.

I scoff and say, "We can't be friends anymore. Their food is amazing! Especially their fries. And their hot cakes are to die for!"

He rolls his eyes and says, "Whatever you say, Sunshine."

"Don't call me that," I say, unsure why he keeps calling me that.

"Why not?" He asks, smirking.

"I hate nicknames," I respond.

"Ok, Sunshine." He says, grinning.

I roll my eyes and stick out my tongue. He chuckles and places me down on a chair.

"I'm making spaghetti." He says, getting out the ingredients.

"Don't burn it." I tease.

He gives me an unamused expression and turns on the stove.

"Are you good at cooking? How did you learn to cook?" I randomly ask.

"My mom taught me how to cook." He says, smiling at the memory. "I'm not a bad chef. I think I can handle cooking pasta and sauce."

"We'll see," I say with a shrug.

"What's your favorite color?" He asks.

"Blue," I answer. "Favorite show?"

"The Flash." He responds. "Do you have a favorite movie?"

"Tangled!" I say, beaming. Best Disney movie.

He nervously chuckles and asks, "Do you have a Flynn Ryder in your life?"

"Nope! I haven't found a Flynn Ryder who can treat me like a queen." I say, shrugging. "But honestly, if someone were funny, cute, smart, and had a fun personality, I'd date them."

"Noted." He murmurs.

"What?" I ask, not hearing what he said.

"Nothing..." He says, concentrating on the food.

"Okay," I say, trying to think of another question.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

I wake up and see it's almost noon. Someone knocks on my door, and I quickly make myself look presentable.

I open the door and look down to see Jasmine. "Hey, I didn't know you were back already."

"I got back a few minutes ago. Come eat lunch with me!" She says.

"What's for lunch?" I ask when she starts dragging me down the stairs.

"I'm heating dinosaur nuggets." She says.

I smile at the thought of chicken nuggets, and she drags me to the kitchen. I sit on one of the stools, and she brings a plate full of them.

She puts the plate down on the counter but has a hard time climbing the stool. I reach down to pick her up and place her beside me. "Thanks." She says, grabbing a chicken nugget.

"You know what would be good with these? Some chips." She says, climbing back down.

"I'll be back." She says, dashing out of the kitchen. Damn, she can run. I wish I had that energy. I can still run. Ya, but you get tired easily. How hard is it to walk up the stairs? Shut the fuck up.

A few minutes later, I see Jasmine empty-handed. "What happened? I thought you were getting chips?" I ask.

"I was! But then I ate them all..." She sighs. "Sorry!" She says, pouting.

I laugh and say, "That's okay!"

"Don't tell Thony. I'm not supposed to hide food upstairs. He says it'll attract ants." She says, whispering.

At that moment, Anthony comes in and asks, "Don't tell Anthony what?"

"Kathy likes you!" Jasmine blurts out.

I immediately turn around and whisper, "Why would you say that? You just threw me under the bus!"

"Sorry! Every man for themselves!" She whispers, running away from me.

"I hope the ants eat you!" I yell back. I sigh and glance at Anthony. Ok, Kathy, don't make this weird.

"For the record, I don't like you like that..." I say.

He smirks and says, "I don't blame you. I'm irresistible. If there were another version of me, with these looks, I would probably date them."

I roll my eyes but then realize something. "Are you gay?" I ask.

"What, no!" He exclaims.

"I mean, there's nothing wrong with being gay," I say.

"I know, but I don't swing that way!" He says.

"Okay..." I say, not believing him.

"I'm not!" He says.

I laugh and say, "If you say so." Good, you can still date him! What the fuck? Why would you say that? Oh, come on, he's hot! That doesn't mean I want to date him! Soon... What? Soon what?

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Someone knocks on my door, and I say, "It's open." Jasmine walks in and gives me a bracelet.

"Wow, this is beautiful!" I say, examining the bracelet. I wish I had the skills and patience for this.

"Did you make this?" I ask her. She nods, and I say, "Thank you!"

"It's my apology gift for saying you like Thony... and for the chips." She says, embarrassed.

"You are forgiven!" I say, hugging her. Anthony appears at the door and tells Jasmine to get ready for bed.

When he is out of sight, Jasmine whispers, "I do think my brother likes you. He wouldn't let just a random person crash here. Even if you are searching for an apartment."

"What?" I ask, not sure if she's joking.

"I'm sure you two will figure it out." She says, patting my shoulder. I raise my eyebrow, and she walks away. Weird... Is she right? What? Nothing.

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