Chapter 36: Sofia

I raise my brows at Roman, who studiously avoids my gaze.

MaryAnn, who must be his sister or sister-in-law, turns and faces me again. "Oh, I'm sorry!" She gives Roman an expectant look. When he says nothing, she huffs out a breath and smiles, thrusting her hand toward me. "Apparently Roman isn't going to bother introducing us. I'm MaryAnn, his sister-in-law, and the two hellions that ran past are my boys. The taller one is Jacob, and the other is Logan."

"Sofia." I take hold of her hand. "It's nice to meet you."

Dozens of questions swirl through my head. I glance at Roman and find his eyes already on me. A strange guardedness I've seen countless times before lurks in them.

The boys run back down the aisle and hurtle their small bodies at their uncle.

Roman scoops them up into his arms with practiced ease, shaking them until they shriek with uncontrollable laughter. His discomfort dissolves, and his guard drops as he focuses on his nephews with a joyful smile that makes my he