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I roll my eyes, dismissing her compliment. “My ass and boobs are way fatter than yours though,” I insist, trying to pull the material up over my straining cleavage.
Kat wrinkles her nose. “Not really. Maybe a cup size bigger than me, but the dress fits you beautifully.” She slaps my hand away. “Now stop fidgeting.”
I drop my hands to my sides. There’s no way she’s looking in the same mirror I am. Kat has an enviably slim figure, while I’m always at least ten pounds overweight. “It’s not too revealing for the dinner table?”
“It’s a wrap dress, Mia,” she says with a dramatic eye roll. “Not a bodycon mini.”
I didn’t bring much with me, and I’m running out of things to wear. Dinner at the Moretti mansion is a semiformal affair most evenings, and I don’t want to embarrass my cousin by wearing jeans and a tank top when everyone else is dressed up. “Thanks for the loan.”
“You should keep it. That color is perfect on you.” She wrinkles her nose and I see where Gabriella gets that very same expression from. “It doesn’t suit me.”
“I can’t take this. I bet this dress cost more than my last car!”
She grins at me. “All the more reason you should have it. It’s like an asset.”
I laugh. “I could sell it if I ever have to go on the run.”
“Seriously though, it looks incredible on you, Mia Melon.” She wraps her arm around me, and her use of my childhood moniker warms my heart. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad I’m here too, Kat Cabana,” I reply, resting my head on hers. We stand like that for a few beats, smiling at each other in the mirror the way we used to when we were thirteen years old and life was so much simpler.
* * *
Joey jumpsup to give me a hug when I walk into the dining room with Kat by my side. “Wow! You look hot.” She pulls back and looks me over from head to toe. “That color’s amazing on you.”
Kat takes a glass of wine from Dante and turns to Joey. “Isn’t it?”
My cheeks flush pink at their praise.
“Yeah. I never did like it on you, but on Mia…” Joey’s face lights up with a wicked grin.
“You were the one who persuaded me to buy it!”
“I know.” Joey winces. “It looked good on you in the store, but I think it was the lighting. Green and blue are definitely more your colors.”
Kat gives her sister-in-law a look of mock-betrayal and shakes her head. “Remind me to never take you shopping again.”
“I did help you choose that incredible green dress you wore for your wedding anniversary.” Joey wiggles her eyebrows. “The one you said Dante tore in half because he—”
“Enough, Joey,” Dante says good-naturedly, shooting Kat a smoldering glance that makes her blush. Then he turns his attention to me and hands me a glass of wine. “You look very nice, Mia.”
“It’s a beautiful dress,” I reply self-consciously, smoothing the fabric over my thighs. I turn to the table and notice Lorenzo sitting by himself, nursing a glass of Scotch. He’s looking down at his drink, but my skin tingles like his eyes had been locked on me only seconds before.
“Do you have to cause trouble everywhere you go, baby girl?” Max asks Joey as he pulls out her chair.
“You know I do,” she replies with a soft giggle, and the sound he gives in response makes me smile. Everything about being around this family makes me happy. They’re so close-knit and care about each other so much. I’m privileged to have been allowed inside their little bubble, if only for a short while.
“Speaking of trouble, I heard there was some at the casino today?” Dante asks as he takes his seat at the head of the table.
Max and Lorenzo share a brief glance, but it’s Joey who answers. “The cops received a tip that we had some underage patrons and were also running hookers out of the place. Obviously it wasn’t true. It’s handled.”
“Yeah. All sorted,” Max agrees.
Dante turns to his older brother. “Loz?”
“Dealt with,” Lorenzo replies.
Dante frowns and takes a sip of his wine. Everyone remains silent for a few seconds, and when he speaks again, I see Lorenzo roll his eyes in my peripheral vision like he’s annoyed that his younger brother won’t let this drop. “Why did the cops act on such a bogus tip-off? Where did it come from?”
