Page 125 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

He handed Allison the plate without a word, and she took it quietly. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

He set the rest of the dishes aside, rinsing the utensils before turning to her, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to reach for her, to bridge the gap between them, but he stopped himself, knowing she needed more than just physical comfort right now.

“Allison,” he began softly, his eyes locking onto hers, jade and full of uncertainty. “I want to apologize. For everything. For how weird I’ve been these past few months. I’ve been thinking about it, and I know my actions—my hot and cold behavior—might have made you feel like I was hiding you from my family. Like I was ashamed.”

He saw her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and it only made him more determined to say everything he’d been holding in.

“In truth,” he continued, his voice lower now, “I’ve been struggling with my own mess. Between my dad’s sudden retirement and trying to figure out what’s really going on, I let myself become selfish. I was trying to protect you and our daughter, but all I did was push you away.” He swallowed hard, guilt pressing down on him. “I was arrogant, and I didn’t realize how much my own issues were hurting you. And I’m so sorry, Allison. You didn’t deserve any of that.”

Allison started to shake her head, her lips parting to protest. “Angelo, you don’t have to—”

“But I do,” he interrupted gently, not giving her the chance to shift the blame onto herself. “I need to say this. You deserve better than what I’ve been giving you. And Iwantto be better. For you. For us.”

Unable to resist any longer, Angelo finally reached out, his thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. The warmth of her skin beneath his fingers made his chest ache, and he leaned in, his lips brushing softly against her forehead in the lightest of kisses. “Please,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Let me make this right. Let me be better for you.”

Allison’s eyes fluttered closed, her breath shaky as she whispered back, “Okay.”

The word was barely audible, but it was enough. Angelo felt an enormous weight lift off his chest, like he could finally breathe again after holding it in for far too long. He nodded once, afraid to speak and ruin the fragile peace between them, and gestured toward the living room with his head.

Now comes the fun part.

It was time to face his sister—who was likely making herself entirely too comfortable on his couch, completely unaware of the emotional earthquake she’d inadvertently caused.

As they walked toward the living room, Angelo threw Allison a quick, sideways glance. “Brace yourself,” he whispered with a smirk. “Katia’s… a lot.”

“You’re pressing your luck,” Allison scoffed, crossing her arms and popping her hip—although her smile remained. That fucking pose of hers.

Angelo felt a rush of heat. He was always drawn to this woman. So he blurted out, “Would you press it for me, sweet girl?”

She froze, and he did too. The immediate thought that flashed through his mind was whether he had gone too far. Had hegotten carried away and made her uncomfortable, as he had before?

Her gaze locked with his, and the air between them crackled with intensity. Without a word, she took a step closer, their breaths mingling. He could feel her warmth, see the desire in her eyes.

In an instant, she reached up, cupping his face with both hands. He leaned in, his heart pounding as their lips met in a heated kiss. It was urgent and consuming, full of unspoken promises and long-simmering longing.

When they finally pulled away, their breaths were ragged. The emotions from earlier were gone, replaced by an electric connection that neither of them could ignore. Angelo’s heart raced as Allison looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with a newfound intensity.

Then, as if the storm had cleared, Allison’s soft smile illuminated her face.

It had the power to knock him flat every time, no matter how many arguments, awkward sibling introductions, or sleepless nights they faced. He grinned back at her, feeling a surge of warmth in his chest that momentarily made him forget about the impending chaos in the living room.

“With you by my side, I can handle anything,” she whispered softly.

“If you say so,” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you. She’s like a tornado in human form.”

Allison chuckled, her eyes sparkling for the first time since this whole awkward encounter began. “I’ve survived you, haven’t I?”

Angelo laughed, raising an eyebrow. “Fair point. I guess if you can handle me, you’re probably overqualified for Katia.”

Together, they walked toward the living room, the tension between them replaced by a newfound sense of unity. Whatever came next—tornadoes or otherwise—they’d face it together.

“No, absolutely not. You’re out of your goddamn mind if you think I’m letting you stay here, Katerina.”

Like I said. Way too much.

Angelo stood in the middle of what could only be described as a battlefield of emotions, trying—and failing—to reason with his younger sister. Katerina had somehow decided that crashing at his and Allison’s place was the most brilliant idea since sliced bread. Angelo, on the other hand, was ready to tear his hair out.

“Why the fuck not?De tha se enohló kathólou—” Katerina started, but Angelo wasn’t having it. Not today.

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