Chapter 16 #3
“All good things, I hope,” I replied, which earned me a laugh that sounded suspiciously like Alex’s.
“We’ll see,” her eyes crinkled at the corners.
“Carina, let go of the man,” Tony chided, though his grin suggested he was enjoying the show. “Your sisters will want their time with him.”
As if summoned by his words, three women materialized from the crowd, moving toward us in a flawless flanking maneuver. They shared Joan’s bone structure and exuded the energy of family who’d driven miles specifically to be the source of any future gossip about new additions.
“Oh my heavens,” the tallest one announced, her gaze bouncing between Dom and me like she was trying to solve a puzzle. “Which one is which? I can’t tell them apart!”
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes at her statement, though Alex’s soft pinch at my side helped.
“Margaret,” the shortest added dryly, “If you can’t tell them apart, you need to get your eyes checked.”
“I’m Dom,” my brother offered helpfully, “and this is Finn. We get that a lot.”
Enzo snorted.
“Twins!” The youngest-looking one clasped her hands together, practically vibrating. “How wonderful! And one of you is Sasha’s boyfriend?”
Alex’s grip on my hand tightened.
“That would be me,” I flashed a grin, extending my other hand toward Margaret first. “It’s a pleasure to meet more of her family.”
“Charmed, I’m sure,” Margaret replied as I shook the hands of the other two as well. “Tell us, Finn. What do you do for work?”
“Do you live around here?” Added another.
“Is it hard to have a famous brother?” The last one piled on.
“Ex-Navy pilot, in LA for the time-being, and not hard at all,” I answered smoothly, letting go of Alex’s hand and slipping my arm around her shoulders. “Though Dom probably thinks it’s hard having a non-famous brother.”
“So, your relationship is long distance?” The short one tutted. “Did you meet on one of those dating apps? Are you scamming Sasha?”
“Good grief, Aunt Betty,” Alex rolled her eyes, her grip tightening on my waist. “He’s not scamming me. We met through Dom and Enzo and we see each other every couple of weeks or so.”
“If you’re not scamming her, what are your intentions?” Margaret turned back to me, eyes squinting as she examined me. “Sasha’s not getting any younger, you know.”
“Oh my hell,” Alex groaned into her hand as Enzo snorted again.
“We’re just seeing where things go right now,” I shrugged. Alex looked up at me with soft eyes and I fixed her with a genuine smile as I repeated her line from weeks ago. “But I already can’t imagine my life without her.”
It wasn’t a lie. I couldn’t imagine my life without her.
“Sweetheart,” Alex smiled warmly. I leaned down to brush my lips across hers—just for show, I told myself.
But Alex deepened it, her mouth opening under mine, tongue teasing across my lower lip.
She pressed closer, soft curves molding against me as her fingers found the shorter hair at my nape.
The gentle tug sent heat straight down my spine.
A growl escaped my throat before I could stop it. Alex pulled back, pupils wide and dark, lips parted in surprise. My heart hammered against my ribs like I’d just pulled six Gs in a steep climb.
“Shit, Alex,” I murmured, my voice rougher than intended. Awareness crashed back—her aunts and parents, the party, the performance of the decade so far.
Color flooded her cheeks, and she pressed her forehead against my chest—the heat of her embarrassment radiating through her skin.
“Maybe you two should take a walk,” Enzo leaned over and whispered.
I glanced up at him and then at the rest of the family staring at us.
Joan’s face had gone completely serene, and I was sure she’d already named our five kids and two dogs.
I wrapped my arms more fully around Alex, shielding her from their scrutiny while her brain kicked into overdrive.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about,” Tony cleared his throat and laughed after a moment, moving to take the attention away. “They are in love! Shouldn’t they behave as novios do?”
“You tell ‘em Tony,” Dom muttered. “Tell these two idiots they’re in love.”
I shot him a warning glare. Enzo looked between us before jumping between everyone.
“Dom and I haven’t told you the best news yet!” He clapped his hands together before spreading his arms wide. “We picked a venue!” The aunts, Joan, and Tony all swooped in to congratulate and barrage them with questions.
I moved backwards with Alex until we were safely out of the line of fire. She didn’t step away from me entirely—staying close enough that I could feel her heart hammering in her chest.
“I’m sorry,” fresh color stained her cheeks and she still wouldn’t meet my eyes fully.
“For what?” I laughed, trying to smooth over her embarrassment and maybe a little of my own. “For giving them one hell of a show?”
“Geeze, you two, get a room,” Jason appeared beside us, grinning and holding a glass bottle of Coke. “The kids might start asking questions.”
Alex groaned and buried her face in her hands. “How many of them saw that?”
“Relax, they’re all in the front yard playing some game that involves a lot of shrieking and most definitely arson,” Jason took a swig. “But Mom looked like she was about to start planning your baby shower and Aunt Margie possibly died and came back judging by the look on her face.”
“I’m going to die too,” Alex mumbled into her palms.
“Nah, you’re good. Graham tried to make some comment about ‘public displays’ but Tony shut him down,” Jason’s grin turned sharper. “Told him true love was beautiful and maybe he should try it sometime.”
I felt my own grin spread across my face. “I like your stepdad.”
“Papa’s the best. Unlike some people’s taste in boyfriends,” Jason shot a pointed look toward where Graham stood near the food table, gesticulating wildly to a captive audience of one very uninterested uncle.
Alex finally looked up from her hands, some of her natural spark returning. “Please tell me he’s not holding court about solar panels again.”
“Oh, he absolutely is. Uncle Jimmy looks like he’s contemplating homicide.” Jason’s eyes danced with mischief. “Should I go rescue him? Or should we let nature take its course?”
“Let Uncle Jimmy suffer,” Alex decided with the first real smile since we’d broken apart. “He voted for that solar panel ordinance anyway.”