Skipped chapter fifty-three? It was marked PRIVATE.

Two hours later Virginia and Mark emerged from his room. All the men had gathered in the living room, including Louis and Simon. A boisterous game of pool was being played between Adam and Ben while the others watched and shouted encouragements to their personal favorite.

Maybe this wasn't such a great idea, she thought, assuming they'd all been told about her birthday gift. What if they heard us? They hadn't exactly been quiet. She felt herself blanch at the thought.

An arm slid across her shoulders, Mark leaning in to whisper, "What's wrong? I wasn't too rough in there, was I?" His tone was wary and full of concern. He turned her toward him, gathering her into his arms so that her hands rested on his chest. "I thought I was following your lead."

"No, you were"—feeling heat on her cheeks, she knew color had returned to her face—"great." Great? Try mind-blowing. He'd given her exactly what she wanted.

She felt the relief ease his rigid posture.

"I love the way you still blush when we talk about sex," he murmured.

She swatted him on the chest. "Don't make fun of me."

"Never." His eyes filled with alarm, making him look like a little boy who'd tracked mud onto a freshly cleaned floor. "I would never make fun of you."

She rolled onto her tiptoes and gave him a reassuring kiss.

He smiled. It was the oh-so-sexy one. Little boy gone, hot man returned.

It was right at that moment when Virginia admitted to herself that she was deeply in love with Mark Spinelli.

Suddenly there were many things happening at once as she stood shell-shocked at her own revelation: Mark asked if she wanted a glass of wine, to which she nodded numbly; a loud brriinnnggg brought Lily into the hallway, heading to the door; another ball took a slow roll toward a corner pocket and . . . cheers rose up from around the pool table.

As Mark headed over to the bar, she stayed like that, wrapped up in her own thoughts, until she sensed a presence behind her. A quick headcount of those in view clued her in on who was not. Bruce. The blood rushed to her face once more even as she tried to convince herself to remain in control. Refusing to acknowledge him, she stared straight ahead, stiffening as the silence stretched on. What the hell is he doing?

Just as she was about to turn and confront him, he gave off a low chuckle and said, "I've reconsidered—black was definitely the way to go. But don't worry . . . it'll stay between the three of us. Consider it our own little ménage a trois."

Taken aback, she twisted around to look him in the eye, but he was already making his way over to the bar. A commotion in the hallway followed up by surprised greetings being flung from the rest of the group pulled her attention to the door.

And there she was. Undoubtedly, the woman staring back at her had to be Mark's sister. That was confirmed by the "Hi, Mother" coming from Simon when he crossed the living room and gave her a stiff hug.

Julia was just as she had been described. A slim, tall brunette, looking very chic with her hair done up in an elegant twist, wearing designer . . . well, everything . . . right down to what had to have been six inch stiletto pumps on her feet. Flawless skin carried the perfect amount of makeup in all the right places.

She was stunning.

The game of pool was forgotten as Adam and Ben both put down their cues to go over to her.

Julia brushed off the two men with a wave of her hand, her sole focus being on the only other woman in the room. Virginia wasn't sure if that was good or bad, but she started walking toward her anyway. Julia followed suit, stepping down the two steps to the hardwood floor with Simon in tow.

They met in the middle, Mark joining them.

"Hey, sis," Mark said as he kissed her on the cheek. He passed Virginia her glass of wine.

Julia smiled but looked indifferent. "Happy birthday, little brother. Enjoy every year of your thirties because, take it from me, being forty sucks." She dismissed him with a pat on his chest and turned to Virginia, extending her hand. "This must be the Virginia I keep hearing about from all the men in my life." She tossed a quick look to both Mark and Simon.

"Virginia, this is my sister, Julia," Mark affirmed.

Virginia felt very plain in her black dress pants, leather flats, and white satin blouse. She reached out for the hand in front of her, noticing all the rings that adorned Julia's fingers. "Very nice to meet you, Julia," she said, staring up into familiar blue eyes. "You definitely look like your brother."

Julia scanned Mark from head to toe in a slow once-over. "Hmm . . . I guess that is a compliment." She dropped Virginia's hand as if her duty was done. "How about a drink?" she said to Adam and Ben, still hovering nearby.

