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Aidan thought he heard Viv snort at the sentiment, and he barely managed to swallow a chuckle.
“To the future,” Falcone agreed, raising his glass in a toast.
Viv sipped her wine in toast and twirled pasta around her fork. They ate in silence, but conversation somehow miraculously slipped around them, leaving them in their bubble. If people noticed they said nothing more to each other, they didn’t bother pointing it out. It wasn’t until dessert had been served that Viv turned to him and started speaking again.
“I’ve spent the last week getting a crash course in your family history. For instance,” she added at his confused frown. “That’s your uncle Sean, your father’s half brother. His wife, your aunt, died of cancer when James”—she gestured to his cousin with her fork—“was only seven. Which is very sad.”
Her brows knitted together before her forehead smoothed again, and she again pointed at James. “James's wife Maura was killed a few months ago by Evie’s evil twin sister, Nessa. The day after their wedding. It’s like a Shakespearean tragedy.”
He snorted softly, and he saw her tuck her tongue into her cheek.
“I heard about Finn. I couldn’t imagine losing a brother.” Her eyes darted around the table and then back to his face. “I really am very sorry.”
“It’s not like you killed him,” Aidan said, suddenly uncomfortable under her direct gaze and her sincerity.
“No,” she agreed. “But I’m sorry it hurts all the same. So would you like one?”
He shook his head at her quick change of subject. The woman was impossible to keep up with.
“A dead brother? Already got one of those, thanks.”
She laughed at his sarcasm, a smooth sound that had lust arrowing through him. Lust would make this a lot less excruciating to deal with. Not exactly pleasant, but less of a burden anyway.
“No, a crash course.” Her eyebrows shot up when he only stared. “On my family.”
Why the hell not. “Sure.”
He angled toward her when she leaned in closer, and he tried to ignore the delicate floral scent of her hair as it brushed against his arm.
“You met my parents,” she said, keeping her voice low. “They are as in love now as they were when they got married. It can be quite nauseating sometimes.” Her words were teasing, but her tone was soft.
She shifted, her shoulder bumping his as she gestured to her two older brothers. “Leo and Gavin have seven kids between them. It’s a wonder they’re able to get any work done. I imagine they’re just fucking like bunnies all the time.”
“You imagine them fucking like bunnies?”
She looked momentarily horrified, but then she laughed again. “Gross. Not like that. That’s my sister, Sofia.” She pointed to the woman he’d mistaken for her. “And her husband, Tim. They’ve got two girls. And then Nico. The baby of the family. Barely twenty-two and hoping to play baseball in the major leagues when he finishes school.”
“What team?”
She looked surprised at his interest. Not more surprised than he felt, though. “I wish I could say the Phillies, but he’d rather be somewhere warm. I think Atlanta, LA, and Houston are all at the top of the list,” she added with an affectionate smile. “I hope he gets to.”
“Why?”
“Because.” She turned back to face him, eyes dropping to his mouth before dragging back up to meet his gaze. “Everyone should get to do the things they want, the things that are really important to them.”
“And what do you want?” The question fell from his lips before he could stop it.
Her mouth curved up into a grin. “I’m not quite sure yet.”
They lapsed into silence again, and he watched her with her own family. They teased and poked and laughed. He had similar memories with his brothers. Back when their father had been alive and before Evie had shattered Declan’s heart. They felt like lifetimes ago. They were out of his grasp now, foggy.
Dessert was cleared and coffee poured, and slowly, finally, conversation began to ebb. Gavin and his wife, whose name Aidan couldn’t remember, left first. They had four kids to get home to. Nico went with them. He had school and practice tomorrow.
Sofia left with her husband soon after, reminding Viv that she’d see her the following morning. Brogan took Libby home when she started rubbing her temple. She’d been getting headaches since her father’s psychotic henchman DiMarco had kidnapped and nearly killed her, and Aidan was glad to be rid of her.
It was nearly midnight by the time they finally pushed back from the table, and when Viv stood, he got a good look at her from head to toe for the first time. He took in her soft hourglass curves and her long stretch of tan legs. She was taller than he’d expected, matching him for height in heels. Yeah, fucking her was definitely not going to be a hardship.
“I’ll see you at the house tomorrow,” Evie said to Viv, stopping in front of them.
