“Stop that.” She playfully swats my chest. “Your brother is a catch. If he’d only allow himself to believe he’s worthy of love and happiness, Elisa could be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”
I’m tempted to ask if she knows he got the snip, but it’s not my secret to share.
“Poor Marco.” I’m chuckling as I watch him trying to avoid a mouth kiss, but Raven is a determined little thing and way more forthright than Elisa has ever been. She’s going to be a complete stunner when she’s grown up, and Marco most likely will not be ignoring her then. His cheeks stain red when Raven gets her way, planting a quick kiss on his lips. Thank fuck Ben isn’t in the room. He’s off somewhere with Alesso and Leo. Those three are thick as thieves. Have been for years.
“Marco is super shy,” Gia admits. “But he’s the best of us.”
The mistletoe makes its way to Frankie and her husband Rico. He dips her down low, supporting her with one arm around her back, while holding the mistletoe over their heads. It’s quite an amorous display, and catcalls and wolf whistles ring out.
“Get a room,” Cosimo shouts, and his parents break their passionate lip-lock with wide smiles on their faces.
Rowan and his girl have a turn next, and then I snatch the sprig and turn to Gia, hoping she is game to do this. I press my mouth to her ear. “Is this okay?”
Her big blue eyes widen as she stares at me. “You’re sure you want to do this? There will be no coming back from it.”
“I don’t want an out.” My expression turns solemn, and my heart is beating like crazy behind my chest as I ask my next question. “Do you?”
She rigorously shakes her head, sending waves of reddish-brown hair tumbling over her shoulders. She’s decided to let the dye naturally fade, rather than getting the color stripped. “Nope. I’m all in, Joshua.”
My shoulders relax. “I’m all in too.”
She beams at me, and I grin back at her. This feels surreal. Like it’s happening to someone else. If you’d told me last Christmas I’d fall in love with Gia Bianchi, I would have asked what you were smoking. I never could have predicted this.
“Kiss her already!” Rowan yells.
“Yeah, Joshie. Kiss her,” Leif adds, and a chant of “kiss her” starts up around the room.
“Don’t want to disappoint our audience,” I say, reeling her into my arms as I elevate the plant over our heads.
“Definitely not,” she agrees, winding her arms around my neck. “And we need to one-up my parents. Can’t let the rents steal our thunder.”
“Mission accepted,” I say, leaning down to kiss her. Our mouths melt in a scorching-hot kiss as we cling to one another with burning intensity. I prod at the seam of her lips with my tongue, and her mouth parts, granting me entry. Our tongues glide sinfully against one another like we’ve been doing this our entire lives. We’re so lost to the moment that our surroundingsfade. Gia jumps up, wrapping her legs around my waist as I toss the mistletoe away and hold her upright.
“Ahem.” A loud throat clearing finally pulls us apart as whistling and giggling bounces off the walls. I stare at Rico Bianchi’s red face. His nostrils are flared, and his hands are clenched at his side. Oops. “There are kids in the room, and that’s my only daughter.”
“I’m aware.” I bundle Gia in my arms as I spot Caleb and Elisa watching us from opposite sides of the room. Elisa has a smile on her face, but it’s tinged in sadness, and Caleb looks miserable. I frown, wondering what is going on there. Elisa didn’t sit beside Caleb at dinner, which basically never happens. I eyeball my twin, and his unhappiness is glaringly obvious.
“Relax, Dad.” Gia punches him in the upper arm. “We got a little carried away, but there’s no need to get your panties in a bunch. We’ve seen you and Mom do way worse.”
“Take a chill pill, Rico.” Frankie loops her arm through her husband’s. “They’re in love. Leave them be.”
Mention of the L-word doesn’t induce the panic-riddled fear it usually would, but I’m not wholly comfortable either.
“We’re going for a walk,” Gia announces, dragging me away. “Sorry about them,” she whispers, “I know they’re a lot.”
“I like your parents. They’re cool.” I’m distracted watching my twin.
I peck her lips. “Wait by the side door. I just need to have a quick word with Caleb. I’ll meet you there in five.”
I spot Elisa making a beeline for Gia as I walk across the room to my twin. “What’s going on?” I ask, lifting one shoulder and gesturing toward the corner of the room away from prying ears.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about. Go be with your girl.”
“Caleb.” I pierce him with a knowing look.
Air whooshes out of his mouth, and we walk over to the corner. “It appears I’ve done something to upset Lili. She won’t talk to me or tell me what it’s about.” He shrugs. “It’s probably for the best. Things were becoming…complicated.”
“We’re definitely talking about this, but I’ve got to go. Gia is waiting. I can ask her if she knows anything?”
