Melissa Schroeder - A Santini Takes the Fall (The Santinis Book #9) Read online

  Whoa, girl, not your type; and even if he was, he had made it pretty damned clear he was not interested. Plus, he had the manners of a goat.

  “Do you not have any sisters?”

  He blinked, apparently expecting a different reaction. “One. But, she’s mean.”

  She snorted. “Yeah, right. I bet you drove her to it.”

  Alana chuckled. “I can imagine being one girl in a family with five boys wasn’t easy.”

  “She was born mean. Ask her twin,” he said to Alana, his eyes dancing. It was hard not to notice. They were amazing eyes. Brown, with little flecks of gold throughout and then beautiful rims of gold around the irises.

  Shit. She needed to stop thinking like that. Pretty men with nasty manners were not her kind of guys. Not any more. She had been down that road one too many times. Of course, he was as sweet as could be to Alana, and that won him points in her book.

  “Anyway, what does that have to do with me asking Lalani about her eating habits?”

  “It’s rude,” she said.

  He shrugged, apparently not that upset with being labeled rude. She realized first impressions of his body were deceptive. The man seemed long and lanky, but he wasn’t slim. His muscular definition was amazing.

  “Okay, yes, I do. I have long days, and as a dancer, I work off a lot of calories. Added with the metabolism that I have, I have to eat a lot to keep up.”

  “I thought you didn’t like training.”

  “Training for dance is different. I told you about that.”

  “How is that?”

  “It’s my life,” she said, more comfortable talking about dance.

  There was a small beat of silence, and she realized she had said it with more force than she expected. It was hard to explain things like this to non-dance people. She was pretty sure Anthony did not go to the ballet regularly.

  “So, I hear one of Brando’s new family is showing up next week,” Alana said, gracefully changing the subject. Lalani gave her friend a grateful look.

  He nodded.

  “Brando is one of Anthony’s brothers,” Alana said. “He just got married a few months ago.”

  She smiled. “One of your younger brothers?”

  “They are all younger,” Anthony said with a frown. Oh, he didn’t like being reminded of his age. “And yes, the oldest brother, Aeden. He’s restless according to my new sister-in-law, and the Chief is making him take some time off.”

  She sighed. “So, more military.”

  “Nope. He’s a fireman. But, he has a ton of leave and he needs to use some of it. Had some airline miles to use up, so Brando asked if I could take him off their hands.”

  “He has to be taken care of? Like a puppy?” she asked, trying not to laugh.

  Anthony smiled, and her breath caught in the back of her throat. Most of the time he looked dangerous, but here…he looked dangerous to her libido. Damn. Damn. Damn. He was so pretty.

  “Brando’s wife Kaitlin is pregnant, and Aeden is a little overprotective. He is driving her insane, so a few days with him out of her hair would help.”

  “We’ll have to have a pool party or something for him,” Alana said.

  “You need to rest,” Lalani said.

  “If you would help, it wouldn’t be that hard.”

  The sly smile her friend gave Lalani told her everything she needed to know. It was her fault for playing right into Alana’s hands like that.

  “Sure, whatever.”

  “Great.” Alana looked at Anthony, who wasn’t that happy. “How long is he staying?”

  “Just five days. It’s all they could get him to take off.”

  “That is a waste,” Lalani said.

  “What?”

  “Five days in Hawaii? You need at least two weeks to truly appreciate it.”

  “A person would have to spend a lifetime here to get a true appreciation of it,” Anthony said, just matter of fact.

  She smiled and he blinked. She didn’t pay much attention to it because he easily recovered. “It’s nice to hear a haole say that. But I understand why some people just come for a few days. It might be all they can spare. And five days in Hawaii is better than no days, so I guess that is okay.”

  “But you do need more than just a few days here to really understand the life,” Marco said. “From what Mom said about Aeden though, he might be able to stuff three weeks into five days.”

