The Wrong Brother ✏️

Chapter Three

Sylvester's POV

Once wasn't enough today, hell, who am I kidding once is never enough when is comes to Alexandria Romano. The woman has me in knots. She is finally letting me in and I find myself wanting more.

"Twice in one day?" Lucy's cheery voice greets me as I walk into the restaurant.

"Couldn't stay away." I reply and she studies me for a moment, my guess, trying to understand what I am referring to.

"Do you mind sitting at the bar? We are fully booked."

I find myself smiling, that doesn't happen often.

"No problem at all."

"Great. Follow me and I'll get you set up."

Lucy walks me over to the bar it is complete leather padded bars stools and a gold bar to rest my feet on. Two patrons sit at one end, drinking, eating burgers and laughing. A young boy I'd say no more than eight sits at the other end with his head buried in a giant book.

"Look after Mr Ferraro, he is one our best." I catch the end of Lucy's conversation with the bartender. Lucy smiles at me before walking over to the young boy and ruffling his hair.

He swats her away playfully.

"Be good Noah." She calls as she head back to the front desk.

"Noah?" I say aloud and the boy looks up.

"Yes?"

I pull out the bar stool next to him.

"Do you mind?"

His eyes dart between me, the bar stool and the door to the kitchen.

"Um...no."

"So what are you doing?"

"Maths homework." He grunts. "Mama said I had to."

"Mum's are tough but I bet she loves you."

"Of course she does." Noah smiles. "I'm her only love." He says it almost proudly.

"What about your dad?"

The smile falls off his face and I want to suck my words back in.

"He died."

"I'm sorry."

Noah shrugs.

"It was before I was born. Mama said I have his eyes."

I stare at him for a moment. He has striking green eyes something I share with my dad and brother's. Common Italian trait.

"So does your mum work here?" I ask but Noah does get a chance to answer.

"Sylvester!" Alexandria's shocked voice has me turning but her paled face has me worried. She is getting paler by the second as she looks between me and Noah. "Noah, go finish you homework in my office."

"But Mama-"

"Now!" She snaps and Noah mutters a quick bye to me as he gather his books and papers.

"So you have a kid?" I clarify once he is gone.

"He is seven." She says softly. "The product of a one night stand. The biggest mistake of my life turned into my greatest joy."

"Alexandria-"

"He is off limits." She cuts me off. "Whatever this is," she points between the two of us, "Noah isn't a part of it."

I want to argue but the look on her face tells me not to so I nod.

"Can I get you some tiramisu?" She changed the subject seamlessly.