Page 151 of On The Rocks

I peered closer, and it dawned on me why her eyes were so glazed. “Can you see me, babe?”

Her smile fell. “I can’t see a fecking thing, Callum O’Shea. I keep forgetting to send off my new contact lens prescription.”

I busted out a laugh. “Go put your glasses on.”

“But it’ll destroy my sexy red woman fromGame of Thronesaesthetic,” she protested softly. “I’ve been watching it with Tristan. She’s theabsolute bomb.”

“Go put your glasses on, Maeve,” I repeated, leaning down and kissing her frown away.

My wife let out a little grumbly huff but acquiesced anyway. “Oh, alright then.” She turned around and disappeared into the living room, calling back, “But only because you gave me a forehead kiss.”

I stared after her, well, okay, I stared at her ass, grinning at her cuteness.

Seeing her like this, full of life and gorgeously nerdy, made me realize how grey my world had been without her. Maeve was like a beam of light, warming everything she touched, and not just for me, but for everybody around her.

If that was what buying a few books and writing a handful of notes did, then I’d happily spend thousands more dollars because just being around that light was worth bankrupting myself for. I didn’t need trucks or clothes, not even food. All I needed was my wife.

My eyes lifted to Tristan, and I murmured, “Can you stick around?”

His head reared back slightly. “What for?”

“Atlas and the boys are coming over to do some work while Maeve’s out. They’re down in the bar now waiting for us to jet but I need you to keep it on the down-low. It’s a surprise for Maeve. Can you swing it?”

He clapped his hands and jumped up and down excitedly. “Of course I can swing it.” He gave me an exaggerated wink. “Watch and learn, big boy.”

Maeve’s heels tapped on the floor as she hit the hallway. “Shall we go?” she asked, pushing her glasses up her nose.

Tristan reached for his coat and slipped it on while I helped Maeve with hers, and we headed for the door.

As we approached, a slight gurgling noise came from Tristan’s direction.

“Are you okay?” Maeve asked.

His hand went to his gut, and he sucked air in through his nose. “I need the bathroom, Mae Mae.”

“Oh,” she murmured. “We can wait for you.”

He grimaced and rubbed his stomach, sucking air through his teeth while throwing Maeve big eyes. “I may be a while.”

I checked my watch. “We’ve got reservations, wife. We need to go.” Digging into my pocket, I pulled out my keys and proceeded to take mine off the ring. “Maeve’s got her key. You take mine; lock up when you’ve finished and drop it back into me tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” he cried, grabbing it from me and rushing to the bathroom without even a backward glance. “Have a good time. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” A loud fart sounded just as Tris slammed the door closed.

“Sweet baby Jesus,” Maeve breathed.

I stifled a laugh at Tristan’s sound effects and guided my wife through the front door. “Come on. I don’t particularly feel like hanging around while Tristan’s offloading. I don’t wanna ruin my appetite.”

She winced. “Good point. Let’s go.”

Taking her hand, I led her down the stairs and out the back door to the courtyard. I didn’t want to take Maeve through the bar where the boys were. It wasn’t as if she’d get suspicious, but I wanted my plan to be a total surprise.

Lacing our fingers together, I guided her through the courtyard. “You okay walking in those shoes, or shall we go in the truck?”

She looked up at me and laughed. “Giovanni’s is only down the street.”

I squeezed her fingers gently as we walked around the side of the bar and onto Main Street. “Don’t want your feet to hurt.”

“You can carry me if you want,” she sassed.

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