“Oh my god, Romeo!” I whisper hiss, feeling my cheeks heat. “You don’t need to threaten him.”
“Just making sure he understands the score.”
“Hurt her, and you hurt me,” Seb says, this time forcing a smile. “I got it.” He squeezes my waist. “For the record, I care about Elisa, and I have no intention of ever hurting her. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“And we’re the least ofyourworries,” Rowan adds, fighting a smirk as he looks at someone over my shoulder.
I don’t need to look to guess who it is. “Let’s go find Gia.” I grab Seb’s hand. “I’ll be having words with you two later,” I add, jabbing my finger between Rowan and Romeo before we walk away.
We stumble upon the oldies on our quest to find the birthday girl. Mom and Dad are seated at a booth with Nat and Leo, Sierra and Ben, and Massimo and Catarina. Dad grills Seb, but he’s more polite than my brother and my cousin. The other men eye him warily, and from the way Seb is shifting on his feet, I can tell it’s getting to him.
“Wow,” he whispers when I finally manage to extricate us from the parents’ table. “I’m beginning to understand why you were reluctant to date in the past. Your family is intense.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He smiles as I spy Gia and Joshua slinking into the room from a side door. “They’re protective of you. It’s a good thing.”
“I know they’re a lot, and I appreciate you coming as my plus one.”
“It’s not a chore spending time with you, Elisa.” His eyes probe mine as I watch Gia and Joshua heading this way from the corner of my eye. “You’ve got to know I’m crazy about you.”
My chest swells at his words, but I can’t return them.
“You made it!” Gia says, yanking me into a hug, saving me from having to answer.
“It’s not like I was going to miss it.” I beam at my bestie as she attempts to smooth her hair back into place. “You look beautiful, Gigi.” She’s wearing a gorgeous red dress that drapes around her enviable curves, and the diamond pendant resting on her smaller chest is clearly new. I’m guessing it was Joshua’s birthday gift. I lightly touch her bare arm. “It’s healing well.”Three weeks ago, she had surgery to reduce her boobs and a skin graft to repair the damage that Irish asshole inflicted on her arm.
“Yes, thankfully.”
Seb’s brow furrows, and I quickly change the subject. “I love your dress and your jewelry though you are missing one earring.”
Her fingers immediately inspect both ears. “Shit.”
“Your fly is undone,” Seb says to Joshua with the hint of a grin curving the corners of his lips.
No need to guess what they were up to. Warmth crawls up my neck and onto my cheeks. I wonder if it bothers Seb I am still keeping him at arm’s length? We’ve had oral sex, and we make out a lot, but I don’t feel ready to go all the way with him yet. He says he’s fine to wait, but he’s a hot, virile guy. Don’t guys his age have sex on the brain all the time?
Joshua quickly fixes himself. “Thanks, man.” Gia’s boyfriend wears a familiar mask, shielding his true emotions. The man is a master at hiding in plain sight. “I’ll go grab your earring,” he says, leaning in to plant a hard, possessive kiss on Gia’s lips before walking off.
“You must be Sebastien.” Gia thrusts her hand out. “I’m Gia. Elisa’s best friend and chief asshole detector.”
I barely stifle a groan. “Please, not you too. Poor Seb has already endured interrogations by Rowan, Romeo, Dad, and all the uncles. Cut him some slack.”
Seb shakes her hand. “I’m beginning to understand why Elisa hasn’t dated before.”
“Don’t take it personally. She has a lot of people who love her and watch out for her.”
“Happy birthday, babe,” I say, grabbing the gift from under Seb’s arm and handing it to Gia.
It’s a shameless ploy to distract her, and it works.
Peeling off the wrapping paper, she gasps when she uncovers the black and gold Valentino purse. “I love it. Thank you.” She grabs me into a bear hug. “Don’t look now,” she whispers in my ear. “But Caleb is coming this way.”
I sigh. Of course, he is. He just can’t take no for an answer.
Slipping out of Gia’s embrace, I thread my fingers in Seb’s and squeeze his hand.
“Hey, Lili.”