Virginia had never seen them move so fast when they hustled their way over to the bar. The rest of them followed, Julia stopping to greet Louis and Steve who had taken over the pool table. Bruce was still standing behind the bar, drink in hand, watching their approach.

Julia walked around and joined him, giving him a quick hug. "Hey, Morgan, when are you going to find yourself a woman like my brother, here?"

Virginia and Mark sat down on the barstools across from them. Bruce's dark eyes lifted from the gleaming wood top to bore into Virginia's, and she held her breath, wondering what insult was about to come tumbling out of his mouth this time.

But he was forever full of surprises.

"Never"—he turned his focus to Julia, snapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into his side, his voice dropping low—"I enjoy being single way too much."

Julia smiled and snaked her arm around his shoulders, leaning into his bicep with her breasts. With lowered lids she breathily replied, "Good, let's keep it that way. I like having you to myself when I visit."

Virginia almost knocked over her wine when she twisted away from the pair, feeling every inch the eavesdropper. She was grateful Simon had stopped to watch Louis's and Steve's game, although from what she had heard about Julia, he was probably well aware of his mother's little trysts.

Mark was quietly laughing and shaking his head. "You don't know what you're missing, Bruce."

Bruce's forced laugh had Virginia's skin prickling. "On the contrary, after our little surprise earlier, I think I know exactly—"

"Knock it off," Mark barked, no longer sounding amused.

Virginia felt the heat of a blush returning to her face, yet again.

Julia cleared her throat. "Did I miss something?"

"Dinner is ready," Lily called from the hallway.

Thank God, Virginia thought, practically jumping off her stool.

They made their way to the dining room and feasted on Lily's delicious cooking. Their earlier conversation was forgotten as the attention focused mainly on Mark. Sitting beside him, Virginia glanced around the table and realized that even though it was not what one would consider a classic household, the camaraderie and respect that flowed from these men created an environment that was indeed that. They were, for all intents and purposes, a family. Their stories played on throughout the meal, and she could have sat there for hours listening to them joke and tease each other relentlessly.

When Lily came out with the cake, there was a whole lot of oohing and aahing as they made a big production of presenting it to the birthday boy. Mark stood up and gave the tiny woman a hug. "Thank you, Lily. You spoil me rotten."

Lily gave off a bashful laugh in his embrace. After he planted a kiss on her forehead, she wagged a finger at him and retreated back to the kitchen.

Still standing, Mark reached down and lifted his wineglass. "Thank you all for this wonderful surprise. There is nothing like great food, fine wine, and a bunch of Neanderthals to help celebrate aging."

"Hey! I take exception to that," Adam called out.

"You would," Steve shot back at him.

"Dude!" Adam scoffed.

"Annnnd"—Mark glared down the table at them like a parent trying to bring his children under control—"I want to thank the two beautiful women who have graced us with their company tonight. Your presence has helped keep these guys on their best behavior, believe it or not." He looked fondly at his sister. "Julia. . . for putting up with having me as a brother all these years." He raised his glass and everyone else joined him in the toast.

"It has its advantages," Julia said with a smile.

Bruce's smug smirk indicated he knew he was one of them.

Mark turned to Virginia. "And to the woman beside me who knows exactly how I feel. I have already told her I love her—"

Virginia's gaze skittered around the table. She wasn't the only one shocked by Mark's public declaration.

"—and she has made this the happiest birthday ever." He leaned down and kissed her before whispering in her ear, "Had to tell them sooner or later."

Clapping erupted around them once the wine glasses were back on the table. Virginia felt another blush hit her cheeks. That had to be a go-red record for one evening.

As Mark reached down and picked up the lighter, Simon yelled out, "Hey Unc, you might need a permit to light that thing, judging by the number of candles."

It was impossible to say who threw the first one, but Simon was smart enough to duck when a number of dinner rolls were launched into the air, aimed directly at the head of their teenage target.

END OF CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Virginia finally admits it to herself. I hope you enjoyed Mark's birthday. What did you think of his sister, Julia? Was she what you expected?

Thank you for reading this far and supporting me, and don't forget that little star! Only 4 chapters left ;)