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“Returning the favor,” Cole replied, shooting a look at Jordan.
“What favor?” Sera knew she sounded like a parrot, but she couldn’t help herself.
She’d avoided mentioning her appearance on the show today to Marisa, which meant... She focused her gaze on Jordan, who wore a bland mask.
Cole cast his brother a sardonic look. “Jordan came as comic relief when Marisa and I were guests on Mom’s cooking show before we were married.”
“Oh.” Sera remembered teasing her cousin about the significance of that appearance for her relationship with Cole—which was why she hadn’t wanted to mention her own cameo today in return to Marisa, who might get the wrong idea.
“We thought about bringing Dahlia,” her cousin went on, oblivious to Sera’s distress, “but we figured she was too young to—”
“—watch her uncle Jordan get outmaneuvered.” Cole chuckled.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Jordan replied.
Cole flashed a smile. “Payback, little brother.”
“And thanks to the fact that Mom still has a show, you have the chance,” Jordan grumbled.
Just then, Serg Serenghetti walked into the studio, all the while chatting with a producer.
“Excuse me,” Cole said. “I’m going to help Dad find a seat.”
Jordan watched his brother walk away and shrugged. “The Serenghettis have arrived in force.”
Sera bit back a groan. Great.
As if on cue, more Serenghetti family members entered the studio. Rick and Chiara Serenghetti were followed by Jordan’s sister, Mia. Even though Chiara wore glasses and a baseball cap, so as not to be identified as a well-known actress, Sera recognized her immediately.
Sera swung back to Jordan and asked accusingly, “What is this? A Serenghetti family reunion?”
Jordan shrugged. “News to me, too.” Then he stepped forward and addressed his middle brother. “What are you doing here?”
“We’re here for moral support,” Rick replied sardonically.
“For whom?” Jordan replied.
Sera was wondering the same thing. In this wilder-than-dreams scenario, it was hard to tell who needed help more: her, Jordan or Camilla, whose show might be in the crosshairs of new management.
Mia Serenghetti walked up, holding a cup of coffee and looking on trend in the way only a budding fashion designer could. She caught Sera’s gaze. “Nice job bringing my youngest brother to heel.”
Sera blew a breath. Despite her best intentions, it was as if she and Jordan wore bright neon signs: Get These Two Together. Still, as everyone laughed, Sera pasted a smile
on her face. “Thanks, Mia, but I’m not in the market for—”
“—reforming bad boys,” Jordan finished for her wryly. “Yes, we know.”
Mia’s gaze swung from Sera to her youngest brother and back. “Finishing each other’s sentences. Interesting.”
That comment earned a laugh from Rick and Chiara.
Sera held up her hands. “No, we’re not. We’re boring. Very, very boring.”
“Better hope that’s not true for the sake of Mom’s show!” Mia replied, taking a sip of her coffee.
Fortunately, Sera was saved from the need for further comment because the studio staff—including the middle-aged producer who’d summoned her from Camilla’s office earlier—started hustling everyone into position.
Minutes later, Sera pasted a smile on her face for the cameras and went with the agreed-upon script. “Gentlemen, start your kitchen appliances.”
