A surge of protectiveness and jealousy surged inside Antonio. “Giù le mani.”
“Se non ci provi, ci provo.” Tara shrugged and turned away to open the trunk. “Your choice.”
“Did I miss something?” Emily asked.
“Did she?” Tara directed a pointed gaze at Antonio. She was in rare form today. He’d have to ask her later what was up.
He shook his head, but couldn’t hide his smile, and loaded their luggage into the car. “She says you’re pretty, and if I’m not going to make a move, she will.” He didn’t see a reason to hide the conversation.
Emily’s blush darkened. “What did you tell her?”
“Hands off.” He opened the back door for Emily and waited until she was in before sliding in next to her. “Her penance is she gets to play driver for the afternoon.”
They left the airport and headed toward the city. Tara got him an apartment near the offices, which should be perfect for Emily to dive into the experience and make getting to work easier. Besides, after living in San Jose for so long, he wasn’t sure he could handle the shock of removing himself from a crowded city center right away.
Tara met his gaze in the mirror. “I bought you a little time to get settled. I know you’ve been on the plane all night, but Mom and Dad are expecting you for dinner. Should I tell them you’re bringing a guest?”
“It’s up to you,” he said to Emily. If Tara was a pest about meeting her, his parents would probably fawn and fall over themselves, but it wasn’t his decision to make. “My family is friendly, but if you want to sleep off the flight, no one will blame you.”
“I’d love to meet them.” Emily gave him a huge grin, then turned her attention back to the passing scenery. As they drove, he pointed out different places of note—some historical and others personal. She looked fascinated with each one, snapping pictures whenever the car came to a stop.
The last time he viewed Milan through the eyes of someone new to the city, it was with Justin. The reminder clenched like a fist around Antonio’s lungs, but the squeeze wasn’t so tight with Emily by his side.
“Tara doesn’t sound like an Italian name,” Emily said.
Tara glanced in the rear-view mirror. “It’s not. Our mother’s Irish. Don’t worry. I’m sure we’ll share all the fun secrets Antonio’s kept from you, over dinner.”
“I can’t wait.” Emily sounded excited. Then again, that tone had been in her voice since before they landed.
He wished he could bottle a little of it and use it to smother everything unpleasant that haunted him.
A short while later, Tara dropped them off at the new place, handed over the keys, and wished them both luck. She swept Emily into a huge hug as well, before leaving.
Inside was smaller than Antonio’s house in California, maybe only half the size, but it felt perfect. He settled their bags in their separate rooms, and as he turned, he caught Emily yawning.
“We don’t have to be anywhere until eight tonight, and the city will still be here tomorrow. You should sleep.”
Her persistent grin drooped. “I guess.”
“Come on.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and dragged her to sit on the edge of the bed. “Shoes off.”
She complied, then crawled further onto the mattress and patted the spot next to her. “Keep me company?”
“Sure.” As if he could sayno?
He wasn’t aware of falling asleep, until his world shook and startled him awake. Emily flopped down on the mattress next to him. The sun had shifted from one side of the world to the other while he napped, bathing the room in a gorgeous yellow glow.
She settled her head next to his, held up her phone, and said, “Saycheese.”
“Uh... cheese?” He grimaced.
She snapped the photo of both of them, then bounced away.
He forced the haze of sleep away and sat up. “What was that?”
“Nothing. I need to get ready, don’t I? It’s five. When do we have to leave?”
He leaped from the bed and lunged for her phone. She squealed and held it above her head, which wasn’t much of a threat. He snatched it away, the frowned when he tried to figure out what she wasn’t telling him. “It’s locked,” he said.