  “Yeah, he’s a bit…rambunctious,” Anthony said.

  She laughed at that and again, he gave her a strange look. But before she could even think what that was about, Jon demanded that she take him in so he could show her the new toy Marco had brought back for him. Thankful for the reprieve, she followed him inside and hoped that a break would get those crazy thoughts about Anthony Santini out of her head.

  * * *

  Alana handed her the container of leftovers, and Lalani shook her head. “I really don’t need this food. I had enough to eat tonight.”

  Alana laughed. “You saw how much we have left over.”

  “And, I am assuming that some of that is going to go back to Anthony’s with him?”

  “You know how I am. Everyone needs to have a full fridge.”

  Lalani. “Yeah, and you are always trying to fix me up.”

  She had the good grace to blush. “Sorry. I thought you two might hit it off.”

  “Really? He’s military.”

  “Former. You like Marco.”

  “I like him and he treats you like he should.”

  “And if he didn’t?”

  “I don’t watch Discovery ID just for the blood.”

  Alana laughed. “You are horrible.”

  Lalani leaned forward and gave Alana a hug. “Yes, so remember that next time you try and fix me up. I will help with that pool party as long as you promise not to mess with me anymore.”

  “Okay.”

  She pulled back and gave Alana a frown. “That was too quick. Okay, just for the next couple of months. I can’t seem to keep my head about me these days, and I am not in the mood to deal with a man. With my first recital with my students coming up, I don’t need to deal with fix ups.”

  Alana’s smile faded and understanding filled her eyes. “No worries, sistah.”

  She knew her friend probably understood better than other people.

  “Be careful,” she said. Lalani nodded and walked to her car. She didn’t want to think of what next week would bring, or how she would deal with it. Once she was on the road, she realized that the past year had been a year of firsts. First Christmas. First birthday. First Mother’s Day. All without her mother.

  With a sigh, she pushed the loneliness away and decided to take the scenic route home. She needed to let loose.

  * * *

  Anthony and Marco were talking about the recent rash of weddings on his side of the Santini family when Alana rejoined them. She no longer looked happy.

  “What’s wrong?” Marco said.

  “Nothing.”

  “Oh, please, that wasn’t even good acting,” Anthony said.

  “Sorry, I’m tired. Just, I forgot the date,” she said, taking her seat next to Marco.

  “The date?” Marco asked.

  “Next week marks the date,” she said.

  He looked at Marco.

  “Oh, it’s been a year, huh?”

  She nodded. “I shouldn’t have pushed her.”

  “What the hell are you two talking about?”

  Alana laughed. “Oh, Anthony, I love having you here with us. Lalani lost her mother to cancer a year ago. She does pretty well with it, but it has to be hard on her. She’s an only child, so it’s just her and her father.”

  “Ah.”

  “I had to promise no more fix ups, so you’re safe. Of course, I should have known it wouldn’t work out.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “She has this thing about military men. She doesn’t date them.”

  “I’m not military.”


  She laughed. “Didn’t you just correct me last week when I called you a former Marine?”

  “Give it up, cuz,” Marco said. “You and I both know that you might not be active duty anymore, but you’re still in that military mindset.”

  “And she’s not my type.”

  Marco let one eyebrow rise at that. “Really? So, hot, athletic, funny, and down to earth isn’t your type?”

  “If you say so.”

  “So, you don’t think she’s hot?” Marco asked.

  Scorching. Hell, right now he could barely remember his name whenever he thought about her laugh. She liked to laugh, that was easy to see. And she was very sweet with Jon.

  “Of course she is. I’d have to be fu—excuse me,” he said glancing at Alana, who was still smiling at him. “Freaking blind not to see it. But, personality wise, she’s not my type.”

  Marco said nothing, but gave him that know-it-all smile. Anthony forgot what an ass his cousin could be. The SEAL was the quiet one in that branch of the Santini tree, but he was probably the most devious.

