“Why does he care?”

“We used to go out.”

Romero stared at her. Her words felt like a slap, even though she’d said them in the calmest of tones. Last night he said he didn’t want to know if she’d ever done the relationship thing. Now he wondered how many she’d been in. Would she be comparing him to this uptight ass**le? Who else would she be comparing him to? He took a deep breath. “How long?

“Not very long at all.” She slipped her hand into his. “I stopped seeing him because he was so arrogant, but we stayed friends because we’re neighbors and I didn’t want things to be awkward.”

This could be a problem. If Romero ever ran into the prick again, things could escalate real quick. “Look, Izzy,” he said, trying to sound calm. “This is your place. I can’t tell you who you can and can’t have over. But you can’t expect me to be cool if you have another guy here, especially an ex.”

To his surprise she laughed. “I seriously doubt Lawrence is ever setting foot near my place again. The only other guy you’ll probably run into around here now, is Alex.”

Just seeing her smile made some of the tension he felt dissipate, but not completely, there was still the matter of dinner with her sister. She wrapped her arms around his waist. He breathed in deeply, hugging her and kissing her forehead. He’d put the thought of Lawrence aside for now. There was something he’d wanted to ask her even last night, but he’d never had make-up sex and there was no f**king way he was ruining a night of that. “So what did your sister have to say about me?”

“Surprisingly, not a whole lot. I think she was in shock. She had no idea I was seeing anyone but she’ll be grilling me soon, I’m sure.”

Romero looked down into her eyes. “What are you gonna tell her?”

The corner of her lips went up. “What do you think I should tell her?”

“What I told my uncles.”

“And what was that?”

Every time he thought he’d seen all her expressions she surprised him with a new one and he smiled even more certain about what he told his uncles. “That you’re the one.”

Her eyebrows pinched just as her eyes filled with tears. “Really?”

“Yeah, really.” He kissed her softly.

“I love you,” she whispered.

He stared at her wishing his brain could get past the I think part when she’d said it the first time. As unreal and amazing as it felt to hear her say it, her facial expressions were beginning to give too much away and he’d been staring at her then, too. The uncertainty was as plain as the tears in her eyes now. He, on the other hand, was one hundred percent sure of what he was feeling. “I love you, too, Izzy.”

CHAPTER 10

Pat

Knowing Romero wasn’t into fancy shit, and knowing if she left it up to Pat, that’s exactly the kind of place they’d be having dinner, Isabel chose a trendy Italian chain restaurant at the mall. She almost suggested Frisco’s, but with the possibility of this not going too well, she hated to tarnish that memory of their first dinner there, especially if they ever wanted to go back.

They reached a stop light and Romero squeezed her hand. “What are you smiling about?”

She was glad she’d begun to stop blushing about every little thing or her face would be warm right about now. “I was just thinking about when we just so happened to run into each other at the mall.”

He smiled. “Aren’t you glad we did?”

“Yes, very glad.” She squeezed his hand back.

Before the whole Lawrence incident, Isabel thought she might give Romero a heads up about her mom and sister, but even though he’d calmed down since, he still seemed a little tense. She didn’t want him thinking she needed to tell him how to behave, or that she didn’t want him to be himself. Still, for his own sake, she decided to let him in on one thing.

They pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and got out of the car. “Just so you know,” she said, as she came around to meet him. He reached out for her hand. “My mom does not have a problem with cussing. Not too much anyway but...” Romero peered at her. “She has this thing about cussing at the dinner table. Don’t ask me why, she’s always made a big deal about it. I’m not telling you that you shouldn’t. Just consider yourself warned.”

He flashed that smirk she was now in love with and he patted his chest with his fist. “I got this.”

Isabel smiled taking a deep breath, hoping he didn’t see the nerves behind the smile. No matter what her family’s opinion of Romero was, there was nothing they could do or say to change the way she felt about him now. She just wasn’t looking forward to any kind of unpleasantness… from either side.

Pat and her mom were already there, looking through their menus. Her sister was completely engaged in it as Romero and Isabel approached.

“Do you see anything that sounds even remotely appetizing?” Pat asked her mother without looking up. “I don’t know why Isabel likes this place so much.”

“Try the swordfish,” Romero said.

Both her mom and Pat looked up at the same time. Her mom smiled at the sight of Isabel. “Hi, honey.” Isabel leaned in, hugging and kissing her. Then she turned to Romero. “Romero this is my mother. Mom, this is my friend, Romero.”

“Her boyfriend.” Romero said, reaching out and shaking her mother’s hand.