“I’m going to fix their marriage.”
“That’s more Valerie’s job, considering she’s the psychologist,” He murmurs.
“They still love each other, Nick, we might just have to parent-trap them.”
He chuckles and ushers me over to our table. “Alright, tiger, tell us the plan while you try everything we got for you. We’ll see if we want to do that.”
“I’ll provide incentive.”
His eyes sharpen as he looks me over and licks over his bottom lip. “You will have all of our undivided attention.”
“I didn’t say what the incentive was.”
“We all know how ... uninhibited you get around the holidays, Sophie. Just the word ‘incentive’ will work.” He has me sit down and squeezes my shoulders. “Sophie has a plan.”
19
ROMAN
My eyes flick to Sophie at lunch. She is somehow certain that the romantic getaway is going to go to Matthew and Bella. When it does, I shake my head. I’m sure she either signed it under their name or one of the guys did.
Sophie leans back and rubs her belly happily and we finish eating as the awards and announcements continue. Miles waves his hand. “Well, I’m sure you’ve heard enough from me. Enjoy your meal and we’ll give out more prizes! Please make sure to enjoy everything the resort offers, including the skiing and the drinks!”
I drag Sophie’s chair towards me and arch an eyebrow. I love my wife unconditionally, and I love how forgiving she is and how much she cares about other people, along with all the things she’d do for those she cares about, however ... we need to draw a line somewhere.
Bella and Matthew’s relationship isn’t our job to fix. That is their problem entirely. If she wants to help, she can suggest that they go see Valerie. That would be the sane way to do it. Sophie nibbles her bottom lip as she peeks up at me from under her lashes.
“What’s that face for, Roman?” Sophie asks as if she’s completely innocent.
“You shouldn’t be getting involved in their relationship. Bella is unpredictable.”
“Everyone is unpredictable, amore.” She rubs my thigh. “I think Bella is serious about wanting to fix things with Matthew and if I can help her do that, I will.”
I make a face at her. I don’t understand her logic.
She sighs and gives me a gentle smile. “I want everyone to have a chance at what we have built here. Everyone wants love. It’s a basic human instinct and Bella may have stumbled and had her issues, but that doesn’t mean she deserves to lose her husband when she’s trying.”
“Bambina.”
“I’d hope, Roman, that if we had a problem and you and I were at odds and unsure if we were going to fix it, Bella would step in and help however she could. I know it wouldn’t get that far since we have Gunner, Holden, and Nick, but still ...”
I rub my forehead, frustrated at being put in this position. I point at the guys who areveryinvested in our current conversation. “This meddling only works if you’re sober. If you get drunk, don’t step in. Period.”
Gunner holds his hands up. “Love that. I’m drinking.”
Nick nods. “Same. I don’t want to get involved with Bella’s life. It’s her life, and Matthew’s life.”
Holden sighs. “Matthew is our friend. Like Sophie said, if we were having problems, we know he’d be there to help us, whether that meant talking us through things or kicking us in the ass. We should be there for him to.”
“Thank you, Hold.” Sophie batts her eyelashes at him and gives him a deep kiss when he stands up. He rubs her belly and presses his forehead to hers. Sophie rubs the back of his neck. “I love you.”
“You better love me, even when I disagree with you,” He growls.
“I do, Holden. Always,” She assures him.
He sighs. “I’m going to dive in on Matt, casually of course.”
“Make it extra hot so we can see it from here.” Gunner wiggles his eyebrows.