Page 30 of Harvest of Love
“Fernet,” Gio says simply, watching for my reaction.
The drink is bitter, but there’s a faint sweetness on the back end that makes it interesting.
“You like it?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Not terrible, but not my favorite,” I admit, taking another sip.
“It’s an Argentinian drink—we mix it with cola,” he says with pride.
“Next time, I’m inviting you all over to my place and having you try coquito.”
We clink glasses. I take one more sip. This stuff is growing on me—or maybe I needed a drink after the adrenaline rush of meeting my in-laws.
“Manny, the man of the hour!” Miles calls out as we step onto the back porch. A chorus of greetings follows as I make the rounds, hugging each of my friends.
“I’ve been dying to ask,” Miles starts once I drop onto the huge sectional Gio has set up on one side of the porch, “did your pipes work?”
I frown.
Xander stifles a laugh, quickly joined by Merlin.
“You know… being old and all, I wasn’t sure if you could perform when you finally had Daisy…” Miles trails off as laughter explodes around us.
“Fucker,” I mutter, shaking my head. “Only you’d think I’m old and useless.” I stand, grab him by the back of his neck, “I’ll have you know, my lady has beenthoroughlysatisfiedwith my performance.”
A chorus of “Yes, Manny!” and “Finally someone got Miles!” echoes around, and I can’t help but laugh. These guys are definitely my people.
Miles pulls me in for a half-hug. I know he’s joking, so I let it roll off..
“Good to see you joining us tonight, Merlin,” I say, greeting the youngest MacAllister as I sit again.
He nods, fiddling with the label on his bottle. “It was nice of my older siblings to finally let me join in the fun.”
For a moment, I feel bad. It must be hard growing up in these titans’ shadows.
“Okay, we need to settle this before the women come back,” Xander says, shifting on a loveseat by the fireplace. “Did you ask her to be your partner, or did she have to ask?”
I roll my eyes. These men can pretend to complain about their women all they want, but they’re just as nosy and invested as the ladies are.
“All I’m going to say is that we had a perfect first date—thanks to all of your recommendations.”
A boom of boos and cries of “lame” rise up, and I chuckle.
“Why does it matter who asked who? If you must know, I did ask her.” My grin stretches wide. “I haven’t been more nervous in my life. Had she said no, I’d have needed an intervention. Imagine not only losing the woman who made me see in color again, but also oneof the closest people to Tommy in this town.” I shudder at the thought.
“Damn, good point,” Miles chirps. “Imagine losing the nanny three months into the school year.”
I narrow my eyes at him, suddenly feeling protective. I don’t like that term one bit when it comes to Daisy. The fucker grins, all shit-eating smugness, so I share a little more.
“Listen, I met her family today. I think the termnannyis no longer appropriate for who Daisy is to me.”
“That’s right. You met your in-laws. When’s the wedding, then?” River asks, voice flat as ever, hands in fists on his lap, blue eyes locked on me with a scowl.
“River, really?” Xander beats me to it. “You’re honestly asking Manny when he’s marrying his girl when you can’t even ask a girl out?”
The porch goes dead silent. River exhales hard through his nose. For a second, I think he’s going to deck Xander. They’re about the same height, but River carries at least twenty extra pounds of muscle.
“I’m not sure why you all can’t understand—I’m not interested in a relationship. And I don’t mean it in a Miles way. I don’t want to sleep with a woman and never speak to her again. I just don’t think I can…” His voice trails off, and we’re all staring, waiting.
