“It’s not what it looks like.”
“Daddy had a sleepover,” Tate tells them, throwing me right under the bus.
“I have a lot of those too.” Vinnie has the biggest freaking smirk.
“Hey,” I warn because the kid doesn’t need to know about the endless stream of women my brother has in his bed.
“We were watching a movie and fell asleep on the couch.”
“So.” Lucio slides onto a stool on the other side of the island. “You making enough for everyone?”
He’s letting the entire Tilly sleepover slide now, but I know as soon as we’re alone, he’s going to grill me.
“Maybe I better go.” Tilly fidgets next to me.
I glance over at her. “Stay.”
“Tilly has to stay.” Tate grabs Vinnie’s face. “She gives me cupcakes.”
Vinnie laughs. “A girl after my own heart.”
“Vinnie, why don’t you and Tate set the table?” I tell him before he has a chance to say something I know I’ll want to slap him for.
“Sure. Want to help me, baby girl?” he asks Tate before blowing a raspberry in the crook of her neck. She squeals and tips her head back, loving every minute of the way my brothers fawn over her.
“How’s the shop coming, Tilly? Did Angelo get everything done?” Lucio asks.
“He was a big help.” Tilly leans over the end of the counter, keeping a safe distance from me.
“I’m sure he was,” Vinnie mumbles and earns the evil eye from me.
“Good.” Lucio doesn’t say anything more.
“Why’s everyone here so early? It’s not even nine.” I ask while I take the pancakes off the griddle.
“We had to run to the restaurant supply store, and since your place is on the way back, I figured we’d stop and see how you were doing. Vinnie wanted to talk to you too.”
“About?” I glance at Vinnie because the only time he wants to see me is when he needs something.
“It can wait. I’ll talk to you at the bar,” Vinnie says before he turns his attention toward Tilly. “So, Tilly. Why cupcakes?”
“Why not?” she shoots back at him.
I laugh as I check the undersides of the second batch of pancakes, liking the way she isn’t a shy little mouse around my brothers.
“Fair enough.” Vinnie nods, placing the last plate on the table. “What’s the best one you make?”
“My double caramel pecan turtle cupcake. You should stop in and try it. I made a new batch yesterday.”
“I’m there,” he replies quickly. “It takes a lot of calories to maintain this body.”
I roll my eyes because he’s flexing, showing off his muscles, which are almost out of control.
“Your head’s looking smaller than usual,” Lucio tells him, saying exactly what I was thinking. “You get any bigger, and other things may start to shrink as well.”
I laugh and glance at Tilly. She’s laughing but covering her mouth, trying to hide her amusement.
“You can fluff off, brother,” Vinnie snaps.
