Page 37 of A Royal Disaster
Tía Rosa flattened her lips and planted her hands on her hips as if preparing to challenge his claim. Fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes as she scrutinized him, her gaze unflinching. Fine by him. He’d faced emperors and kings and courts full of conniving courtiers.
He could handle one overprotective aunt.
Probably.
“I believe you mean that,” she finally said, the corners of her lips reaching skyward. “I’m so glad Elena’s finally met a nice man. That last one? Chad? Qué cabrón,” she finished conspiratorially, and although he had no idea what it meant, he knew it was an insult.
Qué cabrón, indeed.
“Tell me, how did you and Elena meet?” she asked, hooking her arm through his and steering him toward an unoccupied corner of the studio. It wasn’t much quieter, the noise level having reached a veritable roar, but at least they wouldn’t be overheard. “I want all the details. Elena hasn’t told me a thing—if you can believe it—and I don’t believe a damn thing in those papers.”
He told her the story of their meeting, placing heavy emphasis on the fact that he’d snuck through the gate and by the time he finished, she was howling with laughter.
“That’s our Elena,” she said, wiping a tear from her cheek. She said it with such affection, it was clear she found Elena as charming as he did. It struck him then; this was how families were supposed to behave. Instead of ridiculing Elena for circumstances beyond her control or pressuring her to be something she wasn’t, Tía Rosa loved her fiercely and accepted her as she was, flaws and all. “Mi cariño has the worst luck.” She laughed and patted his arm. “Oh, the stories I could tell.”
“I can only imagine,” he teased, enjoying the easy flow of conversation with Elena’s aunt. The woman was warm and open, the kind of person you had to know only a few minutes to feel like you’d known them a lifetime.
“I will never forget Elena’s first day of high school. So excited when she left in the morning, but by the time she got home, she swore she was never going back because—”
“Don’t you dare finish that story!” Elena said, appearing at her aunt’s side and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I see you’ve met Prince William.”
“We were just getting acquainted,” Tía Rosa said indignantly, squaring her shoulders. “What choice did I have when you wouldn’t return my calls? Hmm, mi cariño?” She turned back to Liam, smiling impishly. “Come to dinner on Sunday and I’ll tell you the rest of the story. We’ll have pernil y arroz con gandules and get to know each other better.”
“I’d like that very much,” he said as Elena’s eyes grew wide, her earlier panic now a shadow by comparison.
“I’m sure Prince William is busy,” she said, shooting him a meaningful glance. Liam pretended not to notice. This was just the opportunity he’d been waiting for.
“Nonsense. It’s been weeks since I’ve had a home-cooked meal, and I’ve been told there’s nothing better than Puerto Rican food.”
“Qué bueno. Bring your friends,” Tía Rosa said, gesturing at Jack and Ethan. “They look like they could use a nice home-cooked meal too.”
“Ay bendito.” Elena groaned and planted her hands on her hips, mimicking her aunt’s earlier pose. “I think you’ve taken up enough of Prince William’s time. We should let him get back to the children.”
She muttered something that sounded likebefore you start planning the weddingunder her breath.
Liam grinned. “Well, I was thinking of trying my hand at theTree of Life.”
“Perfect,” Elena said, pointing him toward an empty stool on the other side of the studio. “Have at it. The kids will be thrilled to have you join their table.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you,” he said, extending his hand to Tía Rosa. She took it and reeled him in, planting a kiss on his cheek as she wrapped her free arm behind his back and gave him a firm squeeze.
“Handshakes are for strangers,” she said. “We’re practically family.”
Elena made a choking sound and he swallowed his own snort of laughter as he returned Tía Rosa’s warm embrace.
“Now, don’t let this one talk you out of dinner on Sunday,” she whispered, jerking her head toward Elena. “I make the best pernil in the city.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Chapter Eleven
Mierda!What the hell had just happened? Lena chewed her lip as she circulated around the room, unable to focus on anything but the thought of Liam meeting her family. Her entire family. Did he have any idea what he’d just signed up for? No way. If he had, he’d have taken the out she offered.
Sunday dinner was a tradition at Tía Rosa’s. After church, the entire family would cram into her cozy house in the Bronx, too many aunts and uncles and cousins packed into the tight space, all on their best behavior under the watchful eye of her abuela.
Not that it mattered.
Even on their best behavior, her family could be…overwhelming. They were close, always finishing one another’s sentences, talking over one another, and getting into one another’s business. She loved them and wouldn’t change them for the world, but that didn’t mean she wanted to introduce Liam to them.
