“I’m Nicco, and this gorgeous woman is my wife, Jariah.” Beaming with pride, he rested a hand on her stomach. “And this little one is Nicco Morretti Jr.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“Welcome to the family,” Nicco said, with a smile.
Sharleen laughed. It was impossible not to like Nicco—he was charming and outgoing, and she was touched by how he treated his wife. While they waited for Emilio, they chatted about the luxury cars on display and the record-breaking temperatures.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for weeks, and now that I have, I understand why my cousin adores you,” Nicco said. “So, when’s the wedding?”
Sharleen felt her mouth dry and her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“Nicco, leave her alone.” Jariah wore a sympathetic smile. “You’ll have to forgive my husband. We just came from Lamaze class, and the birthing videos always make him emotional.”
“What can I say?” he said, throwing his hands in the air. “Love is a beautiful thing!”
The women laughed.
“Marriage definitely agrees with you, Nicco,” Emilio said as he reached them. “I’ve never seen you look so good!”
Nicco hugged Emilio and introduced him to Jariah. There were more hugs and kisses and plenty of laughs as the couples chatted.
“I hope you’re not over here giving my girlfriend a hard time.” Emilio glared at his cousin, but a broad grin was on his mouth. “It took me weeks to win her over, and I won’t have you undoing all of my hard work.”
Your girlfriend? God, I love the sound of that!
Sharleen thought her heart would burst with love when Emilio draped an arm around her waist and kissed her on the lips. He smiled knowingly at her, as if he had a trick up his sleeve, and affectionately stroked her neck and shoulders. His touch would never get old, would never fail to excite her, even if they were married for sixty years.
“Let’s go eat.” Emilio said. “Posing for pictures and signing autographs might look easy, but it’s hard work!”
* * *
Three hours later, the couples were sitting outside on the wraparound deck at Nicco and Jariah’s mansion, sipping cocktails and shooting the breeze. Too full to move, Sharleen sat back comfortably in her seat and crossed her legs. Dinner had been a five-course feast, and everything on the table—from the poached oysters to the Italian lamb—had been delicious.
“The big day is almost here,” Emilio said. “Are you ready for the baby’s arrival?”
Nicco shook his head. “Not yet. I still need a few more weeks to finish the nursery.”
“And if the baby comes early?”
“Then I’m screwed!”
The men chuckled, and the jovial expression on Emilio’s face made Sharleen laugh, too. His skin had browned in the sun, making him look even more attractive. It was obvious he was having a great time with his cousin, and Sharleen enjoyed seeing this playful, fun-loving side of him. He entertained them with stories from his childhood, told them about the first—and only—time he’d changed his nephew’s diaper and spoke openly about how Lucca had changed his life.
“Having children will enrich your lives in ways you couldn’t imagine.”
“I wholeheartedly agree,” Nicco said. “That’s why I’d like to have five or six kids.”
Jariah gestured to her stomach with a nod of her head. “Can I have this baby first, before you start pressuring me to have another one?”
The couple laughed and shared a kiss.
Sharleen glanced at Emilio, sensed that he was still thinking about his nephew and took his hand in hers. Their eyes met, and for a long moment they stared at each other, oblivious to the world around them.
“I found it!” Ava, Jariah’s six-year-old daughter, burst through the French doors, waving a soccer ball in her hands. “I’m ready to show you my moves, Uncle Emilio!”
“Ava, honey, not now,” Jariah said, hugging her daughter to her side. “Let your uncle finish his dessert. You can play soccer later.”
Her face crumbled. “But I want to play now.”
Emilio stood and smiled at the adorable girl with the short black curls. “Lead the way, Ava. I’m right behind you.”
“Hey, wait for me!” Nicco jumped up, scooped his stepdaughter in his arms and nuzzled his chin against her cheek. “That’s what you get for trying to leave me behind!”
She giggled uncontrollably. “Sorry, Dad, I didn’t mean to.”
“Next time you try to ditch me I’ll bring out the Tickle Monster.”
Ava gasped in horror, and everyone laughed.