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I bite my lip and glance down at my fidgeting hands, suddenly feeling nervous for not running my plans by him beforehand. “I… uh… I sort of invited my sister and her two kids over to come swimming today.” I look up to find one brow lifted, his warm brown eyes fixed on me.
“I mean, if you’re okay with it?” I gesture over my shoulder. “I can call her back and cancel—”
“Of course I’m okay with it.” He chuckles. “What time should I expect them? I’ll let the security at the front gate know.”
“Uh, I think we said noon, but she’s usually late. Are you sure you don’t mind? I’m sorry I didn’t ask you earlier. I just didn’t think you’d be around and…”
He shakes his head, his dimples growing deeper as his lips curl into a grin. “Kira, it’s fine. You don’t have to ask me to have people over. Especially not your family.” He crouches to his bag and starts rummaging for a different tool. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
I feel my spine stiffen as a wave of panic rises in my chest. I don’t know if mixing my family with my—whatever he is—is the best idea. Greer and the kids live here. What will happen when I leave?
“Oh, I don’t want you to feel like you need to entertain us. I’m sure you’ve probably got work to catch up on.”
“And miss out on meeting your family? No way. The work will always be there.” He gives up rummaging through the tool bag and wipes his greasy hands on the towel. “We could bust out the grill…have a whole spread of burgers and hot dogs…”
I step in front of him, trying to get his attention. “You’re not going to hurt my feelings. I really don’t mind.”
“Sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me.” He crosses his arms over his broad chest and narrows his eyes. “What? You don’t want me to meet your sister? You afraid she won’t like me or something? Because, I’ll have you know, I make a pretty good first impression.”
As if it’s Mr. Perfect I’m worried about making a good impression.
More like, I’m worried my sister is going to read into this whole thing the wrong way, then she’ll fall in love with you, and I’ll never hear the end of it when this arrangement between us inevitably ends.
I stare back at him and let out a heavy sigh. “Trust me. I’m aware.”
“So what is it?” he asks, his voice more serious now.
I shrug. “I don’t know. Don’t you think it’s too… coupley? I don’t want to send the wrong message.”
My sister may act like she’s cool with casual relationships, but the girl is a hopeless romantic at heart. She’s been through the wringer, but she always roots for love.
“I think I can manage to hide my affections toward you for one afternoon.” He winks. “Besides, I love parties, and it’s been years since I’ve made use of my pool. You wouldn’t deprive me of a hosting opportunity, now, would you?” He pins me with a stare. “I promise, I’ll be on my best behavior. You’ll barely even know I’m here.”
Okay, now we’re just flat-out lying to each other.
“Sure. I guess it’s fine—”
“Great. Now, what do you think the kids will prefer, ice cream or popsicles? I’ll just get both,” he says, already pulling out his phone to make a grocery list. “Are there any allergies I need to know about? Or dietary restrictions?”
I blink at him, feeling embarrassed that I have no idea. What kind of aunt am I? I barely know anything about my niece and nephew at all.
Roman must sense my unease because he offers me a kind smile, then leans forward and kisses my nose. “How about I just get a little bit of everything, yeah?” He brushes my bangs off my forehead and cups my chin in his palm. “Relax. This is going to be fun. Why don’t you and Matilda go get yourselves ready while I run to Market. I’ll have everything ready by the time they get here.”
“Thank you. You really don’t have to do all of that—”
“I want to,” he interrupts. “Let me take care of you.”
Rather than arguing, I press my lips closed and offer him a grateful smile.
“Now look who’s learning,” he says with a wink. “Keep that up, and I’ll be extra generous tonight.”
So much for keeping things discreet and casual.
I have a feeling my meddling sister isn’t going to let this one go so easily…
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Roman
