Once on the deck, Stasia moved off to the side and turned to Roberto. “Thank you for today.”
He was still smiling. “So you’re not mad that I practically twisted your arm to go?”
“Not at all.” And just so he knew she meant it, she lifted up on her tiptoes to give him a hug.
At first, he didn’t move. And she wondered if she’d overstepped in their friendship. But then his arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. She breathed in his masculine scent mixed with a light whiff of spicy cologne. She longed to lean in closer to inhale the intoxicating combination—
“Hello, Roberto.”
The woman’s voice had Stasia jerking back out of his embrace. Heat swirled in her chest and raced to her cheeks as she turned to face the person. The older woman’s silver hair was trimmed short and not a strand was out of place. Diamond earrings adorned her ears. And her face was made up. But it was her gray-blue eyes that caught and held Stasia’s attention. They were the exact same shade as Roberto’s. She didn’t have to be told. This was his grandmother.
“Yaya, what are you doing here?” Roberto asked.
“Why, dear, this is a ship. And I was out for a stroll.” Her gaze moved between him and Stasia. “Maybe I should be asking the questions. What is going on here? You have a dinner date with Marissa.”
“We already ate while we were ashore,” Roberto said.
His grandmother’s eyes darkened. “You knew you had obligations.”
Stasia couldn’t believe his grandmother was really going to push her agenda, even in front of her. Stasia’s heart went out to Roberto. At least Xander wasn’t pushing her into some man’s arms to get her out of his hair. In fact, Xander would probably do the opposite and keep her away from any men.
But she just couldn’t stand there and let Roberto’s grandmother push him to do things he didn’t want to do. And he loved his grandmother too much to stand up to her and cause a rift. So that left Stasia. She could fix this problem. But did she dare?
Catching sight of a beautiful woman headed in their direction with her gaze set on Roberto, Stasia slipped her hand in his. Roberto turned a surprised look at Stasia.
“You might as well go ahead and tell your grandmother,” Stasia said.
“Tell me what?” His grandmother’s gaze moved between the two of them.
Roberto’s eyes reflected his confusion. He stared deep into Stasia’s eyes, searching for answers. She hadn’t thought this was going to be so stunning for him. Perhaps she needed to help him a bit.
“Go ahead and tell her about us.” Was it her imagination or had his complexion lost a bit of its color?
He shook his head. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Roberto, tell me what is going on,” his grandmother demanded.
Roberto was still staring into Stasia’s eyes. “You’re sure about this?”
She sent him a reassuring smile and nodded.
He turned to his grandmother. “Stasia and I are involved.”
“You are a couple?” His grandmother’s gaze narrowed. When they both reluctantly nodded, his grandmother asked, “Then why did you tell me that you weren’t involved when I asked before?”
Stasia tightened her grip on his hand, sensing the tension coursing through his grandmother’s inquisition. Stasia had never done anything like this before, but she’d never met anyone quite so pushy. What was Roberto going to tell the woman?
Roberto cleared his throat. “Stasia is my friend’s sister. I don’t think Xander will be happy to know we’re involved. In fact, I’m quite certain he’ll be anything but happy. So, you see, it’s for the best that we keep this quiet.”
The beautiful young woman stepped up next to Roberto’s grandmother. “Is it time?”
“Not now, dear.” Roberto’s grandmother never took her gaze off Stasia and Roberto long enough to look at the young woman. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
The young woman frowned. “But I thought—”
“I’ll explain later. Now go.” His grandmother’s voice brooked no room for argument.
With a dark look at Stasia, the young woman turned on her stilettos and strode away. It was then that Stasia wondered if she’d helped or hindered Roberto. After all, that young lady was amazingly beautiful.