Black

“Shae.” The way she says this has the hair on the back of my neck standing up. “That’s a unique name.” Breaking eye contact, she looks down at her plate, pushing her food around with a fork before finally taking a bite.

“You okay?” I ask.

“Yes.” She nods, smiling at me before looking at Dante. “Have you, uh…have you met Rex’s friend?”

Dante looks at me, brows drawn low. “I don’t think so. Wait. Was she the girl you were dancing with the other night at the club?”

I grin, remembering her lithe body pressed against mine. “Yes.”

He nods approvingly. “Nice. She was hot. But no,” he says, looking at Mother. “I didn’t get to meet her.”

Her shoulders relax, and she smiles. “Maybe you can bring her around sometime. I’d love to meet her.”

Yeah, that’s not going to happen. “We’ve only gone out once,” I tell her. “It’s a little early to meet the family.”

“Right. You’re right.” Mom’s phone vibrates on the table. She looks down at it, frowns, and tucks it in her purse. Wadding up her napkin, she tosses it on the table and stands. “Sorry to cut this short, boys, but I’ve got to go.”

Dante and I stand with her. “You haven’t finished your food,” I say, looking at her full plate. “Are you sure you’re okay?” It’s completely out of character for my mother to walk away from us mid-meal. Especially when it’s a meal she orchestrated.

“I’m fine, darling,” she says, giving us each a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “Something just came up, and I’ve got to go.” Slipping her arms in her jacket, she shrugs it on and points a steely finger at us. “Get started on my party,” she says lightly. “Make it a good one.”

Dante and I both nod and verbalize our agreement before dropping back into our seats as she makes her way to the front of the restaurant.

“That was weird, right?” I ask.

Dante goes back to eating his meal as though nothing happened. He shrugs. “Our entire family is weird. You’re probably reading too much into it. But now that Mom’s gone, tell me about Shae. From what I saw the other night, she’s smokin’ hot.” He gives a low whistle. “Gorgeous body, killer smile—at least from across the room.”

The look on his face tells me he’s picturing Shae, and it’s a good thing he’s my brother or I’d have to slap him.

“Is it serious? You really like this girl?”

I do like her. The chemistry between us is off the charts, but it’s more than that. And now I’ve got to sit back, give her time, and hope she realizes it.

I shrug. “She isn’t exactly looking

for anything serious.”

“And you are?” he scoffs.

“I’m tired of the quick fuck.”

Dante’s fork pauses halfway to his mouth. He looks at me, curiously.

The thought has been rolling around in my head, but this is the first time I’ve ever spoken it out loud.

“Wow. Okay.” Placing his fork on the table, he wipes his mouth with his napkin and sets it in his lap. “It was bound to happen to one of us at some point. I’m just fucking glad it was you and not me.”

“I’m sure your time’s coming.”

He scowls. “Don’t say that. You’re going to jinx me. Unlike you, I enjoy my nightly conquests. There’s something to be said about being able to walk away, knowing there are no emotions involved.”

“You’ll eventually tire of it.”

“Doubtful. Enough about me. When are you going to see Shae again?”

“No idea.”

Now that catches his attention. “What do you mean?”