“If you ask me, he’s the better man.”
He shook his head. “Yeah. You’ve changed him. I like it. Remember, he is the baby of the family with four older brothers that love him.”
“Yes, sir. You don’t need to worry. I am falling hard for your little brother.” He nodded his head up and down.
“Good. Good.” slapping me on the back. “Good talk.” Then he walked away.
There were all kinds of people in this family: doctors, lawyers, engineers, students, teachers, and stay-at-home moms. The men laughed and teased the ladies, and both genders cooked. You could feel how this family loved one another unconditionally. I looked around the kitchen, and I saw homemade pasta, bread, meatballs in the oven, and sauce on the stove. I couldn’t believe they did this every week. It was like walking into a hug.
I was comfortable letting Daisy meet people but told River he should keep an eye on Charlie. If the two dragons were together, Daisy would protect him and help him socialize.
“Charlie will feel safest with his person. So, try to stay in his eyeline.” He kissed me on the cheek.
“Just like you. I like you in my eyeline.” That made me smile.
I could see Daisy already on the coffee table preening. She was such a showoff.
“Hey Forest, she knows how to play fetch. Just throw a paper ball and tell her to go get it.” She would shamelessly continue to play because she loved being fussedover.
“No shit.” He stood, opened a rolltop desk, and balled up a paper. I watched as she played with them. My girl was so well-behaved, clearly a happy dragon.
River checked on me regularly. He stayed close and held my hand. He would catch my eye if he got pulled away and ensured I was okay. I saw no sign of the awkwardness I sometimes saw in him. This side of him was just as attractive, and he was in his element.
We all gathered in the dining room. Most guests sat around the enormous main table. There were armchairs in the corners with small tables, and people sat in all of them. The food was out of this world. I was talking to Stone and Storm when Cecelia yelled from the other end of the table.
“Aaron!” I looked up at her.
“Yes, ma’am.” I had no idea what was about to happen.
“Do the dragons need food?” I let out a breath and doubted this was about feeding them. It was late, and they had not eaten, so I might as well get them something.
“A little something would be good for them.” Both dragons were curled on our shoulders while we were eating dinner. Begging at the table was not acceptable as far as I was concerned, and River seemed content to follow my lead regarding Charlie. I pushed out of my chair and put my hand on River’s shoulder.
“I hope I come back in one piece.” Daisy sat up. “Charlie, let's go.” He jumped up next to Daisy.
Cecelia stood at the other end, and we walked to the kitchen. She pulled raw ground beef, green peppers, and lettuce from the fridge. “Will this do?”
“That should be fine. Do you have a small plate?” I placed a small pile of raw meat into the center. Cecelia started cutting the pepper into slices. I turned around and leaned against the counter.
“I know you want to talk to me. We could have done this after dinner.” She grinned at me.
“Handsome and smart. I see why River likes you. The only way to have a private conversation is when everyone else fills their face.” She continued to slice vegetables. “He’s special to this family. He was a rainbow baby, and it’s ironic that he also ended up gay. We said it must have been fate. Josephina and Rinalto nearly died the day he arrived. He was six weeks early, and she hemorrhaged. We thought we were losing them both. Doctors told her there were no more babies, and he was in the NICU for two months. I suppose because of that, we smothered the poor boy.” She looked at me with kind eyes.
“I can understand that. Losing a baby and almost losing the next one must be scary. As close as this family is, I am sure everyone felt it.”
She continued. “River has never been with someone. We never really understood why there was no one for him. Maybe he was waiting. I know he has had relations with men.”
I was shocked at how direct she was. “Don’t look at me like that. We are not prudes, and you don’t end up with a family this size without knocking boots.” I laughed hard at that. I liked this woman. “River is different today. It’s like a missing piece of him has slipped into place. You did that. As you know, I am his assistant, and you know his success is phenomenal. He built me this house, and he pays for family meals. He puts any number of his cousins through school. He does so much for us but always seemed a little lost.” She stopped and looked at me hard.
I was not surprised to hear about what he did for his family. It just made me double down on how much I like him. I could feel myself slipping over the edge of that cliff. “I think you are that missing piece. I like you, Aaron. You fit right in with us. Knowing you are around, I suspect he will need me less than he used to. I am going to say thisjust one time. You break him… we are Italian, and we take care of our own.” She looked at me so earnestly that my blood ran cold.
The dragons had finished eating. I swallowed hard. “Yes, ma’am. I am very fond of your nephew. It sure feels like he is my missing piece, too. I have no intention of hurting him in any way. I can hardly breathe when he is around because he is so amazing. I’m glad he has you and the rest of the family watching out for him.”
“Aaron, you are family now. I’ve seen this group reject people and run them off. Forest has invited many women, but they usually don’t get through the vetting process. Then there was the guy Stone brought home. He left halfway through the meal. I see things. What I saw today was that everyone accepts you.” She placed her hand on my shoulder.
“I understand what you are saying. I will do everything possible not to let River or you down.”
“That’s all I can ask. These two have finished eating. Let's go finish our dinner.”
