Page 62 of Square Deal

I hope your night is worse. Get some sleep.

16

ISAAC

Iwalked through the front door and kissed Maddie on the cheek before giving Luca a backslapping bug. “Congrats, man. You start planning your retirement now that you’re an old married man?”

Luca threw his head back and laughed. “Pretty sure you told me to start saving for retirement when you invested in the company.”

“And did you?”

Luca gave me a look that said,No shit, Sherlock.

I was one of Luca’s first investors for DeRossi Hospitality. He could cook like no one else, had a big vision for the company, and was more fiscally responsible than most restaurateurs. That translated into profitable businesses and happy employees.

His most recent acquisition turned out pretty damn well. Not only did he buy Revanche—an award-winning restaurant here in Beaufort—he also found himself a wife.

Maddie showed me to the guest room. After finding the house for Luca and overseeing the sale, I could navigate it like it was my own. But I tolerated that pesky southern hospitality Maddie always insisted on.

“Feel free to take a nap or relax. You’re probably tired from… Where were you again?” Maddie asked.

“Dubai.” The trip was so fast, my body wasn’t sure what time zone it was in. Hell, I hadn’t even had time to text Hannah and tell her I was in town. It was Thanksgiving, and Luca insisted I didn’t spend it alone, eating take-out.

I faintly remembered Hannah saying she was spending Thanksgiving with Chase and Kristin before packing for New York.

I’d give her space today and then surprise her on the plane tomorrow.

“Thanks, Maddie.”

“Did you find anything to do after the wedding?” she asked innocently. There was something brewing behind her gray eyes. The wicked smirk on the corner of her mouth was a dead giveaway. “I know Beaufort can be a little quiet in the off-season. I would just hate it if you were bored.”

She didn’t seem sorry in the slightest.

I chuckled and shook my head. “Left the inn the morning after. Had to get back to the grind.”What I did in the hours between the end of the wedding, when I crashed at Hannah’s, and when I finally hopped on a plane would stay between Hell Yes Ma’am and me.

Maddie tossed her platinum blonde hair over her shoulder and said, “Pity you weren’t able to spend more time here.” She turned and lingered in the doorway. “Anyway, you rest up. I’ll send Luca to come get you when the food’s ready.”

Whatever Maddie was up to, I didn’t care. Sleep was a good idea, even if it was just for a few minutes.

When I finally rolled over and opened my eyes, it was damn near two o’clock in the afternoon.

Fuck. I slept straight through lunch.

I slid back into my dress pants, tucked my shirt in, straightened my tie, and slipped on my loafers. If this was a formal affair, I’d come back and grab my suit jacket. But if the ruckus coming fromthe direction of the kitchen was anything to judge the afternoon by, it was going to be laid back.

I padded down the hallway and turned the corner. The kitchen was packed. Luca and Maddie were shouting orders and the rest of their friends were in a tizzy, arranging dishes in a giant buffet.

Yeah, it was a good thing I ditched the suit jacket. Everyone wore pants with elastic waistbands. It looked more like a pajama party than a holiday dinner. Then again, my folks aired on the side of occasions that were professionally catered and styled.

The girls were in leggings and yoga pants, and the guys were in sweats.

Except for her.

Hannah looked up from her spot between the sweet potatoes and macaroni and cheese, where she was setting out serving spoons. Her mouth was gaping in shock.

While everyone was in loungewear, she was in a wrap dress with a neckline that dipped low between her tits and a hem that stopped at mid-thigh. Surprisingly, she was barefoot, but I caught a glimpse of her high heels sitting neatly beside the front door.

Luca looked between the two of us and said, “Play nice, children.”

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