fall on me. He shoves both hands down deep in his pockets, and his shoulders round down as he lingers a few feet away.
Aggravation curls my lip. I’m disappointed with him, but mostly I’m frustrated with myself for my behavior. Ares lets the door fall closed and makes his way over to the side of the room. He opens a small wooden cabinet, and I see several rows of mini bottles of alcohol, a few bottles of water, and assorted nuts and juices. Ares nabs two tiny bottles. Not bothering with any of the glasses, he twists off the cap and downs the first bottle's contents.
“Milo and Oliver already down at the banquet?” Dante questions. The answer is obvious.
“Where have you been?” I don’t mean to sound accusatory, but that’s the way it comes out.
Dante lowers his eyes to the floor. “Just walking around.” I can’t tell if he’s lying or not. The way he’s avoiding eye contact makes me think he might be. I tuck my hair behind my ear, watching him. When I don’t ask any other questions, Dante comes over to the sofa, sitting on the other end away from me. The silence that falls is heavy and awkward. I don’t know what to say. Should I apologize for the way I acted in the elevator, or expect him to for not getting himself out of the situation?
Ares returns and he takes a seat on the arm of the sofa right next to me. The differences between them are so glaringly obvious. Dante has always been a little out of reach, while Ares has inserted himself into my life from the first moment we met. Even when I think I’m finally beginning to understand him, something happens that threatens that idea. I fidget, my hands and legs restless as the silence grows between us.
“How long is this thing supposed to last?” Ares asks, leaning his elbow on the back of the couch.
Dante shrugs. “A few hours I think.”
“If we’re going back to the house tonight, I need to make a few calls to get dinner squared away. I was thinking since Linda and the guys know, it won’t be long before our parents and Oliver’s know. We should get ahead of the ball on this one and make sure we’re the ones to tell them. I know Mom will have a stroke if she finds out from someone else,” Ares says sounding resigned.
“You know she’ll be on the next flight out as soon as we tell her.”
“I know she’ll want to.” Ares looks down at me, biting his bottom lip. “If we do a video call, she might not chew me out too bad if you’re there.” His eyes plead with me.
“Now?” I gasp. I had to meet Milo’s parents today, now theirs?
“It’s just a video, and it won’t be as awkward. She can’t even attack you,” Ares offers, his voice sweet.
“Attack me?” I seem to be incapable of more than questions at this point.
“Not like that—don’t be crazy. I mean she won’t be able to assault you with hugs and tackle you with her excitement.” Ares actually rolls his eyes. I, however, am not really as mollified with his explanation as he seems to think I should be.
Before I can muster a response, Ares sits up straight. “All settled. Let me get the food situation arranged for tonight, and we can call her. You guys get this weird tension you have going on sorted out, because Mom will spot it a mile away, and then there won’t be any stopping her from coming.” Under his breath Ares adds, “Not like it’ll help.” He stands, dropping a tender kiss at my temple, and strides into the bedroom area. The door closes as I sit there reeling. Not only do I have to meet their parents, but I also have to deal with Dante.
While I’m staring straight ahead, still in shock, Dante rumbles next to me, “You’re mad at me.” It’s definitely not a question.
Taking a deep breath and squaring my shoulders, I turn to face him. He’s in the opposite corner of the couch, his large frame somehow looking smaller with the way he’s tucked into himself. It doesn’t diminish his appeal in any way, though. Peering at me with those gorgeous amber eyes and a slightly nervous expression, his chin tilts down.
I look away, I won’t be able to get the words out if I have to look at him. “I’m really confused,” I confess, dropping