Family Ties (Morelli Family 4)

Unfortunately, we can’t dance forever. Eventually we wander off to grab glasses of champagne and circulate. We visit Sal’s mom first. I can tell how happy he is she came, so I’m thrilled. She’s still not quite asking me to call her mom, but she’s not mean to me, and after the olive branch she extended today, I’m fairly certain given a little more time she’ll come around.

I catch sight of Ethan with his arm around a woman I still haven’t met. I invited Willow to my bridal shower, but apparently she had to work that day. I need to meet her. Mateo wants to buy me a housewarming present—some piece from the art gallery Willow works at. I told him we didn’t really need any paintings, but he assured me he needs them even less. Still, he told me to pick something out and make it expensive. I think he’s plotting. Sal figures it has something to do with Adrian wanting Ethan to work for Mateo, but Ethan completely hating Mateo. He’ll probably hate him a smidge less if Mateo’s money starts rolling into Willow’s gallery and she can impress her boss with her connections.

That sounds like my brother, so I think that’s probably right.

Sal takes me on rounds to meet men I don’t know, guys who work for him, apparently. I guess since I’m the boss’ wife now, I should make an effort to know his guys. At least none of them seem to openly dislike me for my Morelli connection, but then that was more Sal’s dad’s issue than theirs.

Maddie is dragging Mark onto the dance floor as he balks. I decide to take a dance break and I haul Sal out there to dance next to them.

“What’s wrong, Mark? Do you have a one-dance limit?”

Maddie rolls her eyes as she positions his hand on her waist and makes him dance with her. “No, he’s probably just afraid I’ll dull the memory of him dancing with his beloved.”

Mark rolls his eyes. “Jealousy isn’t attractive, Madeline.”

Maddie guffaws. “Someone tell that to Psycho Barbie.”

“She’s not psycho,” Mark mutters. “She just makes bad decisions.”

“Yeah, well, apparently jealousy looks goddamn adorable on her,” Maddie says lightly.

I feel the need to defend Mia, even though Mia likes Maddie equally as much. “Mia’s actually really, really nice. Just not to attractive women who put hands on Mateo.”

“Like his fiancée?” Maddie asks, amused. “Since she’s firmly in side-bitch territory, she needs to calm her tits.”

“You know what else isn’t attractive?” Mark asks, raising an eyebrow. “Meanness.”

“I’m not mean.”

“You’re the meanest person who has ever been mean.”

Maddie rolls her eyes. “You’re brainwashed.”

“Some of the best people are,” I put in.

Sal grins, tugging me closer. “That’s true.”

While Maddie and Mark bicker, I see Ethan and Willow have gravitated over to Adrian and Elise. Since we can kill two birds with one stone, I take Sal’s hand and lead him off the floor.

Ethan smiles as we approach, draping an arm around Willow’s waist and leaning in to murmur in her ear. She turns to face us, glancing from me to Sal. There’s no sisterly fondness when she looks at him, but she seems a little guarded in general.

Ethan gives Sal a handshake and Sal glances at Willow. He doesn’t seem any more excited to see her than she is to see him. I’m definitely repairing this relationship when we get back from our honeymoon.

With that end in mind, I offer her my friendliest smile and reach forward to shake her hand. “You must be Willow. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Looking faintly surprised, she says, “Really?”

“Oh, yeah. Sal’s told me all about you,” I add, turning to place a hand on his chest. “I met your fiancé here once, but it’s nice to finally meet Sal’s other sister. Thank you so much for coming to our wedding.”

“Of course. Thanks for inviting us. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the shower.”

“No problem. Thanks for selling us your house,” I return lightly.

Cocking her head in Ethan’s direction, she says, “His house. I don’t have a house yet. Though now that I have a trust fund, maybe we’ll change that soon.”

“Oh, shit. I forg—I’m so sorry for your loss.”

She shrugs, like it literally doesn’t matter. “Don’t worry about it. One less criminal terrorizing Chicago.” Her gaze flits to Sal. “Well, I guess not.”

Faintly grimacing, Ethan puts a hand around her waist and tugs her into his side. “Clearly we’re not mob family people.”

“We’ll see,” Adrian says, tipping his glass at him with a smirk and taking a drink.

“We won’t,” Ethan tosses back.

“You’re gonna come to family dinner one of these days.”

“Don’t do it,” Sal says, shaking his head. “I think they put something in the food. Just showing up once makes you start to like them.”

“Because we’re awesome,” I state, like it’s obvious.