I inhale deeply and need to combat a porny moan once I detect the unmistakable notes of garlic and pink sauce. “The meals smells great, Sofia. Can I assist with something?”

“No, my pricey, it’s all able to go. Simply warming within the oven ready for you two to get right here.” She positions herself in between me and Brody and wraps her arms round us. “Come. Drinks and antipasto are within the den. Your good friend is there preserving Carlotta firm.”

She leads us all the way down to a sunken room full of a tufted leather-based sofa, a roaring hearth, and a loaded bar cart. It’s easy however cozy—completely my jam. Drew and Charlee are sitting collectively—virtually nose-to-nose I would add—sipping some amber liquid. When Drew spots us, he instantly scoots to the opposite facet of the sofa, leaving Brody’s sister wanting awfully confused. That’s…fascinating.

“Whatsup, fucker?” Brody says by means of greeting.

Sofia smacks him on the again of the top. “Language!”

“Ow!” Brody whines, rubbing his head. “Mother, I’m twenty-seven. I’m allowed to say fuck.”

“Not in my home, you’re not. Now we have friends—don’t act like an animal. You’re fortunate your nonna is napping proper now.” Turning to me she provides, “Rainey, could I get you a drink?”

“Certain, I’d love a glass of wine.”

She palms me a glass of pink and claps her palms collectively to get everybody’s consideration. “Dinner will probably be on the desk in ten minutes. Don’t be late.” She narrows her eyes at Brody. “Once more.”

I watch for her to go away the room earlier than I smack his bicep. “I advised you she can be mad!”

He rubs his arm. “Why the fuck are all the ladies in my life so abusive? Jesus.”

I roll my eyes. “Cease being a child, Brody. I’m severe.”

Charlee laughs. “Chill out. She’ll recover from it.”

I seize a chunk of mozzarella with salami wrapped round it, moaning once I take a chew of the salty goodness. “God, I’m so hungry. I haven’t had salami in endlessly.”

Brody wraps a hand round my hip and pulls me into his facet. “Honey, if you wish to play disguise the salami, I could make it fast.”

I give him a wry look. “As tempting as that’s, your salami is the rationale your mom is pissed off proper now. I’ll go.”

Charlee will get up from the sofa. “Effectively, I hope everyone seems to be hungry as a result of now we have sufficient meals to feed a military. It’s not a real Sicilian Christmas until you’re consuming nonstop. Mother, Nonna, and I made lasagna, eggplant parm, and puttanesca. For dessert, now we have cannoli, buccellatti, and cassata.”

“Do you suppose your mother and father would thoughts if I moved in?” Drew asks. “I don’t know what half that stuff is however I need it in my stomach.”

Charlee turns her consideration in direction of Drew and appears him up and down appreciatively. “Yeah, my mother all the time goes overboard, however she’ll insist you attempt the whole lot. I would want your assist working off the energy later.”

Drew does this bizarre faux cough factor whereas Brody’s fists clench.

“Charlotte, knock it off,” Brody growls.

She smirks. “Knock what off, B?” When Brody glares at her, she rolls her eyes. “By no means thoughts, I don’t care. I’m going to go wake Nonna up for dinner.”

Brody waits till his sister is out of earshot then factors a stern finger at Drew. “Don’t even give it some thought, dude. I’m activating Bro Code.”

Drew holds his palms up. “Acquired it.”

“What the hell are you two speaking about?” I ask.

“Sisters are off-limits,” Brody explains. “Charlee has a nasty behavior of hitting on my pals so I used to be simply reminding Drew right here that he’s not allowed to do something about it.”

“You’re an fool,” I say.

He smirks and vegetation a kiss on my lips. “Ah sure, however I’m your fool.”

I smile. “You’re.”

He grabs my hand. “C’mon, child, let’s go eat.”

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