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“Good because if you hurt her, I’ll be the one doing the stabbing.”
Tony’s smile widens, “Yeah, I definitely like him.”
I roll my eyes. “Can we go inside now?”
I’m slightly nervous about meeting his family. Officially. Considering the only times they’ve met me is on the other side of a large conference table and I’ve never actually spoken to any of them, I want to make a good impression.
I have never met the families of any of my boyfriends. Except Dimitri, whose father I met once but Dimitri doesn’t count. Tony moves to my side as we walk through the double doors of the house.
“Don’t be nervous,” he says quietly.
I look up at him, wondering how he can tell that I am. His hand moving up my arm. He rubs my skin in soothing motion that has me immediately relaxing.
“I’m okay,” I tell him.
He leads us through the home that’s artfully decorated. I’m not surprised by the art pieces hanging all over the walls considering Rosario De Luca lives here. it makes sense. And it’s nice and cozy. Despite how huge it is, it feels like a home.
My heels clack against the marble floors as we walk towards a large door. Tony opens it to reveal a large dining room. there’s enough chairs for 16 people but there are only five currently occupied. Roman’s seated at the head of the table, his mother is seated on one side and his wife on the other. There’s a booster seat holding a squirming little girl who can’t be more than two years old.
“Everyone, this is Sophia Mincetti,” Tony announces with flourish. “But you already knew that. And that’s her cousin, Rico. Blondie, this is my family.”
I roll my eyes at the blasé introduction but he’s not done.
Tony faces the elderly woman first, “Maria’s practically my mother. She helped raise me since I was a teenager ever since my mother passed away,” he clears his throat before continuing. “Elena’s my little sister. Roman’s my brother. And that little one there is Cassieopeia. We all call her Cassie,” he says softly.
The toddler looks at him at the mention of her name.
“Zio,” she calls for her uncle, holding out her hands to be held.
He immediately goes to her, leaving me to smile awkwardly at his family members.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” I say quietly.Oh God, kill me now.It doesn’t help that they’re all being so quiet, staring at me like they’re not quite sure what to do or say.
Tony returns to my side, carrying Cassie in his arms.
“Cassie, meet Sophia. She’s going to be your new aunt. YourZia,” he says warmly, holding her in front of me. I stare into her big blue eyes and I can’t fight a smile. She’s so adorable.
“Hi, Cassie.”
“Can you say Sophia, Cass? Go on, say hi Sophia,” Tony prompts his niece.
“Hi, Sophia,” she repeats dutifully staring at me. “Sophia pretty.”
“Yeah, she’s really pretty isn’t she?” Tony asks, looking at me.
I forget how to breath for a moment. And then there’s a throat clearing and we all turn to stare at the De Luca matriarch.
“Sophia, please have a seat. You too, Rico,” Maria says gently.
We do so immediately. Tony drops Cassie back in her chair and I take a seat beside him. Maria calls for dinner to be served and while the food is good, the silence is slightly unnerving.
“Yeah I can’t take this anymore,” Elena suddenly says midway through the meal. “We’re sorry for being so awkward, Sophia. We’re not doing it on purpose.”
“Tony has never brought any women home before,” Maria states. “And he’s certainly never looked at any woman like she hung the moon before as well.”
Beside me, Tony proceeds to choke. I grab a glass of water to hide my smile. I hear Roman chuckle.
“We don’t have anything against you,” Maria continues. “And I’m glad that you’ll be joining our family. Tony’s one of my children and once the two of you are married, you’ll be one of my children as well.”
