“All of them?” Gunner pushes.
“Extra salt, spilling too much sauce and trying to mix more in the same bowl, pasta sticking or cooking too long. There are times where you have to start over, but because Massimo and I were more interested in playing around in the kitchen than cooking at first, we had plenty of lessons in fixing things.”
“You sound like a horrible child. Tell me again how you grew up to be the responsible one.” Gunner snorts.
I giggle and rub Roman’s sides as continues working on the sauce. Gunner monitors the pasta, testing its consistency while I work on rolling meatballs. We laugh and tease each other as we work. But somehow, in the end, we have a meal. All that fun resulted in something that Roman gives his approval to after taste testing everything.
I turn off the music and yell for Holden and text Nick. He won’t be home for another forty or so minutes since he’s just now closing up to leave the office. Gunner gives me a nice glass of wine and kisses my cheek.
“Don’t you worry. Nick can feed himself and everything,” He assures us. “And Italian will microwave well.”
“Don’t say that to Grandma.” I quote Roman, even trying for a deep voice, considering he’s said it no less than seven times while cooking.
Gunner clinks my glass with his and Roman swats my thigh for my sass. I kiss Gunner quickly as we work on making our plates and remind him to take off his apron. He rolls his eyes and hangs it up.
Holden plates his food and the four of us sit down together to eat. The guys talk about their days and Roman and Holden both grumble about a partner. Once they give the name, Gunner rolls his eyes.
“Carl’s kind of a dick.” He explains. “He wants to be hyper-involved with everything. If I didn’t think he’d argue immediately, I’d say he doesn’t trust us.”
“Then why work with you?”
“Power trip.” Holden and Gunner answer at the same time.
Roman chuckles. “He knows we’re the best option he has. But he doesn’t want to be anything less than an alpha dog.”
“That’s dumb. Are you sure you aren’t putting words into his mouth?” People don’t actually talk like that. They act in their own interest, sure, but to demand time and make things hard just because you want to be seen as the stronger man? That’s ridiculous.
“He’s said it,” Roman says clearly.
“You allpretendto be Alphas which is why I have to step in and show you what it really looks like.” Gunner mocks.
Holden cracks a smile and nods. I’m still hesitant, but Gunner holds up his hand. “I’m just glad he’s not going to visit anytime soon. He’s the worst to go out with. Sophie, you know those pick up artists? The ones that say to insult pretty women and play mind games to get them to come home with you?”
I wrinkle my nose. “I’ve heard of them.”
“He took a class with one and tries to use the skills. It used to be funny to watch him get upset that I’d get women easily while he struggled, but then he’d lose his temper and he’s a mean drunk.” Gunner shovels more food into his mouth.
“Then I’m glad he’s not coming around.” I huff.
“He wouldn’t get a chance at you,” Roman assures me. “We’d ask you to work from home and send Gunner out to deal with him.”
“My wingman skills have gotten better.” Gunner shrugs.
My eyes flick to Holden. I like our work from home days. We don’t wear a ton of clothes, we make each other laugh, and I always find time to spend on his lap. Which reminds me that his birthday is coming up and I have an ambitious plan that involves the guys for the present I want to get him.
After Holden finishes dinner, he gives me a kiss and heads back to work. Nick comes home and makes himself a plate without bothering to heat it. He nods to everyone and I linger at the table with the guys.
“Okay, so Holden’s birthday is in two weeks, what are we doing?”
Roman smiles softly and shakes his head a little while Gunner grins. “I love you, Sophie.”
“I don’t think he wants to celebrate,” Nick says evenly. “It might embarrass him if you know exactly how old he is.”
I wave my hand at that. “I don’t need an age, but we’re definitely celebrating. I have this idea, but I don’t know if he’d like it, so I need some input.”
“I think she’s determined.” Gunner scoots closer to me. “Let us in on the plan.”
“There are places that design artwork sleeves for prosthetics. They can be tattoo designs, fun designs, whatever. I was thinking about getting all traditional style tattoos since he said once that he was interested in that kind of art form, but I don’t want to overstep, especially since he keeps it hidden so often.” I spill in a rushed whisper.