Page 96 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

More crickets? Where even are the little fuckers?

An agonizing moment that stretched between them, silence heavy enough to suffocate. Angelo clenched his hands on his lap, bracing himself for whatever Allison might have.

And then, he heard it.

Angelo hadn’t expected Allison to jump at the opportunity, but he certainly didn’t foresee herlaughingat it. And this wasn’t justa small, delicate chuckle. It was a full-on, body-shaking guffaw that started with a teapot whistle and ended in honest-to-God wheezing.

It was the most genuine laugh Angelo had heard in a long time, and he couldn’t help but adore it.

Allison’s entire body moved with the force of her laughter, her shoulders shaking as she slapped her thighs so hard it must have hurt. But she didn’t seem to be in pain—no, she seemed relaxed, thoroughly amused.

Which wasn’t exactly a good sign for him.

“You…” she tried to speak but collapsed to another fit of giggles. “You want me to live with you?” She managed to get out between chuckles. By the time she finished, she was laughing even harder, and Angelo would’ve been offended or pissed if it was anyone but her. But since itwasAllison, he found himself cracking a smile. Her laughter was contagious.

“Yes, sweet girl,” he said, his voice softer now. “I want you to live with me.”

Her giggled only grew louder, more intense, and Angelo couldn’t help but watch her, utterly captivated. He could listen to her laugh like this forever and never tire of it.

“That’s a good one,” she said after she calmed down, wiping literal tears from her eyes. “You really know how to be funny.”

Angelo prepared himself for the imminent destruction that would rain down on him once Allison realized he wasn’t joking.

“Allison,” he said in that tone she seemed to love so much. He loved it just as much because of how responsive she was to it. He only had to utter her name once to make her grow serious, like nothing mattered more than hearing what he had to say. “I need you to listen very carefully,ómorfi.”

The Greek word for “beautiful” slipped out unexpectedly, a rarity for him since usually reserved Greek for hismamá. But instead of regretting it, Angelo felt the air between them shift.It grew more tangible, heavy enough that Allison’s breathing quickened, her eyes darkening as her gaze locked onto his. She licked her bottom lip swiftly, discreetly, but he was so tuned into this woman’s frequency that he noticed everything.

She liked it.

Right then, he decided he’d say as many Greek words as she wanted if it meant she’d keep looking at him like that.

“Okay,” she whispered as he moved impossibly closer, her posture relaxing instantly. Angelo felt a surge of power—not because he could control her, but because she was choosing to let her guard down, trusting him. The realization sent a thrill through him, threatening to send him to an untimely death. It was a heady feeling, knowing that such a strong, independent woman like Allison Pink Lockwood was putting her faith in him.

“You’re currently twenty weeks pregnant, sweet girl. Your third trimester is fast approaching and youwillneed help,” he whispered, afraid to break the spell between them. “I want to be there for you. Let me.Please.”

He was pleading with her for the second time in as many hours, but he didn’t care. He’d beg on his knees if it cane to that—and he knew he’d enjoy the view.

Allison didn’t reply immediately, which Angelo took as a good sign. At least she hadn’t outright refused.

“I don’t understand,” she said finally, her voice laced with confusion.

He knew she understood, but he gave her some time to process. “Why live together? Why can’t we just…”

“Just what, Allison?” he prompted when she trailed off. “You’ll get tired more easily. You’ll need someone to help you with everything, even something as simple as a supermarket run,” he said, chuckling softly.

“I can have my brothers help me. They could—”

“You and I both know that’s not the same, Allison.”

Angelo could tell she wasn’t the type to ask for help, not even from her brothers. And while he believed they cared for her, he wasn’t taking any chances. Not when it was up to him.

Allison huffed, turning away from him, but didn’t deny the truth.

Gotcha.

“So, what? I justmove inwith you?” She scoffed, looking away and crossing her arms defensively. “I barely even know you.”

“Oh, that’s not true either, pet,” he said, his voice low, though his tone had shifted.

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