  “Yeah, Anthony doesn’t like women who talk back,” Marco said as he leaned back in his chair. He had reached over and was tangling his hand in the ends of Alana’s hair.

  “You don’t like women with personalities?” Alana asked.

  “That is not what I said. Stop screwing up my words,” he said.

  “Sure, sure. We understand.”

  “Watch yourself, SEAL. You might end up in the pool.”

  His cousin laughed. “Sorry. It’s just too much fun giving you shit.”

  He wanted to retaliate, but the more he protested, the more it sounded like he wanted her. And he did, but Anthony knew one thing was true: getting what you wanted didn’t always work out.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Lalani just entered her apartment when her phone rang. She knew from the ringer, it was her father.

  “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

  “Nothing, just checking on ya.”

  It was a hard concept to get used to. It had always fallen on her mother to check on Lalani. Since she died, Lalani’s father felt the need to check on her. Almost every day.

  She loved him, but it was still strange.

  “Well, I just got done with my late afternoon class.”

  “Any hot plans for the night?”

  She laughed. “No. Just going over to Alana and Marco’s. They’re having a little pool party.”

  “Ah. Are you the same girl I knew just a few years ago who thrived on being up at all hours?”

  She rolled her eyes as she started her shower. “That girl was twenty and not nearing thirty. I have learned I like sleep better.”

  Her father grunted, and that was never a good sign.

  “Did you want to come over to the party? I’m sure Marco and Alana wouldn’t mind.”

  “Good God, no. I’m sure it’s going to be a bunch of young people.”

  She thought of Anthony. “Well, not all that young. A Santini relation just hit the island for a few days.”

  “Ah. The Santinis tend to absorb people into their family.”

  That stopped her. “I didn’t know you knew them that well.”

  “Hmm, yeah, mainly Papa. But I’ve met all three of the other brothers along the way. Hard not to.”

  “You haven’t met Anthony, have you?”

  “The one that is staying at the guesthouse?”

  “Yes.”

  “Nope. I think most of the kids were entering the military about the time I left. Once we moved back to Hawaii, I didn’t have interaction with most of my old Marine buddies unless they came over for a trip.”

  And he didn’t regret it. She knew without asking. Moving back to Hawaii had been a dream of her father and mother for as long as she could remember.

  “Well, I am going to jump in the shower. Still kind of sweaty.”

  Her father chuckled. “We still on for breakfast?”

  “Always. Where?”

  “How about I come out your way and we hit the Wailana Coffee House?”

  “Sounds good. Nine?”

  “I’ll pick you up.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you. Have fun tonight, little girl.”

  She smiled as she turned off her phone. There were things about New York City she missed, but she happily traded them for all the time with her father. And she was truly happy these days.

  With a sigh, she headed to the bathroom. She was already running behind, and traffic on Pali Hawaii on a Friday afternoon was going to be a bitch.

  * * *

  Aeden Fitzpatrick whistled when he saw the view from Marco and Alana’s back lanai. “Damn. If it wasn’t for my family, I might abandon Baltimore for a view like this.”

  “I’ll let Kaitlin know your feelings about that.”

  He smiled. “I said if it wasn’t for my family. Can’t let Kaitlin have that baby by herself.”

  He took a long sip of his beer and Anthony studied him. They were close to the same age, but where Anthony was happy with his life at the moment, Aeden gave off the feeling that he wasn’t happy. He was…restless. That’s what Kaitlin said, and he was fairly certain his pretty sister-in-law had it right.

  “So, we have this pool party, but I’m sure there are some things you want to do other than just hang out at the pool.”

  “I’d like to take a drive around the island. The Arizona, of course. My grandfather was stationed up at, what is that…Schofield Barracks. Is that right?”

  Anthony nodded.

  “Then, if there is anything else you think I should see.”

  “That’s a good start. Like to hike? There’s some great places in Waimea Valley.”

