“Your nemesis is here,” Rick murmured.
Jordan followed his brother’s gaze. “Heaven help us.”
At Chiara’s inquiring look, Rick elaborated. ?
??Serafina is related to us by marriage. She’s Cole’s wife’s cousin. She also happens to be the one woman under the sun Jordan can’t charm.”
Jordan wore an unguarded look that said he was attracted like a bee to nectar—and befuddled by the feeling. Chiara hid a smile. She suspected that like her, Jordan lived in a world with plenty of artifice—big-time sports likely resembled Hollywood that way—and Serafina was a breath of fresh air.
Serafina was something different, and Jordan appeared at a loss as to how to deal with her. Relative? Friend? Lover? Maybe he couldn’t make up his mind—and it wasn’t only his choice to make, either.
“Excuse me,” Jordan announced. “Fun just walked in.”
“Jordan,” Rick said warningly.
“What?” his brother responded as he stepped away.
“Just make sure that while you’re getting a rise out of our newest in-law, you don’t come in for a pounding yourself.”
Jordan flashed a quick grin. “I’m counting on it.”
Chiara watched Serafina’s eyes narrow as she noticed Jordan step toward her. It seemed as if Jordan wasn’t the only one who was aware of someone else’s every move...
Then Chiara quashed a sudden self-deprecatory grimace. She couldn’t judge Serafina. She herself was attuned to Rick’s every gesture.
At that moment, the other attractive man Chiara had spotted earlier approached.
“Hi, I’m Cole Serenghetti,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Chiara Feran,” she responded, shaking hands.
She could tell on a moment’s acquaintance that Cole was the serious brother.
Unlike Jordan and Rick, Cole’s eyes were more hazel than green. Still, the family resemblance was strong. But Chiara noticed that Cole sported a scar on his cheek.
A beautiful woman walked up to them, and Cole put his arm around her. She had the most translucent brown eyes that Chiara had ever seen, and masses of brown hair that fell in waves and curls past her shoulders.
“This is my wife, Marisa,” Cole said, looking affectionately at the woman beside him. “Sweet pea, I’m sure you’ve heard of Chiara Feran.”
“I loved your movie Three Nights in Paris,” Marisa gushed, “and I follow you online.”
Chiara smiled. “It’s good to meet you. So you like romantic comedies?”
“I adore them.” Marisa threw a teasing look at her husband. “Though it’s hard to get Cole here to watch them with me.”
“Ouch.” Cole adopted a mock-wounded expression. “Hey, I’m just showing family loyalty to Rick for his adventure flicks.”
“A great excuse,” Marisa parried before turning back to Chiara. “You aren’t filming a romantic comedy now, are you?”
Chiara sighed. “Unfortunately no.” Unless she counted the banter that she had going on with Rick offscreen. “Blame Hollywood. Action movies bring in the big bucks at the box office.”
Marisa made a sympathetic sound.
“You’re a woman after my own heart,” Chiara said.
“I’ve had my tenth grade students watch you in the film adaptation of Another Song at Dawn,” Marisa added enthusiastically. “I’ve taught here in Welsdale.”
Chiara warmed to the other woman. “I’m so glad. That’s the nicest compliment—”