I roll my eyes. “This isn’t first grade. Why are you raising your hand?”
“Excuse me. You’re the one talking to us like we’re a bunch of first graders. Now, I’m all for keeping things under wraps and going along with whatever you want, but don’t insult my intelligence and tell me you and that woman over there are just friends.”
Luca, normally the one I can rely on, nods his head. “I agree with him.”
I study their faces as I debate what my next move should be. I could deny it, but it’s clear they know something is up.
“Fine.” I throw my hands up in the air. “We’re sleeping together.”
I brace myself for the gloating, but it never comes. Instead, they seem curious.
“How long have you been sleeping together?” Luca asks.
“A couple of months.” I do the math, realizing it’s now the end of July.
How is that even possible? Has it been that long?
“And this is Walker’s sister …” Julian states matter-of-factly. “His sister who you’ve been sleeping with for months and are now bringing to a family dinner.”
“Don’t make me say it. Yes, it’s not exactly just sleeping together at this point. At least … shit, I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it. Can you please just keep it casual tonight?”
Luca stands and claps my back. “We’ve got you, brother. Now let’s go save her from Ma.”
I nod my head and follow him into the kitchen. Something happens when I see Eva throw her head back and laugh at something Aria said. She replies animatedly, looking completely at ease with my sisters.
Isabella covers her mouth with her hand and chuckles. The odd discomfort in my chest prompts me to rub my hand over it as I watch. An odd feeling comes over me, as if there’s not enough oxygen in the room.
Her eyes find mine and light up. In an instant, it all disappears from my brain. I return her smile and offer her a wink. Then watch her bite her lip and blush. Isabella and Aria look over their shoulders, then back at Eva and smirk at each other.
Ma calls us over and I corner my sisters before we get to the table.
I whisper, “please, don’t get Ma’s hopes up. We’re just sleeping together.” The words feel like a lie as they fall from my lips. It’s like a part of me already knows that’s not true, whether I’m ready to admit it.
I move to the other side of the table and pull out a seat for Eva.
“Thank you,” she says as she takes a seat.
I pull out the chair next to her and sit down. Finding her hand under the table, I grab it and give it a squeeze.
“Would you like any more wine?” I ask as I reach for the bottle set in the middle of the table.
“I would. Thank you.”
I pour hers, then place the bottle back.
“You don’t want another?” she asks.
“Nah, I have to drive us home.”
“Eva,” Ma interrupts our side conversation. “Please, help yourself. In this family, we eat whatever we want. Don’t feel shy. Take as much as you would like.”
“That’s Ma’s way of saying the more you eat, the more she’ll like you,” Julian mumbles under his breath.
Ma gives him a scolding look. She isn’t playing around right now; she wants to make a good impression.
I reach for the tongs. “Hold up your plate,” I tell Eva.
We fill our plates up with tons of carbs.