Adrianna’s lips are pink and swollen, her breath unsteady, her eyes wide and soft and full of things I want to spend the rest of my life deciphering.
Before I can say a word, Bella blurts out, way too loudly, “Okay, you two REALLY need to get a room.”
Adrianna jerks back from me like she’s been electrocuted.
Her hands drop.
Her face floods scarlet.
“O–oh my God, Bella!”she sputters.“No!We—we were just—what?No!We aren’t—we didn’t?—”
She’s flailing.
Adrianna Bosco, queen of poise under pressure, is verbally imploding.
It’s adorable.
And sexy.
And goddamn irresistible.
I can’t help grinning.
Mrs.Bosco just pats Bella’s shoulder, beaming like she’s at a royal wedding and also maybe like she predicted this whole thing back in 2010.
I bite back a laugh and step in before Adrianna combusts entirely.
“Alright,” I say smoothly, “why don’t I take everyone out for a big celebratory meal?Anything you want.Steakhouse, sushi, buffet—my treat.We can?—”
“No,” Mrs.Bosco interrupts with a firm wave of her hand.“Absolutely not.”
I blink.“No?”
She folds her arms.“Nathan, sweetheart, you two just got MARRIED.You don’t need to entertain us.You need time.Alone.”
Adrianna makes a noise that sounds like a dying bird.
“MOM!”
“What?”Mrs.Bosco says, completely unbothered.“You’re married.This is normal.Healthy!Honestly, it’s overdue?—”
“MOM.”
Bella snorts.“Yeah, Aunt Ad, it is your wedding night.Ooh la la!”
Adrianna covers her face with both hands.
“I cannot do this.I cannot?—”
I slide my arm around her waist.
Not sorry.
Not even pretending to be sorry.
“Come on, Ad,” I murmur against her ear, low enough just for her.“Let’s have a little fun.”
She goes stiff.
