I’m immediately excited about the idea. It changes the energy for the rest of the ride.
When we get to Ma’s, I go to reach for her hand before we walk in, then pull back. Walking inside hand in hand is a good way to get our cover blown.
The moment we walk into the kitchen, silence falls upon the room. Izzy and Aria look between Eva and me, then at each other and smile.
Ma’s eyes light up brighter than the sun. “Oh my. I didn’t realize we were going to have company. Hi, dear.”
“Everyone, this is Eva. Walker’s sister and my designer.”
Luca, who was pouring wine when we walked in, comes up to us and hands Eva a glass. “Hi, Eva. I’m sure you’re going to need this.”
“Do I get one?” I ask.
“Nah, I’d much prefer to see this go down with you tense as hell.”
Julian cracks up from the other side of the island. “Nice to meet you, Eva. I’m Julian. Roman’s much better-looking brother, who happens to be single.”
Eva chuckles next to me. “Nice to meet you, Julian.”
“Eva, this is Luca. Then we have Isabella and Aria. Most importantly, this is my mother, Chiara.”
Ma nearly pushes Luca over to get to Eva and wraps her up in a huge hug. “It’s so lovely to meet you, Eva.”
Yeah, this was a bad idea. Ma is going to be planning our wedding by the end of the evening.
I should’ve known I couldn’t dangle hope in front of her and not expect her to try to snatch it up.
“Thank you so much for sending all those leftovers over the weeks. You’re truly a phenomenal cook.”
Ma smiles brightly at me. “I’m just happy Roman has someone to bring them to.”
Luca and Julian giggle like a bunch of teenagers. They’re loving this.
“Eva,” Aria calls from across the room, “why don’t you come over here and help me with the salad? I might need some time to explain my brothers to you.”
Eva bites her lip and looks up at me. I nod my head for her to go ahead without me. It’ll give me a chance to talk some sense into the guys.
Ma grabs my cheeks and gives me a big kiss on one of them. “She’s beautiful. You found a wonderful lady.”
“Ma,” I warn softly, “we’re just friends.”
She walks away like she didn’t hear what I just said. I know she heard me.
Julian and Luca can barely contain themselves.
“You two”—I point aggressively— “family room … now!”
We barely cross the threshold before I’m whacking them on the back of the head like Ma does when she’s pissed.
“Ow!” Julian whines. “I didn’t even do anything.”
“Sit your asses down now,” I demand.
Once they sit, I stand directly in front of them. My muscles feel tense as I think about Eva in the kitchen with my sisters and Ma. They’d better not be giving her the third degree.
“Listen up. This is how it’s going to go tonight. You are going to be polite. You are going to make her feel welcome.” I study their faces to make sure they’re understanding how serious I am. “And you are not going to ask questions about the nature of our relationship. We are friends. That’s it.”
Julian raises his hand into the air. “Can I speak?”