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“And if I don’t obey his every command?”
“He’ll no doubt walk in here and carry you to the dining room himself.”
I ignore her and go back to my reading.
She sits beside me on the huge sofa, clasping her hands together in front of her. “Please, Kat? For me, if not for Dante. I promise it’s something nice.”
“Nice and your brother do not belong in the same sentence, Joey.”
“Come on,” she laughs softly, holding out her hand to me.
“Fine,” I say with a sigh as I put my book down.
I follow Joey along the hallway. There is a nervous energy about her. What the hell is going on?
She stops outside the door to the dining room and turns to me. “I know he has a really fucked up way of showing it, but Dante would do anything for you, Kat.” Then she leans forward and gives me a quick peck on the cheek before she opens the door. “Have a wonderful time.”
She walks away, and I step into the room. Dante is at the dining table, dressed in a black shirt and black suit pants. His shirt sleeves are rolled up, exposing his huge, tattooed forearms. I’m so focused on him that it takes me a moment to see the white rose petals scattered over the table and the candles that are strategically placed around the entire room. He stands when he sees me and suddenly, I feel very underdressed in my maternity leggings and tank top, not to mention the old cardigan that once belonged to my mom. Yes, that is how old some of my clothes are.
“What is all this?” I ask him with a frown.
“I believe it’s called dinner,” he says as he pulls out a chair opposite his and indicates me to sit.
I sit on the proffered chair and it’s only then that I see the delicious peace offering sitting in the center of the table. I lean over and look closely at the cheesecake of my dreams.
“Is that from Mona’s?”
“It is.”
“How did you know about my salted caramel cheesecake fetish?”
“Joey told me,” he replies as he takes a seat.
“Of course. I told her about it a while back. I didn’t realize she’d sell me out to you though.”
A flicker of annoyance flashes across his face, but when he sees my grin, it disappears. “She didn’t sell you out. She actually told me what an asshole I’ve been.”
My eyes narrow as I stare at him. “For real?”
“For real.”
“I always did like her.”
“Liar,” he says with a wink and my heart rate kicks up a notch. Why does he have to act like such an arrogant tool most of the time, when he can be like this?
“So, can I have a slice?” I ask, reaching for the knife in the center of the table.
“How about we eat dinner first? Sophia is making your favorite.”
“Her amazing lasagna?” I groan as my stomach growls loudly.
“Yes.”
“Then I can wait.” I rest my hands on the table in front of me.
“You look beautiful,” he says, his eyes narrowed as he watches me intently.
I pull at the tattered edge of my old cardigan. I feel anything but beautiful right now, but the heat in his gaze tells me he’s not lying. It makes me squirm in my seat. Dammit, I’m so easy for him.
