This is what family looks like.
The real thing. Not the broken version I grew up with.
“So.” Sierra’s uncle, James, leans forward, his gaze landing on me. “How did you two meet?”
Sierra tenses beside me. Her thigh presses against mine under the table.
We didn’t prepare for this question. Why didn’t we prepare for this question?
But I don’t hesitate.
“Coffee shop,” I say, and glance over at her. “She spilled iced coffee all over me.”
A few people laugh, and I keep going, surprising myself.
“She was apologizing so much I thought she might pass out.” I pause, letting the memory of that day settle. “I couldn’t stop watching her. The way she smiled even though she was flustered. I knew I had to see her again.”
It’s not a lie. Not really.
Sierra’s staring at me now, her eyes soft, and I hold her gaze a beat too long.
“That’s sweet,” Alicia says, her hand over her heart.
Harold clears his throat. “Sweet, sure. But you barely know each other. Hell, we didn’t even know you existed until last week.”
“Dad—”
“It hasn’t been that long since she broke things off with her last boyfriend,” James cuts in, his tone careful. “You can understand why we’re shocked.”
Her brother, Julian, nods. “I figured we’d meet a guy a few times before he proposed.”
The whole table is looking at me now. Waiting.
I take Sierra’s hand under the table. Her fingers tremble as they intertwine with mine.
“I know it’s fast.” I keep my eyes on her. “I got swept up in the excitement of finding someone like her. I didn’t see it coming. She’s...” I swallow. “She’s special.”
Sierra’s eyes are glassy, her lips parted, and for a second, I forget anyone else is here. It’s just her. Just us.
“Well,” Alicia says, breaking the moment. She’s smiling so wide it looks like it might hurt. “I think that’s beautiful.”
I nod, but I don’t look away from Sierra.
Because it’s not just beautiful.
It’s true.
17
SIERRA
“I agreedto him getting the damn sports car,” Harper admits during dessert. “But we’re getting me an SUV next year.”
Julian leans over and kisses her temple. “My girl, always so practical.”
Harper smiles at him, that soft, devoted look she always gets around my brother. Like he’s the only person in the room.
A quiet longing stirs in me as I watch them. That easy intimacy. I glance at Matteo next to me and catch him already looking at me. Something flickers in those ocean eyes. Something I’m afraid to name.
