Forgotten Luca (The Four 1)

Yeah, this would definitely be us someday if I had my way. The only difference would be that Gio would also be there, saying good night to his little sister or brother.

Remy and I watched Violet for a moment, then I took his hand and led him from the room.

"Thank you," Remy said softly as he held up the flowers. I knew first-date protocol should have had me saying "you're welcome" or something a little more benign, but I couldn't stop myself from just leaning down and covering his mouth with mine. Remy automatically opened for me and let out a little whimper, but I managed to keep the kiss short.

We were still holding hands so when the kiss ended, Remy, looking a little dazed, was the one to lead me. I followed him to the kitchen where Marilyn and Aleks were sitting at the kitchen island having what I assumed was coffee or tea.

"She's asleep," Remy said.

"Oh good," Marilyn said, and then she was rising and hurrying to Remy. "My, you look handsome," the older woman declared as she admired him and then reached out to pat his cheek. While Marilyn was an extremely demonstrative and affectionate woman, I loved how she saved just a little bit more for Remy. I wondered if she somehow sensed that he'd gone for so long without any kind of maternal affection. Remy had seemed hesitant at first to accept the attention, but every day that went by, he basked in it more and more. Even now, his cheeks colored as Marilyn continued to gush over him.

"I had help with my outfit," Remy said as he shyly looked at me, then motioned to Aleks who was watching us with undisguised glee.

"I didn't," I said at the same time that my brothers walked into the room. Con grumbled something about salmon being all the rage right now, but I ignored him and asked Remy, "Are you ready to go?"

More color tinged his cheeks and if we’d been alone, I would've played around with how red I could get them.

Remy nodded and let me take his hand again so I could lead him from the room. There were lots of well wishes and comments telling us to have fun, but at that point I only had eyes for Remy. His hand was damp in mine, so I knew he was nervous. I was too, for that matter.

"I made reservations for us at this place by the water. They supposedly have the best oysters around. Is that okay?" I asked.

Remy nodded quickly. I had a feeling that no matter what I asked him, he'd agree.

While I'd become comfortable enough to reduce the amount of bodyguards keeping watch over us, Terrence and Stan continued to act as my primary security detail. I wasn't sure if Ronan was having any of his men shadowing us anymore, but even if they were, I certainly wouldn't have an issue with it. My only hope was that whenever Remy and I weren't together, every single person was focused on Remy. I remembered what Ronan had told me about all the men and women who kept an eye on his family. He’d said they did it because his family was their family. I'd scoffed at that notion just a few weeks ago, but admittedly, I was envious of that fact now. I liked the idea of Remy being surrounded by people who had a much greater reason than money to protect him from any danger.

Since it was just me and Remy and the two bodyguards, I'd arranged for a car that would allow me to put up a partition between ourselves and Stan and Terrence. I hadn't wanted Remy to feel like this was just any other day. This date was about him and me spending time together, getting to know each other, away from prying eyes and ears.

Once we were in the car, I told Terrence where we were going and then put the partition up. Remy shifted nervously in his seat.

"You look beautiful, Remy," I said. I risked taking his hand and holding it in mine between us on the seat.

"You too… handsome, I mean. Or beautiful. Both, I guess… I mean both, for sure. Not I guess. I mean I don't need to guess that you look good because you do. You look good. Really good."

I smiled as his cheeks went from pink to bright red. He seemed startled by his own inability to get his thoughts out. He shut his eyes and groaned. "Oh God, this is going to be so bad," he said. But then he laughed, and I knew right then that it would be anything but.

I pulled his hand up to my mouth and kissed his knuckles. "It's going to be perfect," I said. Despite the awkwardness of it all, it still felt like the easiest thing in the world just to be with him.