Free Dante's Temporary Fiancée by Day Leclaire Page A

course I said no. After all, we’re not officially engaged.” She set the mug on the counter with a sharp click and eyed him in open confusion. “I’m not quite sure what happened after that. All of a sudden it was a pre-engagement gift or welcome-to-the-family gift or—”
    â€œOr a bulldozing gift.”
    Larkin’s mouth quivered into a smile. “Exactly.”
    â€œAnd before you knew it you’d had a total makeover.”
    â€œIs she always like that?”
    â€œPretty much. She’s sort of like a tidal wave. She sweeps in, snatches up everyone in her path and carries them off. There’s no resisting her. You just sort of ride the wave and hope you can slip up and over the swell before you get caught in the curl.”
    Larkin groaned. “I got caught in the curl. A couple curls.”
    He ruffled her hair. “They look good on you.”
    â€œThanks.” She picked up her mug and studied him through the steam. “Now I know where you get certain aspects of your personality. You’re just like her, you know.”
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous—I’m far worse.”
    She grinned, the tension seeping from her body. “Thanks for the warning.” Kiko slipped into the roomjust then and came to sit at Larkin’s feet, leaning against her legs. “How was she?”
    He regarded the dog with a hint of satisfaction. “Let’s just say we came to terms.”
    Laughter brightened Larkin’s eyes. “Let me guess. You gave her more steak.”
    He didn’t bother to deny it. After all, it was the truth. “The Dantes are firm believers in bonding over food. You’ll see for yourself tomorrow night.”
    He’d alarmed her. Not surprising, considering how much had happened in so short a time. “Tomorrow night?” she asked. “What’s tomorrow night?”
    â€œEvery Sunday night the family has dinner at Primo’s.”
    She swallowed. “The whole family?”
    â€œAnyone who’s available.”
    â€œAnd who’s going to be available tomorrow night?”
    â€œIt varies week to week. We’ll find out when we get there, but I’m guessing my parents, at least one of my brothers, my sister, Gianna, and a couple of my cousins.” She turned away, busying herself at the sink rinsing her coffee mug. But he could tell he’d upset her. Where before she was poetry in motion, now she moved in jerks and stops. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
    She set her cup down and turned. Turbulence dimmed her gaze and shadowed her expression. “Look. You don’t know me and I don’t know you. We jumped into this crazy idea without thinking it through. Everything’s been moving so fast since last night that we haven’t even had time to discuss the details or come up with a solid game plan. I just don’t think it’s going to work.”
    â€œNonna and my mother must have grilled you today.”
    Larkin lifted a shoulder. “Sort of.”
    â€œYou must have told them something about yourself.”
    â€œBits and pieces,” she conceded.
    Based on her expression, he figured she’d told them as little as she could get away with. “Clearly, nothing you said concerned or alarmed them. Stands to reason I won’t be concerned or alarmed, either.”
    She caught her lower lip between her teeth in a gesture that was becoming familiar to him. “I didn’t tell them a lot,” she said, confirming his suspicion.
    â€œHere’s what I suggest. Why don’t we spend tonight and tomorrow getting to know each other? If we decide it’s not going to work, we’ll call the entire thing off.” Hell. If anything, his offer had somehow made it worse. “What now?”
    â€œYour mother spent a fortune on my hair and clothes. I can’t just leave. I owe her.”
    â€œI’ll reimburse her.”
    Larkin’s chin