Page 62 of Replay
“No, I’m fine, thanks. I’ll find you later!” She gives me an enthusiastic thumbs-up, and I smile awkwardly while making my way towards the bar.
Glancing over, I see Mac and Freya are settled in their little corner with Sloan, Gareth, Leslie, and her husband Theo, plus Allie, and Booker’s wife, Poppy, so I head straight for the bar for some much-needed space. Apparently, it isn’t just Tanner who struggles with boundaries but his wife too. What should I have said, though? That I’m seeing someone and my brother doesn’t know? That would have been a huge opening for questions I cannot answer. This is the trouble about being exclusive with someone in secret.
“Can I get a club soda with lime please?” I ask, splaying my hands out on the bar and feeling a chill run up my spine.
The bartender retreats just as a deep voice whispers in my ear, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
The familiar smell of Santino’s cologne wafts over me, and I can’t fight the smile that spreads across my face. I turn to look at him, my eyes drinking in his pale grey suit. His dark hair is artfully mussed, and it’s literally painful not to stand on my toes and kiss him. “Look at you quotingGodfatherto me.”
“The student surpasses the teacher.” He has a wicked look in his eye that I don’t like. “Plus, it’s a very fitting quote for what I have in store for you today.”
“Which is what exactly?” I glance over my shoulder to see if anyone is looking at us, but Santino doesn’t seem the least bit concerned.
He hands me a small gift bag. “I have a little gift for you.” His eyes dance with mirth.
“A gift is not very discreet.”
“Don’t worry. It’s well concealed at the bottom.” When his eyes drop to my lips, I feel my insides clench with need.
This dating in secret thing wasn’t an issue for me until right this moment. I inhale a cleansing breath and turn my focus to the gift bag. “What’s in here?”
He lifts his brows. “Just a little payback for your cheeky mouth yesterday.”
I fight back a satisfied smirk. “I was just stating a fact that you clearly want me more than I want you. It’s a bit sad, actually. I mean, you are four years my senior. I would think you’d have more control than this.”
He growls and discreetly reaches over and pinches me on the side. I have to fight back a squeal just as my drink gets delivered to me.
The bartender points at Santino. “I’ll have a whiskey on the rocks please.”
My brows lift at his casual order of alcohol in front of me. Strangely, it makes me feel proud. Like he heard me say to him that I could handle him drinking around me, and he trusts my words. I appreciate that level of respect from a man. Growing up Scottish, overprotective men are an everyday occurrence. My granddad, my father, and especially my brother were all certain they knew what was best for me. It’s a wonderful thing to have men that care so deeply, but it can be infantilizing at times.
So, to see Santino respect my words and take them to heart makes me feel seen in a very meaningful way. I shake away the butterflies in my belly and ask, “Do I open this now?”
“No,” Santino barks, holding back a laugh that makes him look young and carefree. “You’ll have to nip into the loo to open it. And…you’ll definitely have to put it on in there. That’s nonnegotiable.”
My cheeks flame with heat. “What on—”
“Fancy seeing you here, Santino,” my brother’s voice cuts in gruffly from the other side of me.
Santino offers Mac a dazzling, unfazed smile. “Hiya, Mac. Nice to see you.”
Mac grunts his displeasure, and his gaze lowers to the drink in my hand. He gets a curious expression on his face before addressing Santino again. “Can I help you with something?”
“No, I’m good. Just having a nice chat with your sister.”
Mac growls and points at the bag in my hand. “What’s that you got there, Tilly?”
“It’s a jersey with your former number, and Logan scrawled on the back,” Santino answers with ease. “I was in the gift shop storage room the other day and found some of your old gear in boxes so I thought your sister might like it. I have another box for you and the family sitting by the door for you to grab on your way out tonight.”
Mac scowls at Santino. “You must be joking.”
Santino’s brows lift. “I’m not. There was even a baby piece in there. A onesie or something?”
“Shit,” Mac barks, clearly as stunned by this entire exchange as I am. “That was rather thoughtful of you.”
Santino shrugs. “Tilly just mentioned she hadn’t been to Tower Park before so I wasn’t sure if she had a kit. I should have known she’d have something to wear.”
He glances at the Bethnal Green pullover I’m wearing, and I sense an opening. “Yes, but my top doesn’t say Logan on the back, and I’d love to represent my retired brother.” I flash a toothy smile to both of them. “I’ll just pop into the loo and have a change.”
