“It’s not my fault everyone is as in love with us as we are with each other,” Enzo beamed, slipping his hands in the pockets of his white chinos. He turned, lighting up more as Dom strolled over. I couldn’t help but smile at how perfectly they complemented each other. I really was good at this match-making thing.
Dom wrapped his arm around Enzo and dropped a kiss on his lips before turning to me and pulling me against his other side. I let myself sink into the warmth of his embrace, my brain finally starting to slow down.
“Did Finny go rest?” Concern flitted across his face. He really did look like he could be Finn’s younger brother by years.
“I helped him with his medication and tucked him into the downstairs guest room,” I confirmed, trying not to think about how domestic it sounded. “I’m sorry we both missed the toast.” Dom shrugged it off easily.
“Wait,” Enzo pressed his hand against Dom’s chest and turned to me, his eyes sharpening as he connected the dots. “You’ve never even met Finn, how did you know what he looked like?”
“Darling, he’s the only person at this party who looks more like me than you do,” Dom teased lightly, pressing his lips to Enzo’s cheek.
It wasn’t like me to fangirl over anyone, and I had been the only person to treat Dom as a working professional rather than a celebrity as we collaborated on the most successful project my company had ever produced. Doing so had earned me all his trust and a near instant friend. In turn, I felt safe and accepted whenever I was with Dom. The fact that he’d later met and fallen in love with my baby brother was a bonus.
“He said he’d heard Alex was a tight ass and only showed up to boss everyone around.”
“Well, I don’t know where he would have got that idea,” Enzo gave me a shit-eating grin. “You’re not bossy at all.”
“Is that so?” I put my hands on my hips and feigned annoyance, smiling despite my best efforts. “I could have just as easily said no when you called and asked for help. And wherewould we be if I let you plan this party yourself? Eating Ritz with Easy Cheese and drinking watered down Kool-Aid with vodka.”
Enzo pouted and turned to Dom who was watching our performance with delight. “Babe, Alex is being mean to me. Make her stop.” Enzo snuggled against Dom and gave his best puppy dog eyes. Dom laughed before reaching and pulling me to his side again.
“Come now, Enz,” he grinned, amber eyes sparkling with mirth. “You know if forced, I’ll always take the side of Alexandra the Great.”
“It’s just as well, I suppose,” Enzo sighed, continuing his performance by running his finger down Dom’s silk shirt and pouting. “Who else is going to make sure we have the wedding of the century?”
“Or at least this decade so far,” I rolled my eyes in easy affection. Trust Enzo to be more dramatic than his movie star fiancé.
“You take that back!” Enzo gasped, gripping his chains in faux shock. Dom chuckled between us before ending the back and forth.
“You’re staying the night with us, aren’t you, Alex?” he smiled down at me and gave an extra squeeze. “In fact, could you stay a couple of extra days? We want to take you to dinner tomorrow.”
“Please?” Enzo dropped his act and reached over to take my hand in both of his, gripping tightly. “Otherwise, we won’t see you again until we’re back at Papa and Joan’s for the family party.” My heart swelled with affection, and I felt the back of my eyes prick. Damn these men for loving me so fiercely.
“My things are at the hotel,” I was already cataloging every single item I’d carefully packed and exactly where I’d left each one, the disruption to my routine sending little sparks of anxiety through my chest even though I knew it was ridiculous. They were my family. I shouldn’t feel this way.
“I can send Paulie to go get your things,” Dom shrugged, pulling his hand from around me and slipping it in his pocket. “If you’re worried about him snooping, you can go with him.”
“I’m not worried.” I eyed him, knowing he knew better. My control issues weren’t entirely subtle. “But I would need to change my flightand I don’t have an extra change of clothes to stay longer.”
“Paulie can call the airline,” Dom countered my next excuse. “He’s very practiced at that sort of thing. And I’m sure there are a few outfits and a bathing suit or three in your guest room. Since you put Finn in there, I’ll have Camila pull them in the morning. You can take one of the extra rooms upstairs.”
Enzo turned his puppy dog eyes on me as I considered, mentally rearranging my schedule for the next two days automatically. Despite being early April, it was already sunny and warm enough in LA to lounge by the pool.
“Why would I stay here if you’re both going to spend the rest of the night canoodling.” I was grasping at straws, and we all knew it. I hadn’t seen either of them in over a month and even though we’d probably all go straight to bed, being under the same roof felt comforting. I added, “as you should do after your engagement party.”
“What if we promise to stay and cuddle you until you fall asleep?” Enzo offered. “Before we run off to canoodle?”
“Enz, that’s weird,” I wrinkled my nose, though I was touched by the offer. “I’m an adult and I really like sleeping alone at night.” It was a tiny lie, but I needed space to decompress. It’s why I’d booked a hotel in the first place, expecting the party to last until the wee hours of the morning. I was surprised when Dom suggested kicking everyone out shortly after midnight. Dom snorted and I shot him a look.
“Can I at least go with you to the hotel?” Enzo asked.
“Yes, I’ll stay and yes, you can come,” I relented. Enzo squealed and threw his arms around my neck, and I laughed despite myself.
“I’ll let Camila know you’ll be here for breakfast in the morning.” Dom pulled out his phone.
“One condition,” I leveled a look at Dom as Enzo let go, my heart rate picking up. “You are not to tell Finn I’m Alex. I’m Sasha.” It was the name the rest of my family called me, so it wasn’t too strange.
“Have it your way, Sasha,” Dom smiled.
