[Dawn]
I can’t help but stare at Aldo againlike a total creep. He’s still chatting with Luca, but now a few more men have come.
A waiter appears out of nowhere and gives them all a drink, they say cheers, and Aldo looks my way. He winks and drinks.
Aldo and Luca are talking seriously now while they cook at the barbeque. I can’t tell what it is, but knowing Aldo, it’s probably work-related. Just going over more details and ideas. He’s been a good addition to Luca’s men.
He was always worried about how the merge would go. Not that he said it. I could just tell how much it worried him. I’ve known him since we were kids.
I head inside and check in at the kitchen with the catering staff; they’re preparing dinner for the adults and dessert for the kids. .
I exit and find a corner of the patio to take a break. I enjoy another glass of champagne and some pizza rolls. The sun is setting, and even though I’ve seen a Miami sunset every day of my life, I take the time to stop and enjoy it.
The sun turns gold, spreading across the horizon. The sky shifts from blue to pink, then orange, lighting up Sophie and Luca’s beachfront.
The sand shimmers and mixes with the water for a few moments, and then the brilliance blinds me for a second.
I blink and close my eyes.
“Beautiful, huh?”
I open them. Aldo’s in front of me. His shirt is unbuttoned a few buttons down from the neck, and a little pec is showing. He’s been allowed to relax, and so he is. He’s got a drink in his hand and a swagger in his step. But he’s not looking at the sunset, he’s looking at me.
“I just felt I had to watch it today,” I reply. “Couldn’t tell you why.”
Aldo smiles, and it’s warm and inviting, pulling one from me as well. “I could say the same.” He sits next to me. “I’ve heard all about your day. You’ve been busy. Luca and Sophie are super appreciative.”
“I’m sure they are.” I try to smooth my dress without being so obvious. I feel like I’ve worn the wrong dress to a kids party. In fact, I did. I sit here right now, right next to Aldo, knowing why I picked this one of all my dresses. “They’ve been busy all day too, though, ” I add.
“They’ve had to entertain the parents. I think they hoped inviting all the kids from the play group would help, but I think a few of them have become a bit needy.”
We both giggle, and I feel like I’m 12 years old again. That was when I first realized I liked him. Aldo has always been my brother’s friend, and the two used to play every day ever since they moved to Miami.
But I remember one summer as kids, Andre was away with Mom for something, and he had come around to play. Well, it was just me, and we ended up giggling for an hour over farts. We were kids. We were idiots. But I remember laughing with him and realizing how good it felt.
“You need help with anything?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m just preparing some snacks for the parents now, if you want to help? Gotta head back into the pantry there and get them.” I gesture with my head behind us.
“Need height, then?” he asks, grinning.
I snort as his tease.
“I’m not short but I won’t say no. It feels like it’s been only me running things. I think I may have even been mistaken for the pinata at some point too.”
Aldo laughs, and it makes me want to share more of the day. “The kids are good though. Parents, well, we won’t go there. But the kids are nice.”
We move from the patio into the prep area.
“I think kids just know how to have fun.” Aldo leans against the counter and clasps his hands together, staring at me.
No real appliances here, but there’s plenty of storage. And what I need is behind a set of flush doors, that I pry open.
“Speaking of which, you seem more chirpy,” I say. “You’re finally feeling better?” I walk down the hallway and begin stacking things on the counter within the pantry.
Aldo doesn’t say anything, he just shrugs and comes around the counter, following me in.
His presence fills up the small room, and he reaches for the roasted nut mix I’ve been trying to take down. He gets them with ease and hands them to me. “Here you are.”
“Thank you. Now that one,” I point to another box further in the pantry and higher. He reaches and grabs it too, his shirt riding up ever so slightly. I see his muscles and trace their shape as they disappear below his waist band.
“Anymore?” he asks, turning back and handing it to me.
We’re practically pressed against each other. I can smell the scent of him. His hint of cologne. His hands brush against me handing over the nuts. I take it and lick my lips, but no words come out.
“Uh, yes,” I finally blurt, having turned away.
I place the nuts on the counter and come back. I squeeze past Aldo, my heart hammering in my throat.
The tension between us has tripled.
Fuck.
It’s like out of nowhere, he’s finally acknowledging me. It’s like-maybe it’s too good to be true? Is this how he’s getting back at Lindsey? For her cheating on him? Is this-