Rome looked mortified by her brother’s intrusion.
“Yeah.” I returned my hand to my pocket. “It’s been a few weeks.”
“That’s so goddamn awesome.” He fist-bumped the air. “My sister is finally not a loser.”
Not that I should care, but it pleased me she hadn’t been hot on the dating scene. The fact that she made an exception for me told me I had a serious chance of getting what I wanted. And I wanted to be her one and only Dom.
“Shut up, Christopher.” Rome packed her laptop in her bag and stood up. “Otherwise, we aren’t going to lunch.”
Christopher turned to me. “You want to come, man?” The exuberance in his eyes told me he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Since he wasn’t related to Rome, I could’ve been a little threatened by him, but it was bluntly obvious he had no attraction toward her. Somehow, he really did see her as a little sister—which was why I liked him immensely.
“He can’t,” Rome interrupted. “He’s got plans.”
“Plans with you.” I turned to her, the corner of my mouth raised with a smile. I knew exactly what she was doing. She didn’t want her brother to embarrass her more than he already had, but I wanted every piece of information about her I could get. Maybe he would spill some secrets during lunch. I couldn’t miss the opportunity.
Now she glared at me.
“It’s settled, then.” Christopher clapped his hands once and turned to the door. “Let’s go to that deli just down the road.” He walked out and waited for us outside.
I looked at Rome, loving the irritated look in her eyes. “After you.” I gestured toward the door, waiting for her to walk out.
“I apologize in advance.” She walked past me.
“For what?”
“For making you witness my brother’s murder.”
I was beginning to notice a pattern.
Just like Rome, Christopher ordered a salad. A tiny-ass salad with some chicken on top. Rome did the same, and they split a single bag of chips. They both ate every single morsel off their plates, wiping it clean.
What the fuck?
I ordered a large chicken sandwich with avocado and all the produce, and it was so delicious that I felt bad the other two were eating rabbit food. Christopher worked on Wall Street, so I knew his eating choices weren’t based on money. Then what were they based on?
“So…getting pretty serious, huh?” Christopher eyed us back and forth from his seat on the other side of the booth.
“Christopher, don’t.” Rome had a distinct warning in her voice but not enough to stop him.
“What?” he asked in mock offense. “I’m just curious. If the guy has been around this long, he must be really into you. Why else would he put up with you?”
I really liked this guy.
I thought brothers were supposed to be protective and caring, but he was nothing like that. He pushed Rome to do things she wouldn’t normally do, and not once did he give me an interrogation about my intentions, my income, or my relationship history. He just accepted me—for exactly who I was.
“Just mind your own business, alright?” Rome threw the empty chip bag at him. It barely flew through the air before it came drifting down, harmlessly.
Christopher eyed it with a smug look on his face. “Ouch.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just be cool, alright?”
“I am,” he argued. “This is the first guy I’ve seen since—”
“Is that Scarlett Johansson?” She pointed over his shoulder toward the door.
“Oh my god.” He snapped his neck toward the door and jumped up in his seat. “Where? I need to ask her to marry me. I’ve been meaning to get around to it.”
I chuckled under my breath.
Rome sighed when she’d accomplished what she set out to do.
When Christopher realized the actress wasn’t there, he turned back around. “What the hell? Was she really there?”
“Yes,” Rome lied. “She must have walked by already. You know New Yorkers are fast.”
“Damn.” He slammed his hand on the table. “My future wife slips out of my grasp…”
“You said the same thing about Blake Lively and Kate Beckinsale.”
“I’m Mormon,” he said. “I can have three wives.”
Now I actually laughed.
“Like you’re man enough,” Rome said under her breath.
“Oh, I’m man enough.” Christopher pointed his thumb into his chest. “Just take my word for it. Patricia has been calling since our date in the bathroom. The ladies always want more.”
Well, Patricia was a whore, so that wasn’t surprising.
“Let’s change the subject before I throw up,” Rome said.
“Good idea.” Christopher faced me again. “So, am I going to be seeing you around for the near future?”
“Christopher!” Rome was about to smack him. She grabbed my arm. “Just ignore him. I swear, he’s just trying to embarrass—”
“Yes.” I looked him in the eye as I spoke. “I’ll be around as long as Rome wants me.”
Her hand immediately loosened around my arm, taken aback by what I said.