Beau, Will’s younger brother, smiles proudly. “I think Dad is a fine role model. If you excuse the crude remarks, belching, the way he leaves the toilet seat up…”
“Hey, kid, I’m paying for your fancy private school,” Rocky reminds him, then chuckles. “At least mention the empty carton of milk in the fridge if you’re going to boast about all traits.”
We all laugh, my eyes meeting Will’s as something passes between us. Everything at this table is a reminder of how silly my thoughts are. We’re family. Granted, we don’t share the same blood, but we were still raised to be one happy family. Whatever happens between us is poor judgment, a momentary lapse and silly to dwell on.
“Will, tell me what’s happening with you. Keep it kid-friendly. We have young ones at the table,” Mom chastises.
Mom and Will have this unique bond. When it comes to Will, she treats him like a son and always has a soft spot for him. Aside from being his godmother, she has witnessed his birth and played an important role in his life from the moment he was born.
“There’s not much to tell, Aunt Charlie. We’re this close to closing a deal, hopefully in the next week. Overall, business is great. It’s a digital era, so as long as you’ve got the right idea and capital, the sky is the limit.”
“Have to agree with you there,” Dad concurs. “The business is exactly where it needs to be. If you continue to focus on these upcoming acquisitions, you know what’s next?”
“Oh?” Mom’s face brightens. “What’s next?”
Will keeps a steady gaze and purposely avoids my curious stare, his shoulders straight with a confident pose. “London, actually.”
“This is new?” Aunt Nikki asks with trepidation. “You’re setting up an office in London?”
“Yes, if all goes to plan.”
“When?” I blurt out, then try to think of something witty to say to cover up my outburst. “Aunt Kate says that summers in London are wonderful.”
What a lame thing to say.
“It’s true,” Dad agrees with a smile. “Nothing at all like ours. We were thinking in a few months.”
“We?” I question, my gaze darting back and forth between them.
“Yes,” Will concludes, his tone rather cold. “Lex has invested capital in our London project. If it weren’t for this, we wouldn’t be expanding so rapidly to dominate the European market. Your father has made me quite a wealthy man.”
“I saw a post saying you’re the hottest billionaire under thirty,” Ava adds with a smirk. “Did you overthrow Dad? Oh, wait a minute, Dad holds the title f
or hottest billionaire over thirty.”
Mom drops her head, hiding her laugh behind her glass.
Will lowers his eyes, shaking his head playfully. “I know, it’s been brought to my attention by my college buddies. With much mocking, of course.”
“My son turned billionaire.” Uncle Rocky bursts with pride. “Who’d have thought?”
“Not quite yet, Dad, almost there,” Will assures him. “Doesn’t mean it’s time to slow down. If anything, we need to move faster.”
Of course, his business ties to my dad now make sense. It’s why they have so much in common and perhaps why they are quite close. It makes me feel all the more stupid for feeling whatever the hell I’m feeling and attempting to kiss him at his place.
“Enough with the boring business talk. Let’s talk about your women,” Ava quips.
Dad and Uncle Rocky chuckle at the same time. Not wanting to hear about Will’s personal life, I lower my head, aimlessly moving the peas on my plate.
“I’m not sure this is acceptable dinner conversation,” Will gently scolds her.
“He’s got no women,” Beau blurts out, unintentionally. “He’s been a broody old brother with some chip on his shoulder for the last two weeks.”
“Oh,” Ava mouths, unable to contain her curiosity. “Are you in love with someone?”
The second she says it, my head shoots up. Is Will Romano in love with someone? It makes sense, he’s incredibly handsome, wealthy, and it must be someone his age. Maybe a new assistant?
He hasn’t reached out to me, and that day in his apartment, he easily said goodbye, not asking me to stay.