Page 10 of The No Falling Rule
“And you exude…” He lets the word hang between us, eyes glinting.
“What?”
“Everything,” he says with a faint smile. “And I’m still greedy for more.”
I bite my lip, smiling despite myself. “Why don’t we start with this week?”
He inhales through his teeth, gaze heating. “How do you feel about being my plus-one at a wedding?”
I blink. “A wedding?”
A deep chuckle rumbles in his chest. “Yes, my niece is getting married on Christmas Eve.”
My mouth forms a perfectO. I must look ridiculous.
Wait—didn’t he say he was thirty-two? How does he have a niece old enough to get married?
“My oldest brother is fifteen years older than me,” he says, clearly reading my mind.
I nod, smiling as I take another sip of wine. “If you really mean it, I’d love to spend as much time as possible with you before the wedding,” I admit.
His answering smile is pure satisfaction—like he just won the lottery.
“But my sister’s here with me,” I add quickly. “And I don’t want to ditch her for some good dick.”
The words are out before I can stop them. My hands fly up to cover my mouth as Diego bursts out laughing—deep, unrestrained, gorgeous laughter that fills the night air.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to say that,” I mumble, my face burning. “At least… not out loud.”
He’s wiping tears from his eyes by the time he catches his breath. “Let’s make a pact,” he says finally.
I glance up from my wine glass, curious.
“We’ll have fun this week,” he continues. “We’ll do as much—or as little—as you want. You set the pace.”
I nod slowly, my pulse kicking up.
“But I have one condition,” he adds. “You’ll come with me to the wedding.”
I hesitate, mulling over his offer.
“I need to check with my sister,” I say after a beat. “But… yes. As long as we don't fall for each other.”
Our glasses clink, a soft chime cutting through the sound of the waves.
I can’t help the little flutters that spark in my chest.
Oh God, please let me enjoy this week without getting hurt.
Chapter 4
Mia
The waiter arrives with the main course, and my mouth instantly waters. I used to eat more seafood back in Texas than I do now in North Carolina.
Rain and Ruin—my friends from town—keep telling me we need to drive out to the coast to get the real thing, buta five-hour trip usually kills any craving I might have.
We fall into an easy rhythm, chatting as we eat, and before long, I’m learning everything about Diego Grosso: businessman, entrepreneur, and apparently, great conversationalist.
