“How dirty?”Mrs.Gallo asks.
“Dirty with a capital D.”Daphne laughs.
“Must be great to date a romance writer.”Lucio smirks.
Vinnie rubs the back of his neck because he’s seen the reality that is an author’s life.Romance or not, I’m a hot mess, locked away in my apartment and sometimes not smelling or looking my best.
“It’s different.”He slides his arm under the table and places his hand on top of mine.
“Maybe she can teach you about romance,” Angelo says as he crosses his arms, giving Vinnie a funny look.
I grab my wineglass with my free hand, gulping it down like I’ve been walking in the desert for days.
“I know all about romance, brother.”
“Fine.”Angelo sighs.“Maybe she can teach you about love.”
I choke and start coughing uncontrollably.Vinnie rubs my back, and the entire table goes silent.Although I’m gasping for air, at least no one’s talking about love, romance, or being a couple anymore.
“Are you okay, baby?”Vinnie asks with those big green eyes, looking so damn cute.
I nod and clear my throat, trying to wipe away the tears from my eyes.“I’m great.Never better,” I rasp.
“How’s training camp going?”Mr.Gallo asks like he’s reading my mind and throwing a Hail Mary my way.
“It’s great.”Vinnie’s hand hasn’t left my body.“I think I have it locked down.”
“Is the position the only thing you locked down?”Angelo shifts his eyes to me and then back to his brother.
Vinnie leans forward, eyes narrowed on Angelo.“I’ll have it all locked down soon.”
“What are we talking about?”Tilly asks as the cutest little girl I’ve ever seen climbs into her lap.
“Nothing,” Angelo says, smiling at his girl.
“Whatcha want, baby doll?”Tilly asks the little girl.
“That’s Angelo’s kid, Tate,” Vinnie whispers in my ear.
“I was wondering…” Tate pauses like the wheels are spinning in her head or she knows what she’s about to ask is something big enough that she needs to draw it out as long as possible.“If maybe after dinner…” She toys with the necklace around Tilly’s neck and looks at her with the biggest puppy-dog eyes I’ve ever seen.“…I can pick out two cupcakes for dessert.”
“Just one, Tate,” Angelo tells her.
Tate’s shoulders sag forward.“Please,” she begs Tilly like she didn’t even hear her father.
Tilly brushes a few strands of hair behind Tate’s ear.“Your daddy said one.”
Tate lets out a loud huff.“Fine, but I’m picking out the biggest one I can find.”
Tilly laughs.“Whatever you want, sugar.”
“Everyone, off their ass.The food’s ready,” Mrs.Gallo says with her back to us as she opens the oven door.
Vinnie leans over.“Her cooking sucks.Just be warned.Don’t take too much.”
I lift my eyebrows, figuring with all these kids, she was probably an excellent cook.None of them look like they’ve missed a meal a day in their entire life.
“Okay,” I whisper with my mouth so close to his, I could kiss him.
That’s the problem.
I haven’t wanted a man as badly as I want him in so long.That should be a great thing for someone who lives romance.But for a girl on a deadline, it’s the worst possible thing ever.
Instead of pecking away at the keyboard, I’m daydreaming about Vinnie and his big hands, not to mention the other parts of him that set my body on fire.
How in the hell did I let myself fall for a guy this hard and this fast when I’ve sworn off men?
It’s the Vinnie Gallo effect, and I am swept up in it.
