“I didn’t say that.” Sort of.
“Yes, you did. You’re nervous. I get that. Falling in love is hard. I get it. But my dad is a determined man. He’ll convince you.”
How did this conversation go so off the rails? “Hope, I don’t want you to get the wrong impression. This might not work out. Your father might think he loves me now, but he might change his mind.”
She laughs. Like full-on belly laughs in my face. “You’re funny. Dad doesn’t change his mind. When he decides something, he makes it happen by sheer force of will.”
What happens when he realizes the sight of me disgusts him? My hip starts to itch. Do I have time for a shower?
“This was a good talk.” Hope pops up. “Dress comfortably for the suite. Oh, and don’t wear Gabe’s jersey. Dad is still a bit sensitive about that.”
That girl didn’t listen to a word I said.
This is going to end badly. So badly…
***
Has Max even watched a second of the game? Every time I turn my head, he’s staring at me, not the field. “You know, men are supposed to be the ones who enjoy football.”
“I like football.”
“Could have fooled me. I seem to be the only one enjoying the game.” Though I have to say, watching football is better with Max’s arm around my shoulder.
“This is the best game I’ve ever been to. And I played football for quite a few years.”
What? “You played football?”
“All through high school. I first saw my mom at a game. They hold some really great memories for me. And this is one I’ll never forget.”
There’s no way I’m going to let him know how much those words touch me. “Even if your cousin might lose.”
Max shrugs. “Gabe isn’t going to lose, but that doesn’t matter. I won’t ever forget our first date.”
“Do you always bring your whole family on your first dates?” I tease, but it’s kind of cute that we’re completely surrounded by his family. There are so many people that the suites all around ours contain his family too.
“Seems perfect to me.” He pulls me in closer with the arm that he draped over my shoulders. “What do you think? Should I have brought you roses and taken you to a fancy restaurant?”
“Is that a serious question?”
“It could be. Would you have preferred to have our first date alone with me at a fancy restaurant?”
Why not tell him the truth? “No. When I was little, I used to dream that I was part of a huge family. That we’d have family dinners every Sunday and do all the big things together as a family. If you could have asked eight-year-old me what shewould have thought of as the best date in the world, she would have said this right here.”
“And what about adult you?” He leans closer.
“She is just as intoxicated by the idea.” I stare into his eyes.
“If you don’t kiss her, I’m going to come over and whap you upside the head.” Emilia grins at the two of us.
“I was planning on it, Nonna.” Max grins at me.
“Less thought, more action.”
Hope got her precocious side from her grandmother, it appears. “I think you’d better kiss me.”
“Well, if I must.”
Smiling lips land on mine. How does that man make something so sexy, fun as well? If we’re going to get judged anyway, I might as well give them a kiss worth ranking. I sink my fingers into his hair and put some effort into making this the best kiss ever.
