Page 46 of Defensive Zone

She had told him that they were never kissing again when he’d bumped into her in the hallway last night, but he hadn’t believed her for a second.

“That’s Auntie Gabi,” Amelia said.

“Oh, another sister?” Mrs. Lanzi asked.

“No, Gabi’s my best friend, and an exceptional nanny, so I dragged her to San Francisco with me.”

“Wonderful. You’ll love it here. Welcome to Lanzi’s, Gabi,” Mrs. Lanzi said.

“Thank you. I’ve heard your food is amazing,” Gabi said.

“I like to think so, but apparently, no chicken for Connor tonight. I’ll have Anthony whip up a plate of our best pastas for the kids to pick from.”

“You don’t need to do that,” Ava said.

“Yes, I do. Spoiling little kids is what I do best.” She winked. “I’m still waiting for my girls to give me grandkids, so for now, I spoil all the other babies.”

“I’ll make sure to share that message with Finn,” Max said, chuckling.

She grinned. “Good. I’m not getting any younger, you know?”

“You’re only twenty-nine, right?”

“Such a charmer, you are. I’ll bring out a few family-style platters and you can pick and choose, okay?”

“Sounds perfect,” Max said.

“So, just friends, huh?” she asked, her gaze moving between Max and Gabi again.

Ava laughed. “Like oil and water.”

“Even better,” Mrs. Lanzi said before turning to walk toward the kitchen.

Max bit back a chuckle as Gabi glared up at him. Then she grabbed a piece of bread and shoved it in his mouth.

“Violent much,” he said around the perfect, fluffy Italian bread.

“Sometimes the only course of action is to shove something in his mouth,” a grinning Nessie said as he stopped in front of their table with Riley next to him.

“So harsh, Nessie,” he said, taking a bite of the bread.

“Hi, everyone,” Riley said with a smile.

They exchanged greetings. Nessie had met Ava years ago when Max had been playing in Carolina and Nessie and Max’s family had come down for a few games. And Max knew that Riley and the other WAGs had gone out of their way to make Ava, Gabi, and the kids feel welcome. He was grateful for the family element of his team, especially when he’d made Ava uproot her family and move in with him.

That welcome was exactly what his sister needed. And any extra support they could provide, he would encourage. And yes, maybe there was a selfish part of him that hoped if the kids and Ava settled in, they would stay.

And Gabi, too. He bit back a grin, thinking about Mrs. Lanzi’s comments. The woman was not subtle, and Max couldn’t find it in him to care.

His hand brushed along her thigh when he adjusted his napkin. It was an innocent touch, unconsciously done, and he bit back a smirk when she stiffened, but she didn’t push his hand away or pinch him.

Fuck. He wanted to kiss her again. He didn’t care what she’d implied to Mrs. Lanzi. She might not want to want him, but she definitely did, at least physically, and he’d take that for now.

“Want to join us?” he heard Ava ask, and he turned his attention away from Gabi to catch his friend’s arched brow.

“We don’t want to impose,” Riley said.

“You’re not. Sit down,” Max said. “I bet the kids would like to hear about Chicklet.”

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