My face heats again.
“Antonio,” Nico says in warning.
Antonio’s grin turns wolfish. “Relax,” he says, like Nico’s tone is entertainment. “I’m being nice.”
His gaze flicks over me, then softens a fraction. “Lovely to meet you,bella,” he says and kisses each of my hands in turn.
“You too,” I say, a little flustered.
Nico steps up, suddenly without either of the kids, and puts his hand on my back.
“Ignore him. He’s a flirt,” he says, deadpan. “It’s terminal.”
Antonio flashes a charming grin.
“When a beautiful woman such as this is standing before me, how can I resist?”
I laugh a little. It’s hard not to.
And finally, the last of the uncles steps forward. I immediately clock him as the calmer one. Suit impeccable. Eyes kind but watchful.
He takes my hand. “Roberto,” he says. “Nice to meet you.”
And that’s it.
Beside him is a heavily pregnant woman.
So pregnant, my spine aches in sympathy just looking at her.
She smiles at me—genuine, warm.
“Hi,” she says. “I’m Olivia.”
“Hi,” I say, and I can’t help myself. My eyes flick to her belly. “Oh my God.”
Olivia laughs.
“Yep,” she says. “Any day now.” She pats her belly.
Roberto’s hand rests at the small of her back.
Luca lifts his hand once, and the room shifts.
Not silent. Not obedient. Just… attention turns his way.
“I believe that dinner is ready,” Luca says.
Everyone moves as one.
Nico keeps one hand on my back as we walk toward the dining room.
“Breathe,” he murmurs, low enough that only I hear it.
I manage it, barely.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“It’s a lot,” I say.
