Page 24 of The No Falling Rule
Until now.
Feelings.
Fuuccckkk.
I need to cool it down. Mia saidno falling, and she’s right. She lives in North Carolina. My life’s in Boston. Grosso's expansion plans don’t exactly include a small town in the Appalachian mountains.
As we reach the ceremony area, Dad turns toward us. “Son,” he greets with his usual clipped tone. His eyes flick to Mia, and he gives her a polite smile. It's more acknowledgement than most people get from him—but somehow, it still makes my blood boil.
“Dad, this is Mia Martinez. My plus-one.” I motion between them, hoping—expecting—he’ll at least shake her hand.
But he doesn’t. Just another brief nod before he turns his back.
“I’m going to look for your mother. I’ll see you at dinner,” he says and walks off.
My jawtightens as anger bubbles inside me. How can he be so rude? Is it because Mia’s a guest at the resort? Or just because she’snotpart of our world?
Whatever the reason—it’s unacceptable.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Mia bouncing slightly on her heels. When I glance over, she’s trying to smile, but the discomfort is clear in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, bonita. I didn’t think Dad would be so rude.”
She shrugs, but the flicker of hurt on her face twists something inside me.
“Please, don’t apologize. I’m sure he has a lot of things on his mind,” she says, grabbing my hand.
I lift her hand and press a kiss to the back of it. Her eyes flutter, and my heart soars at the sight. Seeing her relax—seeing herfeel seen—makes me exhale for the first time since Dad walked away.
“Little brother,” Armando says as he approaches with his wife, holding hands like they’re posing for a damn portrait. “Dinner’s this way.” He gestures to my left.
“You didn’t tell me you were bringing someone,” my sister-in-law says, her tone way too chirpy for my liking. “Eva, pleasure to meet you,” she adds, extending her hand toward Mia.
Mia hesitates for half a second, then takes it. Within moments, Eva’s talking animatedly, her forced laughter echoing across the path as they walk ahead of us. Mia smiles politely, though she looks a little overwhelmed by Eva’s energy.
“Really, Diego? The girl you almost drowned is your plus-one?” Armando asks, jerking his chin toward the women in front of us.
I blow out air through my teeth and rake a hand through my hair. “Yes. You got a problem with that?”
“No, of course not,” he says with a chuckle. “So long as it doesn’t distract you too much from business, I don’t care where you get your dick wet.”
I turn so fast, I trip on his shoes, almost tumbling to the floor. “What the fuck did you just say?” I snarl, grabbing him by his jacket.
“Let go, Diego,” he says, unaffected. “I don’t have time for this.”
I shake him before pushing him back. Why do I even bother with my family? No matter what I do, they’ll always have an opinion against it.
“Wait,” he says, catching up to me. “Is this serious?”
“It’s not supposed to be,” I say honestly. I’m done pretending. That’s what Mia and I agreed on.
“But?” he presses, smirking.
“But…” I pause, surprising even myself with the truth that slips out. “I don’t know, Armando. I’ve felt more in the last few hours than I have with any woman I’ve ever dated.”
The moment the words are out, I regret them.
Why the hell did I say that tohim? My brother—the man who’ll use anything to remind me why I’m not ready for bigger responsibilities in the family business.
