“Shit, you too?” Pablo chuckles under his breath. “The heat spikes are getting you ready for things.”
“While I’m glad it’s staying away for now, the hints of it are making me insane,” Rosa admits. “I don’t have time for a heat.”
“There’s no way to schedule this,” Ciro teases me. “All we can do is figure out who you want there and prepare for it.”
“I want you all there,” Rosa pouts. “Despite everything, I like knowing we’re all together.”
“Me too,” I wince. There are too many eyes on me as the words leave my mouth. “You Domino brothers are like a fungus, though you’re prettier to look at.”
“Aw, you like us,” Ciro crows.
“Don’t tell anyone,” I laugh, pushing open the gate. “How much I like you changes from hour to hour.”
“Nah, you definitely like us, Princess.”
“Ugh, why do you call me that?” I ask.
“Because even in jeans and a tank top, you look like royalty,” Dario mutters.
“They’re not wrong,” Rosa pipes up. “I’ve always thought that birds were going to fly over and sit beside you to sing for you.”
“You think I’m a Disney princess,” I giggle. “I have never thought of myself like that.”
“Where are you all headed?” Easton asks, his keys in his hand as he walks toward his car. We walk around it toward the sidewalk as we turn to speak to him.
“We’re going to walk to the street festival for dinner,” I explain. “I’m going stir crazy waiting for tomorrow to come. I need to move.”
“That’s fair,” Easton says, sighing. “I have to go into work. Have fun. Do you need anything?”
“No, but it looks like we’ll be moving into the new house soon,” Ciro explains.
“I think Pablo and I may be going into heat. It’s not an emergency, but we want to get things ready,” Rosa adds.
“Send me a list and we’ll get stuff ordered,” Easton suggests. “I’ll put it on your card. Nothing gives Silas more joy than to spend other people’s money. We’ll make sure it all gets into the house tomorrow.”
“You’re not coming tomorrow?” I ask. “Aren’t there still things to do?”
“Silas has an event coordinator keeping track of everything, and we will be there tomorrow. There’s a teenager who lives next door who needs extra money. He can handle deliveries,” Easton smirks. “He’ll mow your lawn too if you ask. Divide and conquer, Verona. It’s the best way to do things.”
“Okay then,” I say, relaxing slightly.
“I have a list started,” Dario admits. “I’ll send the finalized draft to him when we get back.”
“No rush. Have fun,” Easton says, getting into the car.
It’s not a long walk, but it helps to stretch my legs. There’s music playing from a band set up on the street, and the police closed off the area so it’s safe to walk. Slowly, the music helps me relax, and Rosa teases me into dancing with her. The street is packed with people, and I notice Nico, Dario, and Ciro are careful to stay beside us.
“I am craving a Greek chicken gyro,” Rosa admits, seeing a food truck set up nearby.
“That sounds delicious,” I say, starting to feel loose and happy. Too much stress turns me into someone I dislike to be around. “I’ll walk with you, Rosa.”
“I’ll go with you,” Nico says easily. “Ciro wants tacos, and Pablo and Dario are going with him. Plus, I want to watch you two walk ahead of me.”
“To stare at our asses or for safety reasons?” I tease him as our pack splits up.
“Definitely to stare at your asses. I am really enjoying the jeans,” Nico rumbles. “Wear whatever the fuck your want, I’m realizing I love all of it. For a man who lived for dick, I’m realizing pretty curves full of sass aren’t too bad either.”
“Is that how you see us?” I laugh.
