Page 37 of Lucky Strike

“She does?” I can’t help but smile. Sloane Kelly was fussy about her kids’ sugar intake when we were younger. Guess it’s true what they say, that becoming a grandparent makes you indulgent.

“Yes, but I have to be quiet.” He pulls his hand away just long enough to put a finger to his mouth. “You, too.”

“I will,” I promise.

“Bria the Cheese, in the flesh!”

There’s only one person who calls me that. Thankfully. I look up as Tristan Kelly lopes over, his happy smile rivaling his nephew’s. “Hey, Tristan.” I laugh as he pulls me into a hug, swinging me around so exuberantly that one of my sandals flies off.

“Whoops.” Tristan sets me down, letting me lean on him while Liam runs to grab the shoe. “It’s good to see ya!”

“It’s good to see you too, you goof.” I poke his bicep, grateful that he seems to be the exact same as he always was. “Jeez, you’re huge! What’re you eating?”

“Like that, huh?” He flexes his biceps, grinning even harder when Conlan grumbles what an ass he is.

Liam comesback with my sandal, angling it onto my foot like I’m Cinderella. Once it’s on, he launches himself into Tristan’s arms. “You’re so silly! You made Bria’s shoe come off.”

“That’s what Sundays are for. The sillies!” He spins Liam around, giving him the same treatment. “Hey, Lucky.” The brothers embrace, thumping each other’s backs. Everyone used to say they looked so much alike, but side by side, the differences are plain. “Mom and Dad here already?”

“They’re probably inside with everybody else.” Conlan rests his hand on Liam’s back to steer him up the steps.

But Liam resists and reaches back for me, fingers wiggling insistently. Conlan’s eyes drift to mine as I take Liam’s hand, and we walk inside together. I’ve never been to this particular church, but a deep calm washes over me as I dip my fingers in the holy water. It’s the sunlight glowing through the intricately stained glass, the cheerful hum of chatter. It’s the smell, a mix of polished wood, the incense the priests use, and the melted wax of devotional candles. Ma brought us to Mass every Saturday night until Taya went to college and I went to Edenbrook. My attendance has been sporadic since then, but I always find solace when I do come.

We stop every couple of feet as the Kelly brothers greet someone different. Some call Conlan by his given name, mostly older folks, but plenty of guys call him Lucky, too. I receive a few curious glances as I trail behind, people probably wondering which of these guys I belong to. Little do they know, it’s Liam.

Sloane Kelly’s eyes brighten when she sees me, and she pushes past her sons to scoop up Liam and hug me in one move. “Bria! Oh, honey—I’m so glad you came today! We have a lot of catching up to do. How’ve you been?” She smooches Liam loudly. “And how’s my favorite boy?”

“I’m good, Nana.” He pats her cheek with one hand and wipes her kiss off with the other. “Bria’s my friend. She lives with me.”

“I heard,” Sloane says, beaming at me. “I’ve known Bria for a long time, you know.”

Looking around, I recognize several of the Kellys’ friends sitting nearby.The inner circle. They’re older now, but I’d never forget. Owen makes a big deal out of my “return to the family” while Sloane gushesover her boys and then we finally settle into the pew. Liam smooshes himself between his grandparents, leaving me beside Conlan. It’s been years since I was so close to him and my stupid heart pangs every time his arm brushes against mine. It’s like muscle memory, and it’s annoying.

Maeve bustles in during the first reading, earning a few dirty looks as she wriggles down the pew with whispered apologies. I’m glad she’s here. We text each other a lot, but we haven’t had much time to hang out. “I love that dress,” she mouths, wiggling her eyebrows.

I squeeze her knee in thanks. I wore the only appropriate thing I had, the emerald green midi dress I wore beneath my college graduation gown.

We sing, we kneel, we listen, we pray. I’m doing my best to focus on Father Gregory’s words when Conlan suddenly grabs my hand. I shoot him a startled look, but his eyes are closed. Then Maeve takes my other hand, and I realize the whole congregation’s holding hands. “Our Father, who art in heaven…”Right. The Lord’s Prayer. Face on fire, I squeeze my eyes shut and recite it along with everyone else.

“Bria’sback where she belongs, and all is right with the world,” Maeve says, sipping her mimosa contentedly. “Be honest: how in love with my nephew are you?”

“Completely,” I admit. “He’s a total cinnamon roll.”

We’re at brunch with her family, taking up an enormous corner booth, and it does feel like all is right with the world. The Kellys have always been an affectionate, rowdy bunch. Nothing’s changed in that regard.

“He is,” she coos, gazing at Liam. He’s on his grandfather’s lap, sharing a giant bowl of fruit with him. Tristan’s beside them, folding a piece of paper into an origami animal for his nephew. “I knew you guys would get along.”

Smiling, I spear a fat blueberry and pop it into my mouth. “He’s pretty irresistible, even when he’s being naughty.”

“Speaking of naughty…” Maeve scoots closer and I just know what’s coming. “How’s my brother been?”

“The opposite of a cinnamon roll.”

She cackles loudly, and with relish. Conlan’s deep in conversation with Sloane across the table, but he glances over, eyes slightly narrowed like he senses we’re talking shit. “Yeah, he’s uptight these days.”

“Understatement of the year. I feel like I don’t even know him anymore.”

“Aww, I know. He’s got a lot of people counting on him, lots of responsibilities.” Maeve bites her lip, her eyes darting around. “But we’ll talk about that later, okay? I don’t want to get into it here.”

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