Page 24

Chapter Twenty-Two

Roman

I glance down at my watch. It’s almost time to leave for dinner at Ma’s. I’m sitting in a meeting with Eva and Drew that’s just wrapping up.

Drew shakes my hand and waves at Eva, then walks out of the conference room.

The moment he’s gone, I look over at Eva and smile. “You look fucking insane in that dress.”

She laughs as she closes her laptop. “You say that every time you see me.”

I lean back in my chair with a big grin. “I mean it every time I see you.”

Her eyes roll—something she does often to me.

Standing up from my chair, I place my hands on the table and move forward until I get right in her face. “Don’t roll those eyes at me, Eva. You’ll force me to punish you. Something I’ve been wanting to do for weeks.”

I watch her throat move as she swallows thickly.

“Punish me.”

I level her with a stare—cool, unblinking, and sharp enough to cut. “Eva, be careful.”

“I’m serious. Punish me. Tonight.”

“I’m going to Ma’s house for dinner tonight.”

Thank goodness. It will give me the space I need to make sure I don’t do something stupid, like indulge in that fantasy with my best friend’s sister. Then I see the look of disappointment on her face, realizing she also might be jealous that I get to eat Ma’s cooking tonight.

She’s become obsessed, and she waits for the leftovers.

“You can come with me.” The words are out there. I can’t take them back. I should take them back. It’s stupid.

But at the same time, is it? It’s just food. Ma knows she looks forward to the leftovers. Why not just cut out the middleman?

Surprise is written all over her face. “You want me to come to your mother’s house? What will she think? Does she know about … us?”

“No, she doesn’t know we’re sleeping together. But she knows you’re Walker’s sister and that we’re working closely on this renovation. She knows you live in my building. I don’t think she’ll think much of it. You don’t have to come if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“No,” she responds quickly, “I don’t feel uncomfortable. I just wasn’t sure what she would think, but it makes sense now that you say it like that.”

“Well then, I guess you’re about to meet my family. We’d better get going. Ma hates it when I’m late.”

We walk out of the conference room, grab our things, and ride the elevator down to the parking garage, where my car is. I always drive to work on Tuesdays so I can hop in my car and go straight to dinner.

The moment we get in the car, my mind starts to race. What the hell am I thinking? Inviting her to Tuesday dinner with everyone there? It’s like I’m asking for word to spread and to get caught.

Wait a minute. Is this my subconscious trying to get us caught? Do I want this to be real so bad that I’m willing to jeopardize my friendship?

My hands tighten on the steering wheel—knuckles pale against the black leather.

It felt right in the moment, natural even. I thought it would be casual—no big deal.

How could I have possibly thought that?

Eva is quiet in the passenger seat, showing obvious signs of being nervous. Her discomfort becomes my new focus. I don’t like thinking I put her into a situation that she isn’t ready for.

I reach across the seat and grab her hand and link our fingers together. “I’m glad you’re coming,” I tell her.

“Are you?” she asks softly. “I might not be as comfortable with this as I thought.”

“Hey, we are adults. We are allowed to sleep together and be in each other’s life while we do it. It’s no one else’s business but ours. Right?”

“Right.” She smiles. “We are adults. We can do what we want.”

I should distract her. What can we talk about that will ease her mind? Then it hits me. I know exactly what will take her mind off everything.

A smirk threatens to take over my face. “Now that the New York renovation is underway and going smoothly, I’m thinking it’s time to move on to the next hotel. Maybe get some initial designs started.”

“Yeah? Have you officially decided which hotel you want to renovate next?”

“I have.” I steal a glance over at her. “I would like to do Paris. I think that means you and I are due for a trip so you can check it out.”

Her eyes get wide, and her back straightens. “Are you freaking serious? When are we going?”

Honestly, I was thinking in a month, but seeing her reaction makes me want to go tomorrow. “How does next week sound?”

“Um, I think I can rearrange any meetings I might have if my boss tells me I need to be in Paris next week!”

The thought of being in Paris with Eva without anyone there to see us. I can take her out to dinner and kiss her. There will be no one we could possibly run into.

I’m immediately excited about the idea. It changes the energy for the rest of the ride.

When we get to Ma’s, I go to reach for her hand before we walk in, then pull back. Walking inside hand in hand is a good way to get our cover blown.

The moment we walk into the kitchen, silence falls upon the room. Izzy and Aria look between Eva and me, then at each other and smile.

Ma’s eyes light up brighter than the sun. “Oh my. I didn’t realize we were going to have company. Hi, dear.”

