Page 25 of Knocked Up by My Dad's Mafia Boss

I look him up and down and then meet his eyes. He saw me size him up. He doesn’t seem insecure. Still confident.

That’s hot. Or it would be, if I could think of anyone else but Dante Bianchi.

He takes a long drag from his cigarette and blows it out. I start to walk past him. “Hey Sam.”

I turn just my head.

“If you want to get out of here later, find me.”

I fight a smile and just nod my head, walking back inside to find my friends. Vaughn and Sofia are playing a heated game of beer pong while Reese sits out, watching and cheering them on. I sit next to him on the kitchen counter, swinging my legs.

“You wanna play next?”

I shake my head. “Not in the mood.”

He hums. “Thinking about Dante?”

“Not so loud!” I huff out a breath. “But yes.”

“Go after him, then.”

“What do you think I’vebeendoing?”

“Yeah, and it worked, didn’t it? Just tell him you’re down for something casual. That’s all this is, anyway, right?”

Right. Not like it can go anywhere.I wouldn’t go it to go anywhere. Would I?

He’s twenty years older than me. He’s my father’s best friend. Papa would kill me.

And I’m not interested in a relationship, anyway. Not like that.

“We’d have to keep it secret?”

Reese grins at me. “But isn’t that part of what’s hot about it?”

“You won’t say anything?”

He zips his lip. “Wouldn’t dream of it. He already looks at me like he wants to strangle me. I’m not taking any chances.”

An hour later I’m playing chicken with Sofia on Ethan’s shoulders and we fall into the lake, giggling. When I come upfrom the water, Dante stands at the edge of the lake, offering me a towel. I swim up to the shore, taking it and getting out, wrapping it around my naked form. Dante won’t look at me.

“It’s time to go home.”

“Who says?”

“I do, it’s nearly daylight.”

“Did you finish your book?”

“Yes.”

I look at him for a moment. I’ve been pacing myself so I don’t feel drunk, just happy.

“Alright.” I wave to Reese and Sofia, who boo me from the lake, and put my dress back on.

Dante’s stiff as he walks me to the car. “Am I in trouble?”

“You should be,” he mutters as he gets into the car, not bothering to open my door for me like he usually does.