“Stop messing around down there and get cleaned up. Dinner’s in five.”
Dad didn’t respond. There was just a lot of grumbling and things banging around. Luca and I shared a smile, both fighting back a laugh. They still didn’t know about the engagement because when we got to the house, Mom whisked us into the den, and I was wearing gloves.
“She’s going to flip when she finally sees this thing.” I lifted my hand and tilted it back and forth.
Luca grabbed it out of the air, dropping a kiss right above the ring. “I love seeing you wear my ring.” He dropped my hand on the cushion between us, his thumb tapping my knuckles as his gaze burned into me.
When he licked his bottom lip, I leaned in and whispered, “I’ve got some pretty cool posters in my bedroom. Want to check them out?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Dinner will be ready in five minutes.” Bumping my nose with his, he gripped my chin. “Behave.”
Rolling my eyes, I flopped back to my spot. “Almost done?” I yelled toward the kitchen.
“Yep. You two head to the dining room. Greg! Now, damn it!”
“Coming!”
We’d just sat at the table when dad popped around the corner. “Hey, kids.” Luca and I stood and exchanged hugs. “Maggie, you need a hand?” Dad asked, even as he sat.
“Nope, here I am.” Mom floated into the room with a platter of pork chops. After a few more trips back and forth, she’d filled the table with baked mac and cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes. For a woman who dreaded being fat, she sure as hell threw down.
“This looks amazing, Mom.”
“Thank you, honey. I hope everyone’s hungry.”
“Starving.” Dad started loading up his plate. “After four days at the firehouse, I’m about to eat my weight in pork chops. Pass those potatoes, Sasha.”
Passing the dish, I said, “As long as I get to take home a little leftover mac and cheese, we’re good.”
“We’ll see.”
Mom was flushed and preoccupied as she ate. Looking at dad, I noticed his cheeks were almost as red as his hair. “What were you up to before we got here?”
“I was moving some boxes in the basement for your mom.” Dad lifted his eyes from his plate. “She’s setting up a crafting corner.” The corners of his mouth lifted, and he winked at Mom, making her whole face beet red.
Biting my lip, I tried to catch Luca’s eye, but he was too busy eating. The sound of cutlery on Mom’s fine china, random yummy noises from Dad, and the hum of the washing machine in the mudroom were odd. There’d never been a silent meal at their table. Apparently, Mom and Dad getting freaky and causing dinner to be late was the only thing that could shut Mom up.
Wild.
I twisted around in my chair, trying to strike up conversation. Unfortunately, everyone else was focused on their plate. Fork and knife in hand, I dramatically flourished my utensils and scraped the plate in a move sure to draw my mom from her unnatural silence.
“Sasha Marie! Pick up your knife. Don’t scrape my good pla—What’s on your hand?” She shrieked the last part, jumping out of her seat and rounding the table. Her hazel eyes were wide with excitement as she snatched my hand, making me drop the fork on the floor, but she didn’t care. “You’re engaged?” Her head whipped to Luca, and she yelled, “You proposed?”
“Maggie.” Dad wiped his mouth with his napkin and settled back in his chair. “There’s no need to shout.”
She jerked my hand toward dad, pulling my tits into the mashed potatoes. “This rock is something to shout about, Greg.”
“Damn it.” Yanking my hand out of her hold, I brushed off the potatoes. Luca’s shoulders shook in silent laughter as I glared at him. I lifted my chin at Dad. “You don’t seem surprised.”
“I’m not.” He and Luca shared a meaningful look.
Ah. I narrowed my eyes at Luca. “You didn’t.”
“I did.” He straightened his posture, his jaw tight.
“We’ll talk about this later.”
He cracked a smile. “Can’t wait.”