“Everyone, this is Eva. Walker’s sister and my designer.”

Luca, who was pouring wine when we walked in, comes up to us and hands Eva a glass. “Hi, Eva. I’m sure you’re going to need this.”

“Do I get one?” I ask.

“Nah, I’d much prefer to see this go down with you tense as hell.”

Julian cracks up from the other side of the island. “Nice to meet you, Eva. I’m Julian. Roman’s much better-looking brother, who happens to be single.”

Eva chuckles next to me. “Nice to meet you, Julian.”

“Eva, this is Luca. Then we have Isabella and Aria. Most importantly, this is my mother, Chiara.”

Ma nearly pushes Luca over to get to Eva and wraps her up in a huge hug. “It’s so lovely to meet you, Eva.”

Yeah, this was a bad idea. Ma is going to be planning our wedding by the end of the evening.

I should’ve known I couldn’t dangle hope in front of her and not expect her to try to snatch it up.

“Thank you so much for sending all those leftovers over the weeks. You’re truly a phenomenal cook.”

Ma smiles brightly at me. “I’m just happy Roman has someone to bring them to.”

Luca and Julian giggle like a bunch of teenagers. They’re loving this.

“Eva,” Aria calls from across the room, “why don’t you come over here and help me with the salad? I might need some time to explain my brothers to you.”

Eva bites her lip and looks up at me. I nod my head for her to go ahead without me. It’ll give me a chance to talk some sense into the guys.

Ma grabs my cheeks and gives me a big kiss on one of them. “She’s beautiful. You found a wonderful lady.”

“Ma,” I warn softly, “we’re just friends.”

She walks away like she didn’t hear what I just said. I know she heard me.

Julian and Luca can barely contain themselves.

“You two”—I point aggressively— “family room … now!”

We barely cross the threshold before I’m whacking them on the back of the head like Ma does when she’s pissed.

“Ow!” Julian whines. “I didn’t even do anything.”

“Sit your asses down now,” I demand.

Once they sit, I stand directly in front of them. My muscles feel tense as I think about Eva in the kitchen with my sisters and Ma. They’d better not be giving her the third degree.

“Listen up. This is how it’s going to go tonight. You are going to be polite. You are going to make her feel welcome.” I study their faces to make sure they’re understanding how serious I am. “And you are not going to ask questions about the nature of our relationship. We are friends. That’s it.”

Julian raises his hand into the air. “Can I speak?”

I roll my eyes. “This isn’t first grade. Why are you raising your hand?”

“Excuse me. You’re the one talking to us like we’re a bunch of first graders. Now, I’m all for keeping things under wraps and going along with whatever you want, but don’t insult my intelligence and tell me you and that woman over there are just friends.”

Luca, normally the one I can rely on, nods his head. “I agree with him.”

I study their faces as I debate what my next move should be. I could deny it, but it’s clear they know something is up.

“Fine.” I throw my hands up in the air. “We’re sleeping together.”

I brace myself for the gloating, but it never comes. Instead, they seem curious.

“How long have you been sleeping together?” Luca asks.

“A couple of months.” I do the math, realizing it’s now the end of July.

How is that even possible? Has it been that long?

“And this is Walker’s sister …” Julian states matter-of-factly. “His sister who you’ve been sleeping with for months and are now bringing to a family dinner.”

“Don’t make me say it. Yes, it’s not exactly just sleeping together at this point. At least … shit, I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it. Can you please just keep it casual tonight?”

Luca stands and claps my back. “We’ve got you, brother. Now let’s go save her from Ma.”

I nod my head and follow him into the kitchen. Something happens when I see Eva throw her head back and laugh at something Aria said. She replies animatedly, looking completely at ease with my sisters.

Isabella covers her mouth with her hand and chuckles. The odd discomfort in my chest prompts me to rub my hand over it as I watch. An odd feeling comes over me, as if there’s not enough oxygen in the room.

Her eyes find mine and light up. In an instant, it all disappears from my brain. I return her smile and offer her a wink. Then watch her bite her lip and blush. Isabella and Aria look over their shoulders, then back at Eva and smirk at each other.

Ma calls us over and I corner my sisters before we get to the table.

I whisper, “please, don’t get Ma’s hopes up. We’re just sleeping together.” The words feel like a lie as they fall from my lips. It’s like a part of me already knows that’s not true, whether I’m ready to admit it.

I move to the other side of the table and pull out a seat for Eva.

“Thank you,” she says as she takes a seat.