“You really love him, don’t you?” Capri asks, stealing my attention away.
“I do,” I sigh confidently. “Wild, right? Your sister is in love…who would have ever thunk it?”
Capri giggles. “Me. I did.” She brings me in for a hug. “He fits right in.”
“Seems like a good dude,” Jones comments at the same time Romeo and Luca make their way over. “Aye, boss man.Can’t believe you’re hitched,” Romeo says before turning to Capri. “He’s a lucky fucker, boss lady.”
“Oh, so I’m boss lady to you now, Romeo?” my sister questions him.
“He practiced the whole way here,” Luca chimes in, causing us all to chuckle.
“It’s so good to see you guys,” I tell Romeo and Luca, thankful we’ve been able to keep in touch since leaving Italy. “Staying out of trouble over there?”
“Never.” Romeo smirks. “You know how we do, blondie. Making our way through the Amalfi, one beautiful tourist at a time.”
Sounds about right.
My attention wavers as a strong arm pulls me close. I know who’s there without having to look. Not only does Easton’s warm scent act as a dead giveaway, but the scruff along his cheeks, nuzzling into my hair, sets my body on fire.
I know what he’s doing here.
“Hi, beautiful,” he murmurs loud enough for everyone to hear. But Easton doesn’t give a shit about anyone else, his eyes focused on me.
“Hi, Ranger.” I smile up at him, my arm finding his waist.
It’s then we turn to face the group around us. And much to my surprise, they’re all smiling like they’ve witnessed a forbidden secret.
Capri lifts her brows up and down, looking like she’s spazzing out or something, while Jones catches onto her awkwardness and intervenes to speak for both of them. “Easton. It’s nice to officially meet you, man. Jones Archer.” He reaches out to shake his hand.
Easton returns the gesture, introducing himself. “Easton Voss. Good to meet you. And congrats to you both. Capri.” Heturns toward my sister and reaches for her hand. Capri holds her hand out, shock rolling through her as Easton kisses it softly. “You make a beautiful bride. Thank you both for having me.”
Okay…pulling out all the gentleman stops.
“Show-off,” I tease, earning a pinch on my ass.
“It’s no trouble at all. We know how important you are to Collie, which makes you just as important to us,” Jones replies.
Easton and I share a look. We’re treading into unfamiliar territory, and for the first time, something is at stake here.
The possibility of losingthis. Losing what we have together if we can’t work out a plan. A conversation I know we still need to have.
“You make my sister very happy,” Capri tells Easton.
“Likewise. I adore Collie. I can promise you that. In fact, I’d really like to have a chance to talk with you sometime today, if that would be okay?”
“Of course. Yes,” Capri says. “Let us get through making our rounds, then I’ll come find you.” Easton nods, and Capri pulls him into a hug. “Talk soon, Easton.”
Watching them retreat, I almost forget about Romeo and Luca still standing here, but not Easton. He turns to greet them next. “Easton.” He reaches out to shake their hands.
“Ah, Italians don’t shake hands, brother,” Romeo quips before pulling Easton into a man-hug. I don’t know the correct terminology, but the thing where their forearms meet and shoulders tap. Whatever it’s called…Easton goes along with it.
“I’m Romeo. This is Luca. Collie and us go way back.” Romeo winks, and I can feel the tension rolling off Easton from here.
“Is that so?” he counters.
“He’s fucking with you,” Luca blurts, reading the room. “Collie wouldn’t give us the time of day. I think that’s what you Americans say, yes?”
I laugh, Easton following suit. “I’m so proud.” My hand meets my chest.
