Page 579 of Lodestar

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CONOR

FIVE DAYS LATER

“Conor! Where the hell is Eoghan?”

I smiled at my sister-in-law. “He said he was going to be running late.”

Inessa scowled at me. “Why didn’t he tellmethat?”

“Probably because he figured I’d let you know.”

“I know you’re not married yet, Conor, but you should know that communication is key, and using your brother as a messenger isn’t better than a cellphone.”

“Don’t be too hard on him, Inessa. He’s doing me a favor.”

That had curiosity filtering into her gaze. “He’s been better since Star started those poker games.”

“He has, hasn’t he?”

“Drinking less,” she confirmed. “Happier. Still has his days. I can’t walk into a park without him seeking out sniper’s nests, but generally, he’s more upbeat than before. This favor of yours…”

“Won’t hurt his progress.”

She hummed. “I’ll hold you to that.”

I grabbed her hand and raised it to my mouth so I could kiss her knuckles. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

“The real tragedy is that this dress is being wasted on my brother-in-law and not my husband,” she grumbled. “How long is this favor going to take— Wait. This is why he had Brennan pick me up, isn’t it? Dammit, he isn’t coming at all, is he?”

“Unlikely,” I admitted.

“What a jackass move. I swear, you O’Donnelly brothers think you can get away with murder because you’re all so damn pretty.”

My lips curved into a grin. “I’m not sure that’s why we get away with the stunts we pull.”

“Maybe not with the cops, but definitely with your wives.” She stacked her hands on her hips. "Brennan told Camille to tell you that he and Declan are dealing with some soccer person.”

“That’s the president of a very important soccer club, Inessa,” I chided.

“If you say so.” She sniffed dismissively. “I suppose we’re both messengers for our in-laws tonight.”

“You’re better at it than me though.” I winked at her. “Lisandra’s here, isn’t she? I seem to remember Star mentioning something about you enjoying dancing with her…”

A twinkle gleamed in her eye. “I see where you’re going. I think I will take this as an opportunity to dance and get drunk with Camille and Lisandra.

“The best part is Brennan will keep all the men two feet away and I don’t have to deal with his angry growls tonight, Camille can!” Before I could utter a word, she patted my cheek. “Best brother-in-law ever.”

As she waltzed off, I called out, “Save that for Brennan later.”

Without turning back, she waved a hand in the air, evidently on the hunt for Lisandra and Camille now that she had a game plan for the evening.

Though Eoghanwasdoing Star and me a favor, I smirked because Inessa deserved to let her hair down for a night and Eoghan was a jackass for leaving it to me to tell her he wasn’t going to make the gala.

With a glance around the massive event hall, I knew Star would be happy to hear that I agreed with most of her decorative choices. She’d ultimatelywon the ‘no ice sculpture’ argument as well as the other fight for more ‘environmentally friendly’ options.

Each of the tables had a pruned herb bush in the center, for example, which should have been both ridiculous and hilarious but was actually damn smart because the air was scented with their perfume and it added to the aura of the so-called ‘winter wonderland’ theme, especially as what appeared to be powdered sugar frosted the leaves.

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