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“Sis,” Diego wrapped his arm around her shoulders, “this is Mike, David and Stuart.”
“Hi, nice to meet you all...there’s, um, lots of pizza.”
“We noticed.” Stuart smirked.
Emelia felt uncomfortable after the introductions because everyone just stood around, so she pinched her brother in the side to get him moving.
He turned and frowned at her but took the hint. “C’mon, grab the pizza, and there’s beer in the fridge. I don’t want to miss the beginning of the game.”
Everyone got moving, but she didn’t miss the interested glances Diego’s friends gave her.
It would be a long afternoon if that was how it went with them. She had stuff that she could be doing, like reading the new hardback book she’d bought from the large Barnes and Noble that was just down the street. She’d passed it when she’d gone for a walk and had lost herself for hours in its aisles.
She’d even bought a book for Diego about the structure of the empire state building, something that fascinated him. She loved her brother, and their family, but sometimes she wished they’d leave her alone, and stop interfering in her life.
They were a happy family, and everyone loved being together back in Montana. She just wished that she hadn’t started to feel like an outcast because of what she’d overheard.
Eric was right. She did need to visit with her mother, and talk to her. Eric hoped that she’d misheard, she knew that, but she hoped, with everything in her that she hadn’t. If she hadn’t, then the only thing standing in the way of her being with Dante would be his chosen life with the church.
“I’ve been standing in front of you,” Mike started, “for about five minutes and you haven’t even noticed. I must be losing my touch.” He offered her a soft smile.
“I was lost in thought,” she blushed, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so rude.” Her brother wouldn’t be happy if he knew she kept drifting off while in the midst of company.
He grabbed another beer from the fridge, and held one out to her. Their fingers touched and his lingered, but no sparks flew for Emelia. She met Mike’s gaze and smiled. He seemed like a nice guy, but she had no clue how to act in these situations. She certainly didn’t want to lead him on.
“You going to come and watch your brother play?” Mike asked, sounding hopeful.
“Yeah, I love watching Kasey.” She followed Mike into the living room where the guys were already spread out and ready for the start of the game.
Kasey was something to watch on the ice, it was as though he was a different person. On the ice, he was just as aggressive as the other players, even more so in some cases, and off the ice he was her caring, loving brother…although, like all brothers he could be a dick on occasion.
There was only a three year difference between her and Kasey, so she’d grown up with him being that annoying older brother who would do anything to get a rise out of her. She, of course, would run to their older brother Eric, and ask him to beat Kasey up. He never did, but he’d get Kasey to back off, at least for five minutes.
She loved her brothers, and no matter what, they’d always be her brothers, except Dante. They’d never lived in the same house because he’d been away at school when she’d been born, and he’d only come home and spent the odd night at the house when he had to talk to their father about something.
So they were strangers until that day she’d kissed him…and then…what were they now? She wasn’t sure but she knew that she only had the love of a woman for a man she couldn’t live without. Her heart beat wildly for Dante and, mind made up, she planned on getting her man eventually, and only hoped that he didn’t love the church more than he loved her.
Chapter Seven
Another wedding and, for once, not one that he was residing over, which meant Dante could sit back and relax, or pretend to at least. He couldn’t settle completely because he knew that Emelia was around somewhere, and it wouldn’t be long before he had to be in her company.
After their exchange over the holidays, he wasn’t sure if she would willingly seek him out like he was used to her doing. With there being so much family around, they wouldn’t be able to avoid the other.
Even though his eyes craved the sight of Emelia, it would hurt him being so close to her knowing how off limits she really was to him. Perhaps he should have worn his collar, instead of going without, like Mateo had suggested. At least then, he’d have more of a reminder of just how forbidden Emelia was.
Years ago, he’d been so close to claiming her that he’d been terrified of the consequences. And now, because of the decision he made, he had to live with it, which meant he had to try and have a life that didn’t include her.
He laughed to himself while he knocked a whiskey down his throat. He’d never be able to get Emelia out of his life, even if he truly wanted her gone. There was a connection between them that would always pull them together. Fate could be cruel sometimes.
On his third whiskey in thirty minutes, Dante realized that his brother Eric had sat down beside him, but Dante had no clue how long he’d been there. It also didn’t go unnoticed that when he drained his glass, Eric pointedly stared at him, and the glass.
“I don’t need to ask what’s wrong with you, do I?” Eric drawled.
Dante covered the glass with his hand to prevent the bartender from pouring him another. He’d get drunk later, and maybe get a night’s sleep for once. “Everything is just dandy.”
“I know you, and nothing is right...which is why you need to sit down and talk with Emelia.”
His eyes snapped to meet Eric’s. “You’re kidding right? I need to stay away from her. I can’t be alone in the same room with her, Eric.” Pushing away from the bar, Dante paced in front of his brother. “It’s the only thing I can do, regardless of how much we’re both hurting. No more Emelia...I’m a priest and need to forget about her.”
