Heavy
footsteps precede the next words. “I’m not an idiot, Luke.”
Relief rushes through me when I hear Rocco’s voice and see him round the corner from the stairs.
“You left this beautiful woman all alone.” Luke points at his brother. “What the hell did you need to get that took you away from her?”
I laugh aloud.
Rocco’s lips cut into a smile. “Lavender bubble bath.”
“Who the fuck are you and where’s my brother?” Luke peers past Rocco’s shoulder.
“Inside.” Rocco directs him into the apartment with a hand on his back.
Seeing them side-by-side is remarkable. There’s no doubt they’re brothers. They share the same smiles. Luke is an inch or two taller than Rocco, and his hair is shorter, but their jawlines are identical, and the way they narrow their eyes is the same.
I move to the side when Rocco closes the apartment door, locking it again.
“My roommate has some people over.” Luke picks up the duffel bag. “I was going to crash in the spare, but if you need me to go, I’ll hit up Nash’s couch.”
Rocco looks to me. The hesitation in his eyes tells me everything I need to know.
“You’ll stay,” I say even though it’s not for me to decide. “I should get home.”
I should be disappointed over the missed bubble bath, but I’m not. I shove my hand at Luke. “I’m Dexie...”
“Walsh.” Taking my hand in his, he finishes for me. “Luke Jones.”
I smile knowing that Rocco must have mentioned me to him.
He turns his attention to his older brother. “Gina told me about Dexie. She can’t keep a secret. You know that.”
My smile dips into a frown. “I’ll get dressed and leave you two to visit.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Rocco shoots Luke a look. “Don’t go to bed. I need a word.”
“One word?” Luke jabs his finger into Rocco’s shoulder. “Since when are you a man of few words?”
“Make some coffee.” Rocco swats Luke’s hand away. “Make mine...”
“Extra, extra hot,” Luke and I say in unison.
“I like you.” Luke wags a finger at me. “I like the pink hair too.”
Tonight didn’t turn out exactly the way I want, but I can’t complain. I got a small glimpse into Rocco’s life and I like what I’m seeing.
Rocco’s heart is as big as the ocean when it comes to his family. He’s everything I could ever want in a man. I can only hope I’m everything he wants in a woman.
Chapter 44
Rocco
I gaze out the window at Dexie. She ducked into her bathroom when she got home. She’s still wearing the shirt that she put on earlier. It’s my shirt.
I like that she’s going to sleep in it.
She blows me a kiss and I pretend to catch it in my fist before I touch my hand to my lips.