Page 101 of Tinsel in Telluride

Oh, that’s right. When I decided to hate-fuck a guy against a vending machine.

The back door jiggles and opens, and while I don’t bother looking to see who it is, I pray it’s not Luca.

“You look as shitty as he does.”

Enzo.

I recognize the deep voice, the same as his twin. Except with Luca, there’s a warmth that Enzo lacks.

“Not tonight, Enzo,” I sigh, tears stinging the corners of my eyes.

I listen to his footsteps as he rounds the counter to the beverage fridge built into the island. “You sure? We could toast to my brother being an asshat.”

A sound that is more sob and less chuckle escapes me, and I glance up to see him lifting a bottle of beer in my direction.

At least it’s not tequila.

“I should go,”I whisper. I’m not entirely sure where. Zach is sleeping in the main house, but the idea of being one wall away from Luca sounds like a special brand of torture. And with the guys in the hot tub, it’s not like I can escape to the guesthouse, even just for a bit.

“Please don’t.” Enzo rounds the island, setting down a beer for each of us before sliding into the seat next to me.

My gaze narrows and I shake my head. “What is it with you Donati boys thinking you can demand things, and everyone will just fall into line?”

“You’ve met our mother.” He shrugs.

“Fucking witch.”

Enzo lifts his beer. “Amen.”

“What do you want, Enzo?”

He brings the bottle to his lips and takes a long pull before he answers. “To convince you to give my brother a chance.”

I arch a brow, and study the chaos twin in front of me, uncertain if he’s doing this for the plot or he really means it. “If only it were that simple.”

“Isn’t it?” he presses. “Anyone with two eyes can see that you guys are crazy about each other.”

“It’s been four days,” I cling to logic, knowing this couldn’t truly be what everyone sees.

“And?”

“He told your mom he’s going to marry me.”

“And maybe he will someday.”

“He can’t just go telling people that.”

“Have you met my brother?” Enzo tips his head and laughs. “On our first day of little league, he told the coach that he was going to play in the MLB one day.”

“Enzo.”

“Listen.” He spins in his chair to face me, blue eyes so similar to his brothers lock on mine. “I’m not saying he’s not a pretentious dreamer. In the span of a week, the asshole tricked you into showing up in Telluride, and thought he could go toe to toe with Isabella Donati and come out with everything he’s ever wanted. He’s delusional on his best days. But that’s why we love him. He does these things with the best intentions. He can’t help himself. He wants to see the good in people and situations. He chases it like a fucking hound chases a fox. But it’s never with the intention of eating the fox. He’d sooner snuggle the shit out of it and make it his pet.”

“And that makes me the pet?”

“No.” He takes another long drink, and I lean forward in my chair, waiting to see if he’s going to explain what the hell he means.

Enzo sets down the bottle and stands. Looking down at me, he finally puts me out of my misery. “You’re his reason. Without you, he wouldn’t have realized our family was fucked all those years ago. Without you, he wouldn’t have had the heart to allow Jack to bring us all together. And without you, he wouldn’t’ve dared to dream a family was even possible for him. So while it might seem fast for you, for Luca this has been years in the making.”

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