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My phone rings in my hand, but I don’t answer it, pressing decline instead before tucking it back into my bag and ignoring the onslaught of messages I know my sister will be sending in response.
Five minutes later, T’s phone rings through the car’s audio system. “Hello,” he answers.
“Theo, what the hell are you doing, taking my sister to Italy? Are you nuts? Anything could happen to her there. I don’t know what shady shit you’re up to, but I sure as hell won’t let you involve my sister in whatever it is.”
I’m speechless. I knew Reilly had no sense of self-preservation or anything, but to flat-out go off on Theo? She clearly has no filter or fear either. “Reilly, stop…” I’m interrupted by Theo.
“Mrs. Williamson, I understand your concerns regarding my wife. And because you are family, I will allow you certain concessions others are not privy to. But do not, and I repeat: Do. Not. Ever. Think you can tell me what to do with my wife.” Oh, he’s not impressed. I don’t blame him. If someone tried to tell me I couldn’t take Theo somewhere, I wouldn’t respond kindly either.
“She’s not just my sister; she’s my twin. That’s like way more than just a sister. If anything happens to her, I will find you, and no amount of beefcake goons will be able to save your ass from my wrath.”
“Reilly, that’s enough. You’re overreacting, and you two need to stop talking about me like I’m not here. Theo is not willingly taking me to Italy. I forced his hand. So you can stop blaming him. You will be nice when we get to your place, or I’ll just leave.”
“Ah, sure. Okay, well, I guess I’ll see you soon.” Reilly hangs up.
I look over to Theo and see a huge grin on his face. “What are you smiling about?” I ask, confused.
“You arestupefacente, but I don’t need you to come to my defense, Holly.”
“Did you just call me stupid?” I try to repeat the word in my head:stupefacente. I can’t think of anything else it could mean.
“No, I said you areamazing.Dolcezza, you are the furthest thing from stupid.”
“Mhm, sure,” I mumble, making a mental note to Google that word later.
We park in front of Reilly and Bray’s house. I remember picking Reilly up from this street the first time she stayed the night. I never thought she’d end up living here. To be honest, I never thought she’d get married at all. “Nice neighborhood,” Theo says, looking around.
“Bray wants a soccer team of kids. He bought this house, ready for that future before he even met my sister.”
Theo kills the engine and turns my way, his gaze searing through me. “What about you? Do you want a soccer team?”
I can’t help but laugh. I’m a teacher. I love kids by nature, but I don’t want a heap of my own. “I want one, maybe two. But no more than that. How about you?” I throw the question back.
“I want as many as you’ll give me. I want a bunch of little Hollys running around.” His answer surprises me. I’m not sure why, but I never pictured Theo as a kid person. “You want daughters? You know daughters grow up to bring boys home—boys like you.” I smile.
Theo shrugs. “I can think of thirty different ways to make a man disappear without even trying. I’m sure I can manage to scare off any stronzi stupid enough to come around our daughters.”
“Stronzi?” I ask.
“Fuckers.” He grins as he gets out of the car. My stomach twists with nerves. I have to introduce Theo to my mum. What if she doesn’t like him? I’m still trying to wrap my head around my dad’s reaction, which I was not expecting at all. “What’s wrong?” T lifts my chin until my eyes meet his.
“I’m nervous. You’re about to meet my mum, T. She wasn’t exactly thrilled I went and got married.”
“Don’t worry about it. Ladies love me, Holly. Your mother will too.” He offers me that panty-melting smile, and I roll my eyes.
I lead Theo up to the house and walk in. Following the noise, I find my mum and Reilly in the kitchen arguing over baked goods, as Bray fills his mouth with brownies. I grab for the tray, but my hand gets slapped away before I can even touch one. “Hey.”
“Those are not for you, Holly,” my mum says, holding the metal pan just out of reach.
I glance between Reilly and Bray. My sister looks utterly pissed, while her husband’s sporting a smug grin. “What the hell?”
“She made them for me, Holls, sorry. I’d share, but you know… too good.” Bray laughs as he pops another piece into his mouth.
“Actually, I made them for Theo. You’re just lucky you got one first.” My mum pivots, holding the tray out to us. “Hi, I’m Lynne. Here, these are for you.”
“Ah, thanks. It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” Theo accepts her offering, raising a square to his lips, but before he takes a bite, he holds it to my mouth instead. I don’t hesitate to chew half the brownie off. He arches a brow but doesn’t say anything.
“Ah, why? Why can’t you share with me like that, Bray?” Reilly squeals.
