Read Online One Night With a Santini by Melissa Schroeder - Free Book Online Page A

people make it work. It’s hard though. I’ve seen so many good marriages fall apart.”
    She nodded as he poured the eggs into the pan.
    “You are very handy in the kitchen.”
    He tossed her another smile over his shoulder. “Yeah. My mother made sure we could all cook. She said it was a Santini tradition that the men could cook as well as the women. The only one who failed was Anthony.”
    “You’re oldest brother?”
    He nodded as he turned back to the stove. “Yeah. He can cook two things. And he is a master with a grill. Past that, you are taking your life into your hands.”
    She smiled. She liked hearing him talk about his family. Not many people had huge families like both of theirs, and it took someone from that kind of family to understand.
    “Plates?” he asked.
    “Left cupboard.”
    He grabbed them and plated the food. “Now, I am sure this isn’t as fancy as your brother the chef could make up, but it might help with your dizziness.”
    She smiled as he set it in front of her. “I don’t think anyone has ever cooked for me in my own kitchen.”
    He grabbed his plate and joined her. “Well, maybe this is first of many firsts.”
    She forked up some of the eggs, ready to lie even if they tasted gross. Instead, they were light and soft, and so good.
    “Oh, those are good.”
    “Breakfast is my specialty. When you’re feeling better, I’ll make some of my ricotta pancakes.”
    “So, you saw almost everyone when you made your way out here?”
    He nodded. “Yeah. Anthony and Nando were the only ones I didn’t see. Nando is in Germany right now, and Anthony’s in Hawaii. But I should see them soon.”
    “Why?”
    “My baby sister is getting married, so that means we will all try and make it, even if we can only be there for that day.”
    “I like that. It reminds me of my family.”
    And it did. She had always wondered why some military people she knew had closer families than other people. The Santinis were a prime example. They might be thousands of miles apart, but there was a connection there that seemed similar to the one she shared with her family. Like Brando, she knew if she lived in California, her brothers would be there the moment they knew she needed them.
    He nodded. “You seemed especially close with Aeden.”
    “We’re only sixteen months apart in age, and he sometimes forgets I am not twelve anymore.”
    “It’s nice though.”
    She thought about her irritating brother and smiled. “Yeah. And so is this. Thank you for cooking for me.”
    She leaned over and gave him a kiss.
    “There is the matter of payment.”
    She laughed. “I am pretty sure we can work something out.”
    “So, I was thinking, if you weren’t busy this weekend, we could just hang out?”
    She thought about it then nodded. “I would like that a lot. When do you have to go in?”
    “I stopped by and checked in already. I don’t have a meeting until Monday afternoon.”
    “You mean I get to have you to myself for the rest of the weekend?”
    He smiled. “Yeah. I’m all yours. I’ll worry about Aunt Joey next week.”
    “The infamous Aunt Joey?”
    “Hopefully, she won’t bother me too much.” He shook his head. “She will, and we always go along with her.”
    She heard the love in his voice. It was one of the things that drew her to Brando. They both had deep family roots and didn’t have a problem showing affection.
    “I know the feeling.”
    She finished up her eggs and was happy that her stomach seemed to be settling down. Brando picked up their plates and started to clean up.
    “I could get used to this. I don’t think I can remember a man ever cooking and cleaning up for me. Declan will cook, but he makes a huge mess and never cleans up.”
    “I would happily cook for you any day of the week.”
    She tried to ignore the way her heart danced at the promise he gave her. Kaitlin knew that she couldn’t get too attached to him, but it was hard not to. She understood he didn’t want