“I love it,” I sigh, taking it all in. “But are you sure about this? I would be happy in a smaller room.”
Elana snorts. “There’s no such thing as a smaller room in this house.”
“Nothing but the best for you,” Isabella says proudly, giving me a side hug. “I wanted this to be a surprise. Your face says everything.”
My hands fly to my cheeks, which are sore from smiling. I gesture toward the tub. “I mean…I might never leave that bathtub.”
We head back downstairs and Brendan immediately makes his way toward me through the small crowd as Isabella and Elana mingle with the new arrivals. More extended family that I’ve never met. More introductions where I immediately forget people’s names. It’s going to be a long week.
“How did you survive?” he asks when we’re alone.
“Rather well, I think.” He hands me a glass of water. “I got a lovely tour, as well as some fabulous dirt on you.”
“What dirt?”
“Just a story about you in Superman undies. Your aunt is excited to show me the picture.”
“Blackmail, huh?” he says with a nod. “I knew they were up to something.”
“Just their way of showing love.”
He leads me to the table where everyone is finding their seats for dinner, and before I get there, he pulls out a chair for me.
I lift an eyebrow. “Since when are you a gentleman?”
“Since my mom is watching,” he shoots back smoothly.
Brendan’s arm settles around my shoulders, like we’ve been doing this for years. So natural, that my body forgets this is pretend.
At the last moment, in walks Rafael Marco in an immaculate suit, his dark hair slicked back. As if I’m not already nervous enough, he takes the seat next to me.
Wonderful.Nothing like trying to impress the man who told me to go home. As far as I know, he still hasn’t remembered me yet from the night of Carmen’s accident. But that doesn’t stop my knee from bouncing under the table or my nerves from zipping around my stomach.
I sit up straighter in my chair, trying to gather my confidence. “Hello, Mr. Marco.”
He takes one look at me, his brow furrowing as he tries to place me. His gaze slides to Brendan before he makes the connection.
“Ah, yes, Scarlett. It’s good to see you again.” He places his napkin on his lap and motions to one of the waiting staff to fill his glass. “Brendan hasn’t stopped singing your praises, especially regarding the vendor contract.”
“Really?” I turn to Brendan, expecting an explanation, but he only gives me that crooked smirk that tells me he’s been holding up his end of our bargain. “Hopefully, it’s been all good?”
Rafael takes a sip. “Of course. I’d say he’s been bragging on you, but I don’t want to get him in trouble.”
“I appreciate that,” Brendan answers smoothly.
Grandma Rosa clears her throat. “Raf, I told you no talking about business all week. This is a family celebration.”
If he can’t discuss the Crushers, that means the vendor contract is off-limits too. I already had newideas to pitch from watching the vendors at the Charlotte game, but it looks like I’ll have to wait until later.
As plates of salad appear, Rosa gives me a warm smile. “Isabella tells me you and Brendan have been friends for a long time.”
“Yes, when Brendan visited here in the summers.”
“I was friends with her brother too,” Brendan adds.
Rosa’s eyes light up. “I bet you have stories about Brendan, then.”
Brendan shakes his head. “We don’t talk about those stories.”