Coming back out of the bathroom, he took my hand as if we went to breakfast with my family all the time. “Let’s go.”
Liam was someone who took charge. It was evident in his every word, every action. I’d never introduced anyone to my family, but despite all that had happened between us, walking into my parents’ kitchen together felt right.
“Mr. Lombardo, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Liam greeted my dad, shaking his hand. Liam was a broody bastard most days, but if he wanted to charm someone, he had no problem doing so.
My dad beamed at him, and I wondered what Mom had told him. “The pleasure is all mine.”
Dad immediately went into baseball talk, something I’d never seen Liam watch. But he responded like he watched every game, and they entered a heated debate.
I joined Mom in the kitchen, eager to earn some extra points and help out. When I got home yesterday, my parents had been beside themselves, despite me calling them from Chicago and reassuring them all was well.
Mom hadn’t wanted me to sleep in my old apartment. Her worry was also why she’d shown up this morning unannounced.
But I’d needed space, and the thought of squeezing into my parents’ small guest bedroom had not helped my rapidly declining mood. In the end, I’d won but had promised to have one of Gunner’s guys watching me inside and one on the street.
“What can I do to help?” I asked, kissing Mom’s cheek.
She opened the oven door, and hot air billowed out, carrying the delicious smell of cornetti with it. “Everything except the table is done.”
I went to the cupboard and pulled out four plates.
“We’ll need seven. Vlad and his wife and Amara are joining us for breakfast,” Mom instructed.
“What do you mean? Are they in Ferguson?” I asked, cold sweat breaking out all over my body at the thought of seeing everyone.
Mom looked at me as if I’d asked her to buy bread from the supermarket. “They came up as soon as they heard you’re back. They all love you and want to make sure you’re okay. Now stop looking at me like I’m planning your execution.”
Liam appeared behind me, taking the plates out of my hand. “Let me help.”
Adding three extra plates, I pointed to the dining table. “We’re eating in there.”
Setting out the plates, Liam frowned. “Are we expecting others?”
I added the cutlery, letting a sigh escape. “Vlad and his wife and myziaAmara are coming as well.”
“And why do you look like that’s a bad thing?”
Grabbing mugs and passing them over to Liam, I set out the glasses. “That’s because it is. They’ll be relentless. And they also don’t know we’re back together yet. Or that you’re not engaged anymore.”
My mom squeaked, and I realized what I’d said. “It’s complicated,Mamia,” I said, wanting her to like Liam. “He didn’t even know his fiancée.”
Another squeak told me that might not have been the right thing to say to redeem Liam’s actions in the eyes of my mom.
“Arranged marriage is normal where Liam comes from.”
The doorbell saved me from digging Liam’s hole any deeper. He joined me in the kitchen, putting his arm around me. Melting into him, I buried my head in his chest. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
“I can’t make her like me. And you only told the truth. It’s up to her to decide if she’s okay with it or if she’ll hate me for all eternity.”
Chuckling, I tilted my head back, and he dipped down, kissing me with infinite care and longing in his eyes.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Vlad’s voice boomed through the kitchen, followed by his thundering footsteps. “What the hell is he doing here? And why are you kissing him? Have the drugs from your kidnapping not worn off yet? Or maybe you hit your head? Because they’re the only reasonable explanations I can think of as to why you’re this close to the dipshit.”
“Vlad, I can explain.”
“I’ve heard that before,” he grumbled, ready to yell some more. A small hand on his arm stopped him. Tati appeared with a frown on her face, shooting Vlad a look that made him shut up.
“Why don’t you let them explain before you yell.” Her voice was much lower than his and had a musical quality to it.
