Dances with Monsters(70)

She suddenly noticed that Heath was nowhere to be found, and neither were her sisters. She was immediately suspicious, and was contemplating going after them when they reappeared. She wasn't sure what happened, but when they returned, Nik and Toni were smiling innocently and Heath just looked amused. Drew narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything. Instead, she handed him a huge bag stuffed with the white take-out cartons that her parents bought in bulk for no other use than family dinners. His eyes widened.

"It's all for you," she said with a smile. "Pasta, sauce, antipasti, caprese salad, deli meat, half a loaf of Italian bread. Enough food for a week."

"Wow," he said, taking the bag. "Thanks."

Drew gathered up her dishes and stood behind her sisters near the door. Each sister and each husband was holding one sleeping child, so Drew couldn't really say good-bye to them. She'd learned long ago that when the kids fell asleep, she should leave them that way, or face the wrath of Nik and/or Toni.

"What was that all about?" she asked her sisters quietly.

"Nothing you need to be worried about," Nik said, smiling at her.

"We just had a little chat with your boyfriend," Toni added. "You know, just a friendly conversation."

"He's not my boyfriend," Drew replied automatically. "What did you say to him?"

"Drusilla, stop worrying, for Christ's sake," Nik said, leaning toward her baby sister to peck her forehead. "He's a good guy. We like him."

"Really?" Drew asked, although she'd already known that. She glanced at Toni.

"Yes, baby sister," Toni said, kissing Drew's cheek. "We like him. We're just lookin' out for you, kid. We love you, okay?"

Drew hoped that Heath wasn't standing right behind her, listening to this conversation. She glanced over her shoulder and didn't see him in the immediate area, and turned, seeing him talking to her father in the dining room. She moved back toward the dining room, catching the tail-end of their conversation.

"…good man. I like you. You're welcome in my house anytime."

"Thank you, sir," Heath was saying, shaking her father's hand. Mr. Carnevale leaned in, keeping Heath's hand clasped in his.

"But if you ever hurt my daughter, in any way, I got a rifle and a shovel. No one will miss you that much. We clear?"

"Yes, sir," Heath replied immediately, unfazed. "Crystal clear, sir."

"Good." He clapped Heath on the shoulder and spotted Drew just outside the door. "Ah, my sweet girl. I was just telling Heath here how much I like him and that he's welcome back anytime."

"Every Sunday," her mother's voice called back from the kitchen.

Drew laughed and reached out to hug and kiss her father. "That's good to know. Hopefully none of you scared him off. Hopefully we didn't scare him off," she amended.

"Not in the least," Heath said, smiling at her. Her mother hustled in.

"I've got to say good-bye to all my babies!" she exclaimed, hurrying into the living room as though she wouldn't be seeing them ever again as opposed to a few days, if that. In turn, she kissed each of the children, her daughters, and her sons-in-law as they filed out, calling good-byes over their shoulders.

"Good-bye, Heath," Nik called over her shoulder. "Don't forget what we said!"

"Never will," Heath called back. "Nice to see you again."

"Take care," Toni said brightly. "We'll see you soon!"

"The words are friendly, but it always sounds so threatening," Drew mused.

"Good to meet you, man," Vince said, offering Heath his hand. "I'll take you up on the gym offer."

"Absolutely, any time," Heath replied. He shook hands with Ryan and then offered his hand to Uncle Gino. "Nice meeting you, sir."

"Yes," Uncle Gino said, shaking his hand in return. "You take care of my niece. Or it's your ass." He gripped onto Heath's hand for an extended beat, then let go with a nod.

"Yes, sir," Heath answered.

"Okay, bye, Uncle Gino," Drew said hurriedly before any more threats against Heath's life were made. "Bye, Daddy. Bye, Mom. Thanks for dinner. I'll see you tomorrow." She gave her uncle and her parents quick kisses goodbye and then turned to Heath. "Ready?" she asked.

"If you are," he replied. He followed her out the door and across the courtyard. Drew heaved an enormous sigh of relief, glad that the first meeting was over. It would be much less tense and more easy-going next time. If there's a next time, she thought, thinking again of her behavior from the night before.

"You did well," she said, and he smiled.