“Ah, Eliana, Zev. You both look wonderful. Come join us,” he says jovially and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me to his side and away from Zev.
“William, Marissa. You remember my daughter, Eliana?” my father introduces. “And this is Zev, of course,” I don’t miss the dismissal in his tone. My brother just shoves his hands in his pockets shaking his head.
“You’re as lovely as your mother,” William tells me, his eyes roaming over me, making the unwelcome kind of goosebumps spread on my exposed skin. He extends his hand to take mine, placing a kiss on it.
“Thank you.” I say awkwardly tugging my hand free when it is acceptable to do so. His wife’s eyes drift between us, and from her stiffened jaw, I can tell she’s irritated by her husband’s comment. But these women know what their men are like.
“Your dress is exquisite,” Marissa looks down her nose at me. “You’ve grown so much.”
My mother stares at me all the while, silently reminding me not to step out of line.
“Wonderful to meet you too,” Zev says sarcastically, and William’s eye flit over him and back to me.
“We should go mingle with people our own age,” I loop my hand through Zev’s as we excuse ourselves.
“Your mother will not like that,” Zev warns as we stroll away.
“I don’t care. I hate the way they treat you, and I hate the fact that you never do anything about it.”
He stills, looking down at me. “You think I don’t want to do something about it? I don’t because I know what our father is capable of. I know that a Hernandez, especially one born out of wedlock, needs to toe the line.”
“But you don’t have to, Zev. You’re his son, take your rightful place. He has a responsibility. Don’t let my mother push you out.”
He sighs. “I’ve learned to pick my battles, Ella.”
I look over my shoulder, my mother’s eyes trailing us. “It’s about standing up for what is right, Zev.”
“I’m not like you. Maybe I’m not brave enough to stand up against them.” I look into his eyes and I understand. Nodding, I let him lead me to the dance floor.
Zev spins me around until I’m belly laughing. A slow song starts, and a man I’ve never met asks to cut in. Zev bows away gracefully, giving me a wink. There’s something oddly familiar about him. He has the kind of eyes that etch into your memory and stay branded there.
“You look exquisite,” his voice is husky and sultry all in one. I meet his blue gaze and cocky grin. He’s dark hair is swept back, and he’s tall enough that I have to look up at him. He grasps my hand in his as his other hand snakes around my waist, pulling me closer.
I’m at a loss for words. There’s something about him.
“I’m Ethan Ferreira,” he grins down at me, his smile making me want to smile right back at him. Oh, yes. He’s William and Marissa’s son. We used to play together when we were kids.
“Eliana, but you already know that,” I say.
“I do, but it’s still nice to hear. This is pretty.” He runs a hand down my tattooed wrist, and it sends small shivers down my spine. Ethan is gorgeous. The pudgy little boy is all gone, and in his place is this sexy specimen.
I’ve had a few boyfriends over the years, none of which lasted, and it may be the fact that I haven’t gotten any action in a while, but this guy checks all my boxes, even though he might be the son of one of my father’s friends. There is no harm in a bit of fun, I remind myself.
“Thank you,” I respond, meeting his gaze. “I haven’t seen you in a while?”
“I’ve been abroad, at University. I just got back in town. And I’m glad I did.” He offers me a sexy smirk, and my stomach flips.
“Where’d you study?”
“Oxford.”
“Nice. I hear all the smart ones go there. What’s your major?”
“Law. But I’d much rather have studied human anatomy. ’Cause yours is pretty impressive,” he cocks a brow.
That is so lame but so cute. I laugh out loud.
We dance until the end of the song, and he makes more jokes, including stupid uncle jokes which I can’t believe I laugh at. When the song is over, he takes a bow, and I cannot stop smiling.
