Page 94 of The Best Friend Power Play

This doesn't feel good.

This feels like the best thing in the world.

A few days later, Hannah and I are at my parents' house for an update on the inheritance situation.

The whole clan is here—Nonna, my folks, Malik, Bianca, Farrow, and Sandy. Even my reclusive oldest brother, Brock, drove down from his cabin in the woods to be here.

And it wouldn't be a Palladino family gathering without a mountain of food.

I check in on Nonna since Ma told me she's been cooking up a storm all day. "Can I do anything to help, Nonna?"

"Out of my kitchen," she replies, waving a wooden spoon in the air.

Technically, it's not her kitchen, it's Ma's, but Ma already told me she'd been shooed out of there the moment Nonna arrived first thing in the morning. I think it's some sort of cultural thing. Nonna interprets offers to help in her kitchen as a minor insult. I don't mean to offend her, I just don't want an eighty-year-old woman cooking for our entire family on her own.

But I comply with what she says. "All right, I'm going. Smells amazing, by the way."

Her dark-brown eyes meet mine, and she smiles. "Thank you, mio tesoro."

Brock and I help Pa bring in the outside table and set it, along with the dining table, into the living room so we can all eat in one place.

Half an hour later, that's what we're doing.

Sounds of chatter and laughter fill the cozy living room, as we dig into Nonna's delicious Italian spread. She really went all out, with risotto, lasagna, baked fish, grilled veggies, two types of salads, and my personal favorite of hers—braciola, beef rolls stuffed with breadcrumbs and herbs.

It's moments like these when I'm the happiest. Family. Food. And the most incredible woman in the world sitting next to me. What more does a guy need?

"So how's married life treating you, Culver?" Malik asks.

"You know I'm not above kicking you under the table, right?"

He grins. "That well, huh?"

"It's going fine," Hannah answers, shooting a smile at me before ably deflecting Malik's question by telling everyone about her hot girl summer list.

Meanwhile, I feel bad that I can't be honest with my family and tell them things between us are changing, and that it has nothing to do with the stupid fake marriage and everything to do with very real feelings developing.

But Hannah and I need to be clear on what we are first, and I respect her wish not to rush into things or force a label on what we have.

Which, in a way, is a good thing.

It buys me a little time to get my head sorted and resolve the last vestiges of self-doubt I have.

"That's such a wonderful thing," Ma says, when Hannah finishes explaining. "It's about time you did something for yourself."

Farrow opens his big mouth to say something, but before he can, I direct a question at my oldest brother, who I haven't seen in way too long. "So, Brock, how's mountain life treating you?"

Like Dad, he's a two-time serving vet. His first tour went fine, but during his second, his unit came under fire, and his best friend bled-out in his arms.

It broke him.

When he came back, he needed to get away, and the mountains of Cedar Crest Hollow were the perfect place for him to escape to.

"Good. Quiet. Peaceful."

He's never been much of a talker, but nowadays, he gives Bear from the diner a run for his money in the doesn't like to talk department.

"Maybe I can come up and visit sometime, and we can hang out?"

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