Page 33 of Forty, Flirty & Fake-ly Yours

"Figlio mio," Nonna Flora pats his hand. "Special is not same as complicated. Look at Grayson and Roz—they meet in coffee shop, very simple, now very happy."

I take a large sip of wine to avoid meeting anyone's eyes.

"Also,” Emily Hanning texts again. "Any comment on the sudden timing of your relationship...?"

I must make some sound because Grayson's hand finds mine under the table. Just for show, obviously. Because Maria is watching. And possibly calculating our combined net worth.

"I should go," he says eventually, as the twins start falling asleep in their pasta. "Early meeting tomorrow with Douglas Franklin, then?—"

"SecureMatch board presentation," I finish without thinking. At his look, I add, "You mentioned it. When we were... you know."

"Cooking?" Dani supplies. “I heard. What were you two kiddies cooking? Some spicy tacos? Oversized sausages? Maybe?—“

I slap her hand as Alex leans forward, adding to the conversation, too.

“We should probably head out soon, too. I mean, someone has to prep for the this engagement party of ours,” he eyes his dark-haired fiancée. "Since my perfectly reasonable suggestions keep getting shot down."

"Perfectly reasonable?" Mac echos. "You wanted to recreate the 'Lady and the Tramp' spaghetti scene with professional pasta acrobats!"

"It would have been romantic!"

"It would have been a lawsuit waiting to happen," Grayson mutters. He stands, and I definitely don't notice how the cashmere clings to his shoulders. "Thank you for dinner, everyone. Especially you, Nonna Flora."

"Pfffft." She waves a hand towards his face. "You come back next week, teach me more about viral dances. Maybe we make my carbonara recipe break internet!"

"Actually," I hear myself say, "I could help. With the engagement party planning."

The table goes quiet. Even Siddhartha stops snoring.

"You want to help plan the party?" Maria asks slowly. "You? The one who swore off event planning after the divorce?"

"Thanks for the reminder, Maria." I straighten my spine. "But yes. I'm good at... bringing people together. And Alex and Mac deserve something special."

"No flash mobs," Mac repeats firmly.

"No flash mobs," I agree. "Just... something fun. Something real.”

Something flickers in Grayson's expression. For a moment, I think he'll say no. Then:

"I could use the help," he admits. "Especially since my AI's suggestion of 'data-driven celebration optimization' got vetoed."

"Wonder why," Dani mutters, just as her guru jerks awake to announce: "The path... to enlightenment... requires... proper... event... planning..."

His head drops again, nearly landing in the marinara.

"It's settled then!" Nonna Flora claps her hands. "You two plan party together. Very romantic."

"It's not—" I start.

“We’ll keep our focus on the happy couple,” Grayson finishes.

Our eyes meet across the table, and suddenly I'm back in his kitchen, talking about chemistry and timing and things that can't be calculated, while noticing how good he smells. Like cedar wood and smoke.

My phone buzzes one final time. Emily again:Deadline for the feature submission is actually February 16th. In a poetic way. Think about it, Rosalind. This could change everything for Heart & Soul...

I turn off my phone.

"Right," I say, flashing a failed grin. “Focus on the happy couple.”

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