Page 69 of Restless Hawke

Hopefully…

We make our way in and past the living room where most of the family gathers—chatting, playing with the babies, or arguing over board games laid out on the floor. Every single set of eyes follows us as we pass, but I don’t pause long enough for anyone to lay into her.

There will be plenty of time for that once we get to the table.

I usher her straight back to the kitchen, knowing if I don’t, Nana’s going to lose it. The old woman has already spent the half hour I’ve been here trying to milk any information she can get from me about Allegra, and since I know very little, I haven’t had much to offer her. Which only seems to intrigue Nana more.

Popping my head into the busiest room in the house on Sundays, I quickly scan the usual suspects. “Nana?”

The matriarch of the Hawkes peeks over her shoulder from her spot at the stove. Aunt Storm checks us out from where she slices bread at the counter to Nana’s left, as does Aunt Skye, who appears to be working on the tiramisu for dessert in the far corner.

Their gazes barely touch me, sweeping over Allegra with a keen interest that makes me wonder how anyone survives these dinners.

Nana turns toward us and wipes her hands on a kitchen towel. “Is this her?”

I roll my eyes. “No, it’s a random woman I found on the street.” Laughing at the annoyed look Nana throws at me, I urge Allegra forward. “Yes, Nana, this is Allegra. Allegra, this is my grandmother and my aunts, Storm and Skye.”

Before Allegra can even say hello to them, Nana steps over and pulls the unsuspecting woman into a hug that has her stiffening. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m so glad you could come.” She pulls back, motioning toward the dining room with the hand still clutching the towel. “You can take a seat. We’re almost ready.” Returning to whatever she’s handling on the stove, she calls over her shoulder, “Tell everyone.”

Allegra leans into me, dropping her voice low. “Do you all sit atonetable?”

I snort as I lead her to the dining room, waving everyone in from the living room directly across from us. Those who are elsewhere in the house or outside will just have to fend for themselves because I am not about to leave Allegra alone for one second with these vultures to start picking at her. “We do now…”

Her eyes widen as she takes in the massive custom-made table that seats up to thirty. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a table this big…or a room that could hold it, except in a restaurant, of course.”

I snort, remembering how small and tight this room was when I was growing up. How uncomfortable family meals became as more and more kids joined the Hawke ranks. “We had to put an addition on Nana’s house and also take the space from the kitchen where the breakfast nook once was. And this table was custom-built for her and the space.”

Allegra examines the polished wood, running a finger over its surface. “That doesn’t surprise me—it’s absolutely beautiful and doesn’t look like anything you could ever buy at a furniture store.”

“It fits everyone—for now. But as soon as Benjamin and Giovanni are old enough to require their own chairs and more great-grandchildren start appearing, we might have to figure out a kids’ table in the living room or something.”

A wispy look clouds her gray eyes, almost as if she’s on the verge of tears, but before I can ask her if she’s okay, everyone starts filing in. And I go on high alert, readying myself to defend the woman at my side.

I stand behind my seat and pull out the one next to me for Allegra.

She slides into it as I do mine. “Who normally sits here?”

“My brother.”

Her soft brow furrows. “Will he be mad that I took his spot?”

He has a lot of things to be mad at me about, but offering Allegra his usual chair isn’t one of them.

Isaac enters the room, Jack trailing after, leaning down to whisper something to Viviana. Giovanni must already be asleep in one of the bedrooms or the Pack ‘N Play in the living room.

They take in the seating arrangement, and Isaac smirks, giving me a knowing look as they settle one chair over from their typical spots.

I rest my hand on top of Allegra’s and squeeze it gently. “It’s fine. We switch up seats a lot, depending on who is here or who might bring a…friend.” Though that word seems all wrong for Allegra. “Trust me. Everyone is getting a kick out of you being here. That won’t be what stirs the pot.”

“What do you mean?”

Well, shit.

I opened the door to that one.

Should have kept my mouth fucking shut…

Tugging my hand away, I shift in my seat and pull my napkin from the holder beside my plate to set it on my lap. “I’ve never brought anyone to Sunday dinner before.”