Page 48 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

“Oh, just the normal comments about wanting to know if we are really friends or not. What your background is. The best was this might be the most normal man they’ve seen with me in years.”

His mind was spinning with all the information but landed on the last one.

“If they think I’m normal, then I’m already winning.”

She shoved his arm again. That playful move that made him want to do it back.

No, it made him want to grab her, yank her close, have his mouth slant over hers and kiss her the way he hadn’t kissed a woman in years.

“I said the same thing.”

“Did you?” he murmured, putting his drink to his lips. Anything to get his mind offherlips.

Those unpainted ones that were plump and looked very kissable.

“Yep, I did. Thanks for coming with me tonight. It’s been entertaining for sure.”

“Glad to help.”

Her head angled. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I am. It’s been good. I think it’s just been nice getting out with people again. I feel I’m starting over in more than one way.”

“It’s just like riding a bike. You’re doing great.”

“Thanks.”

He hadn’t realized how much he needed to hear that.

“Sounds like the auction is going to start,” she said when there was talking over a microphone. “Time for you to go to the casino.”

“I can watch and see how things go,” he said.

“Don’t do it for me.”

“Are you bidding on anything?”

“Nah. Nothing really caught my eye. I have in the past, but it’s not required. You’d be surprised how few of my cousins do. It’s not about us as much as being here for everyone else.”

“You and your family’s presence brings in the money?” he asked. Now he got it.

There had to be over two hundred people moving around. Some doctors he’d been introduced to who worked out of Boston. Maybe only a quarter of the people here were those that lived on the island, or so he thought.

“That’s it,” she said. “Which means I can go into the casino with you. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

He was starting to think he already was.

16

CAN HANDLE THAT

“You didn’t need to buy anything,” Gabriela said as he drove back to her parents’ house.

“I really liked that vase,” he said. “But it’s not for me. My mother’s birthday is in a few weeks. I’ll see them next week and give it to her. I get to be the hero.”

That caught her off guard. “You’re going home for Thanksgiving?”

“No. My parents are coming here. I didn’t want to deal with airports or travel. They arrive Tuesday and are staying until the following Monday. Actually, they are staying with me until Friday morning, then the weekend in Boston.”