"Since I started at Yantail, Romina and I have been going at it. It''s been five years. But I''ve got to admit, she''s smart and capable. Having someone like her around definitely keeps life from getting boring," River said with augh, clearly holding a grudging respect for her. "If we weren''t in the same industry, I''d really admire her. She''s got a strong presence in Eaglioncile''s business scene. Plus, she''s a Lafond -her family is well-known. A lot of oldschool bosses see her as the ideal daughter-inw. Young up-anders love working with her but don''t want to date her. Maybe it''s because she''s too good. Guys feel like they''ll get overshadowed if they''re with her."


    River figured most men in Eaglioncile just couldn''t match up to Romina. They admired her but didn''t want to be in a rtionship where their ego might take a hit.


    So, she''d been on a few blind dates, but none worked out.


    "That''s because they''re not good enough for her. A woman like Romina will end up with someone truly exceptional. Do you really like her, Sister-inw? You just met her today, but it feels like you''re already on her side," River said, clearly irritated.


    "I''m family. Romina''s the enemy-my mortal enemy!" he added dramatically, patting his face. "She hit me, remember? If she weren''t a woman, I''d have fought back. I swear, I''d tten her."


    Serenity smiled and said honestly, "I really like Romina. She doesn''t seem as awful as you''re making her out to be."


    River sighed. "She''s a good person, I''ll admit that. But somehow, she only shows


    her worst side to me. So, yeah, I think she''s awful."


    Serenity teased, "You think she''s so awful, and yet you had the nerve to ask her to buy you a meal?"


    River was stunned.


    How did she know that?


    He had called Romina behind Serenity''s back.


    Did Romina really call his sister-inw toin about him?


    River defended himself, "She hit me. Isn''t a meal the least she can do to make up for it?" "She apologized and even helped ice your face," Serenity replied with a grin. She couldn''t help but feel like these two were just bickering soulmates. "Sister-inw, don''t look at me like that," River said, feeling nervous. "I swear, Romina and I are mortal enemies-sworn rivals. There''s nothing romantic there. Don''t start ying matchmaker. I''d be a wreck if I actually liked her." When other brothers got serious about someone, the girlfriend would eventually meet the sister-inw, and they''d usually hit it off.


    River was clearly on edge, thinking Serenity was here to push him toward marriage. And from her perspective, any woman she met might be a potential match for him.


    "Why are you so jumpy? I just think Romina''s nice, and I get along with her. Even Bethany likes her. After she pped you, Bethany still wanted her to hold her. River, you''re not getting any younger. You''re already 31, and in another six months, you''ll be 32. If you don''t settle down soon, Second Aunt''s going to worry herself sick."


    River immediately stood up, scooped up Bethany, grabbed Maverick''s hand, and said, "Sister-inw, please call my brother. I''m taking the kids out to y." He had no interest in listening to any more talk about getting married.