I followLen into the kitchen, trying to remember a time I’ve been more pissed at her. “What the fuck was that, Eleanor?”
She’s already poured herself a cup of coffee and hands it to me. “That was me in shock, Maximus. I don’t remember the last time you brought a girl around the family.” The little brat taps her finger to her lips and thinks about it for a moment, then holds the damn finger in the air, as if to say a-ha! “Oh, that’s right. You’ve never brought a girl around the family before.”
I put the coffee mug down on the counter and glare at my sister. “I didn’t bring her around the family today either. You walked into my house.”
“Yup. I need a key, by the way.” She purses her lips and pours another cup of coffee for herself, then sits down on one of the stools at the island. “She’s really pretty, Max.”
“She’s fucking beautiful, Len.” I lean back against the counter and watch my sister smell her coffee but not drink it.
“You say ‘fuck’ too much, big brother.”
“Yeah well, you drink too much coffee for a pregnant woman, little sister.”
Len lifts her coffee mug high into the air and tilts her head slightly. “Touché. I’m just smelling it this time.”
“You are so weird, Len.”
A throat clears behind us as Daphne enters the room. She picks up a mug that had been sitting on the table in the built-in breakfast nook, then tops it off with fresh coffee and joins the two of us at the island.
And I have to fight the urge to wrap my arm protectively around her.
Reminding myself that’s not us.
Not yet.
But I can’t help but think maybe it should be. Last night didn’t just change us. It changed everything.
Having her here.
Having her next to me.
Having her meet my family.
It just feels right.
Lenny’s entire face lights up as her gaze skips between Daphne and me. “So, Daphne... You and my brother?”
I expect Daphne to blanch at the teasing in Len’s voice.
But what I’m learning is the only thing I should expect from Daphne is she never does what I expect her to do.
“So, Len. Sebastian Beneventi? Did you know when we were little, he used to behead my Barbies?” She sits back and sips her coffee as my sister cackles. Actually fucking cackles in response.
“Oh my God, no. Tell me more. How did I not know you know Bash?” Lenny leans toward Daphne, and I think she’d shove me out of the way completely if she could.
Daphne’s legs brush mine as she swivels her chair toward my sister, and I give in and lay my palm possessively on her thigh. Happy she’s getting along with my sister but selfishly wanting to have her undivided attention on me, if only Lenny would leave.
“The Murphys’ house was always the hangout house, and Carys has been my best friend since elementary school. Bash and I both spent our summers practically living there when we were little. Mrs. Murphy made the best pancakes, and Aiden always helped her. That gave Bash time to torture Carys and me. My Barbies usually paid the price.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I’m pretty sure sharing that with my sister somehow won her a friend for life.
Women are fucking crazy.
“I can’t wait to torture him with that later. I’ll bet you’ve got way more dirt than that.” Len smirks my way. “The little sisters have all the good stories.”
“Well, I’m just a little sister by proxy, but Aiden, Bash, and Brady Ryan were always up to something. Carys and I were two years younger, so we never ran in the same crowds. Bash was always a good guy. He was the quiet one of those three.” She squeezes my hand between her legs, and damn, what I wouldn’t give to be touching her bare skin.
“You know, Bash was insistent that Carys sing at our wedding. He said he’d get chills when she’d sing the National Anthem at their games. She’s singing the song we’re going to dance our first dance to.” Lenny grabs my arm excitedly. “That’s why I’m here, Maximus. I have a favor to ask you.”
“What is it, Len?”