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Marco headed for his et you and Gabriel seated," he said, leading her into the dining room

"Nowhere near the likes of her," Gra what old age will do to a body"

Gabriel leaned close "She’s jealous"

Grammy M smiled and patted his hand "Perhaps I just…" Her voice trailed off "No use crying over spilled milk, as my nana used to say ’Tis her loss"

Brenna waddled into the room "You’re both stubborn," she said as Nic wrapped his arm around her thick waist "You two have been friends for what, thirty-plus years? Why let things get in the way now?"

Grammy M picked up her napkin "Ask Tessa She started it Tellin’ me I had to choose between her and Gabriel As if she resented my happiness That’s not friendship"

Nic patted Brenna’s shoulder "Did I tell you not to get involved? Did you listen?"

"I hate that they don’t talk It’s not right"

Tessa bustled into the room "Sit everyone The food’s all ready Brenna, you’re there, with Nic beside you No, save that seat It’s for Darcy She’ll be across froroan Shit He’d been home less than twenty-four hours and this was Tessa’s second atte

Marco came in with a tray of pasta Colleen folloith baskets of bread Joe retreated to the kitchen, thinking if he helped carry thingsthe center of attention for once

An unnecessary plan, he realized when he returned and found everyone focused on Darcy Jensen as she entered the dining room

She still wore the fitted sundress she’d had on when she’d arrived The black and white fabric hugged slender curves He preferred wo And she sood He’d always been a sucker for that

"If this is lunch, I’m not sure I can face dinner," Darcy said into the silence "It, um, looks delicious"

"It is," Brenna told her "And you’re probably one of those disgusting wo a pound It makes me want to hate you, but I won’t" She waved toward Grarandaret O’Shea Gabriel Reese is her--"

"Paraether without the benefit of n of the cross "So have a seat"

Marco jumped to pull out Darcy’s chair Brenna introduced Nic while Colleen hustled her mother-in-law into the kitchen, no doubt to warn her to back off Joebottles of wine

Lorenzo walked into the dining room and took his place at the head of the table

"Da meal in the middle of the day," he snapped "No one ant to work later"

"I was planning to take a nap anyway," Brenna said cheerfully "I have to, ith not sleeping at night Here’s nancy last three h? I know I’m ready"

"Your time will come," Grammy M promised She turned her attention to Darcy "Welcome, child Hoas your journey?"

"Good I caular travel" Darcy hesitated, as if not sure what to say "I, u me in You’ve all been very kind"

"We’re happy to have you," Colleen said as she walked back into the dining room with another tray This one contained a roast and potatoes After setting everything on the table, she motioned for Joe to take his seat She did the sareat show of tasting his glass of wine, then nodding "Brenna, this is one of yours"

"That merlot-cab blend you didn’t want ly "It’s perfect, isn’t it? I told you it would be" She gazed longingly at the bottle "I swear the first thing I’ drunk I ive up caffeine and processed foods and other alcohol, but I really, really et there," Nic said as he kissed the top of her head

"Easy for you to say," she coet to drink what you want"

Lorenzo waited until everyone had a glass, then raised his "Welcome, Darcy Jensen Welcome to the family"

Brenna raised her water, everyone else picked up their wineglass "Welcome"

Joe looked across the table at Darcy She looked startled by both the words and the gesture, although she raised her glass and smiled

He remembered his first reaction to the Marcelli fa Overwhelmed didn’t cover it The Marcellis tended to suck people up and make them their own Once branded, it was difficult to escape

As the platters and boere passed around, he glanced at her She listened to the conversation around her but didn’t speak much He would have expected her to claim all the attention, but she seemed content to observe She took small portions and didn’t finish them He could see her collarbone and the hint of ribs where her dress dipped between her breasts Did she avoid food because of fashion or so else?

Too skinny Not his type And yet…He felt it--the subtle tension between them A precursor to attraction

Not to worry, he told hi as he didn’t act on it, he was fine No woman orth his career, certainly not this one