Page 227 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

Diego comes over to me.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Congratulations on the restaurant."

"Thanks."

Then he notices my hand. His eyebrows go up.

"Wait."

I smile.

"Are you and Dad..."

"Yes."

"Seriously?"

I hold out my hand.

"Seriously."

Javier joins us. Diego grins at him.

"Nice."

"Thank you."

"You were nervous, weren't you?"

"No."

I laugh. Diego looks at me.

"He was."

"He absolutely was."

"I knew it."

Javier gives both of us a look. For a man who spent years without his son, he's learned remarkably fast what it's like to be outnumbered. I love it.

When everyone has a glass in hand, Javier moves toward the center of the patio. Someone taps a fork against a glass. Javier looks offended.

"That wasn't necessary."

Jack grins.

"It was absolutely necessary."

People laugh. Javier looks at me. I know that look. Help. I smile sweetly.

"You've got this," I mouth.

His eyes narrow. Then he turns toward the crowd.