Page 595 of Lodestar

Was it just me or did he sound grumpier about that than usual?

“They have sex, but they clean up too. Clean up, locked doors, and music. Or the sprogs think you’re crying.”

“That sounds like the voice of experience talking.”

“It is. I had Jake and Kat thinking Conor made me cry for weeks after the fact.”

He rolled his eyes. “Conor told me Kat asked him if she can be an O’Donnelly.”

I grinned. “He’s proud.”

“He is.” He grabbed the OJ bottle from my grip and poured it into his mouth from a height. “There, so I don’t offend your sensibilities,” he mocked once he’d swallowed.

I sniffed.

“I’m surprised she didn’t ask to be a Sullivan.”

“Why would she when she knows I’ll be an O’Donnelly eventually?”

“You’re not stringing him along?”

I groaned. “We’re not back to you being protective, are we?”

“I’m just watching out for my kid brother,” he retorted, giving me the side-eye.

“Why would I be stringing him along?”

“Because he’s helping you with your ‘mission.’”

This time, it wasmegivinghimthe side-eye, and mine was loaded with stink. “You’re not ruining my day, Brennan O’Donnelly. I just realized that your brother stopped giving me heartburn and I’m not letting you spoil my epiphany.”

“Heartburn?” he repeated, his brow puckering. “He gave you heartburn?”

I wafted a hand. “Never mind.”

“Hell, no. I’m curious now. Why does he give you heartburn?”

“I said he’dstoppedgiving it to me.”

“Why did he give it to you in the first place?”

“Because he always knows how to say the right thing and it’s so beautiful it hurts. But I’ve gotten used to it. So now there’s no hurt, just…” I mumbled into the bottle. “…good feelings.”

“Good feelings. Damn, Kid must have some patience.”

“Why must I?”

I twisted around and found Conor standing in the doorway. He must have gone back to the kitchen because he had two croissants in his hand. As he strolled over to me, I wasn’t surprised that one had ham and cheese in it—my preference.

“Because she’s a piece of work, that’s why.”

“Your brother is wearing Eau de Camille,” I countered.

Conor’s nose crinkled. “Jesus, Brennan, there are kids around.”

“So? They don’t come near me.”

“That’s because you frighten them all away,” I retorted.

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