It is?Damn.So not only did I hog his favorite reading spot, I also took over his bed.I’m shocked he didn’t throw me out.
“Thanks for inviting me to dinner last night.It was lovely,” I tell her.“I don’t want to wear out my welcome, so I’m gonna head back and freshen up.”
“Nonsense.”She waves me off.“Stay for breakfast.You can freshen up in one of the guestrooms’ ensuites.The cabinets are stocked with everything you need.”
When she sees my hesitance, she quickly adds, “If you’re worried about Stefano, he’s out cold upstairs and won’t be up for hours.He’s not a breakfast person anyway.”
I’m still unconvinced, shaking my head.But before I can refuse, she sweetens the pot.“There’s banana bread…”
My eyes narrow.“Ooh, you playdirty,Cora.”
Laughing, she shoos me away.“Go, go.Freshen up.”
I head down the second hall to the guestrooms, stepping into the closest one.Just as she said, the bathroom cabinet is stocked with new toothbrushes and toiletries.
After washing up, I make my way back to the kitchen and find the breakfast bar laden with a delectable spread fit for royalty.
“Come, come.Sit, eat.”
My greedy stomach grumbles as I take a seat.“You spoil me, Cora.”
“Because you love my food.”She waves a hand around.“These boys,somuch goes to waste with them.Their appetites are fickle.Hungry one minute, uninterested the next.They start eating, get distracted, and vanish after a few bites.”She gestures vaguely above, exasperated.“They say, ‘Cook something nice for dinner, Aunt Cora.’And then they don’t show up.”
I pop a slice of strawberry into my mouth.“My dad’s the same.That’s just how it is with men who are always juggling a lot of things at once.”
The front door chime echoes through the house.Seconds later, a sweaty Gio strides into the kitchen, fresh from a run.Shirtless, glistening, abs and ink on display.
His grin is easy when his eyes land on me.He comes up and plants a salty kiss on my cheek.“Hey, pretty eyes.”
“Manners!”Cora scolds, swatting him with a dishrag.“Go clean up all that sweat.”
I’m less concerned about the sweat and more about howhothe feels.Setting my fork down, I press the back of my hand to his neck.
“Gio, it’s eitherscorchingoutside, or you’re coming down with something,” I say.“You’re burning up.”
“I’m fine.”He laughs it off.“Yeah, I woke up feeling a little off, but I went for a long run to sweat it out.I’ll be right as rain after a cold shower and a shot of whiskey.”
“Uh, I don’t think that’s how it works…” I frown at him.“Have you ever been sick before?”
He pinches my cheek.“I’m good, pretty eyes.Promise.”Then he steals a strip of bacon from my plate and pops it into his mouth.“Fix me a plate, Aunt Cora?”
Watching him jog off upstairs, I shake my head.Typical stubborn men.With a fever that high, he’ll be bedridden by sundown.
“Don’t worry,” Cora tells me.“I’ll make him some honey garlic tea and a strong dose of combative herb bitters.”
I nod.“But if he gets stubborn about it and you need help, just call me.I’ll hold him down while you shove it down his throat.”
Cora shakes her head with a knowing smile.“And yet you wonder why you were at the dinner table last night.”
I squint at her.“What?”
“Oh, nothing, nothing.”She waves a hand, motioning to my plate.“Eat up.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Raya
I’VE JUST LACED UPmy sneakers, about to head over to Brioso Hubb, when my phone rings.