  Aeden was about to open his mouth, but he paused as his attention was captured by something over Anthony’s shoulder. “Damn. Who’s that?”

  Anthony turned and saw Lalani walking across the lanai with Jon on her hip. He had known she was coming, and he thought he was prepared for it. Now he realized he would never be able to deal with her. Today she was wearing an orange tank top and another pair of board shorts. She’d put a scarf on her head, which had some kind of intricate design that matched her shirt.

  “Santini?”

  He shook himself out of his stupor. “Lalani. A friend of Alana’s. Be careful…Alana could try and fix you up.”

  He slanted Anthony a look, then turned his attention back to Lalani. “I’m okay with that if you aren’t leaning that way.”

  “No. Not interested,” he said, mentally crossing his fingers. He was attracted to her, what heterosexual man wouldn’t be? She was striding over to them with that loose sway of hers that was relaxed and so fucking sexy. So, yes, he was attracted, but he wasn’t interested. Not really. “Be careful, the woman has claws.”

  The smile Aeden gave him had Anthony grinding his teeth. “Ah, Santini, if you knew me better you would know that isn’t a deterrent.”

  Lalani made her way over to them. “Hey, Santini.”

  “I’m a Santini, too,” Jon announced.

  “Yeah, but you’re cuter.”

  Jon giggled and clapped. “Yes. My Lani.”

  Then, he grabbed her face and kissed her.

  “I see how it is, Jon. Throwing me to the wolves.”

  Jon set his head on her shoulder and smiled. He didn’t blame the little boy. He wouldn’t mind doing the same thing.

  Dammit.

  “This is Aeden Fitzpatrick. We have siblings who are married and procreating.”

  She laughed, and he hated the way it danced through his blood.

  “Nice to meet you, Aeden Fitzpatrick. I’m Lalani Hawkins.”

  “Nice to meet you too.”

  “How are you liking the island so far?”

  He shrugged. “Not too bad. Although, I just got here.”

  “Where did you fly in from?”

  “Baltimore.”

  “Oh, I love Baltimore.”

  Aeden gave her a skeptical
look.

  “No, really. Loved Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor. I love all those old cities that are steeped in history. When I lived in New York, I traveled up and down the coast as much as I could.”

  Before Aeden could say anything, Alana called over to Lalani. “I have been summoned. You with me, Sir Jon?”

  “Yes!”

  “See ya,” Lalani said as she hurried over to Alana.

  Anthony watched her, enjoying the easy sway in her hips and, damn, that fine ass of hers. Dancing definitely did fine things to her rear end. He turned to say something to Aeden and realized he was still watching her.

  “Hey, Fitzpatrick.”

  “Huh?”

  Anthony smacked him on the back of the head.

  “Dammit, Santini. You’re all irritating,” he said, rubbing the back of his head.

  “I just thought I should snap you back so you wouldn’t slobber all over yourself.”

  * * *

  Lalani laughed, enjoying Aeden Fitzpatrick. The fireman definitely lived up to his Irish roots. Blond hair, threaded with deep hues of light brown, blue eyes, and the Celtic symbol tattoos definitely let people know where his loyalties lay. Add in the great sense of humor and the love of his family, and he was definitely attractive. Unfortunately, while she found him stunning, he didn’t speak to her on that level. It would have been easier dealing with a quick fling with a sexy tourist.

  “So, Kaitlin was kind of upset with us when he got hurt. And then Mom got onto us.”

  “I take it that Brando survived?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “As he likes to point out—and often—he’s a Marine. He can handle it.”

  She smiled. “They do like to remind people of that.”

  “You speak from experience.”

  She hesitated, then said, “Dad’s a Marine.”

  “Ah.” The simple word held a wealth of meaning, but she didn’t know what was behind it.

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing.” Unexpectedly, he smiled. The man had a smile that would make any woman melt. But, she’d spent her time around some of the most charming men in the dance world.