“You too.” Fora moment Preacher looked like he was going to say something elseand Kira held her breath. There was no telling what the tattooartist would say. In some ways, he seemed even more protective ofher than her actual brother.
He studiedConnor for a few seconds more. “Be good to her.”
“I will,”Connor said.
“You better.”Preacher took a drink of beer before turning away.
Connor leaneddown and put his mouth to her ear. “Would you think less of me if Isaid I was just a tiny bit afraid of the giant tattooed guy?”
She giggled andshook her head and Connor pressed a kiss against her temple.Addison reached across the table and took her hand.“Congratulations, Kira. Harrison and I are so proud of you. Aren’twe, Harrison?”
“Sure are,babe.” Harrison, he was tall and on the thin side with blond hairand dark blue eyes, smiled at Kira. “If your client needs acorporate lawyer, you’ll give him my name, right?”
“Yeah, ofcourse,” Kira said. “But I thought you were already pretty busy atwork.”
Harrison gaveher an easy grin. “A lawyer can never have too many clients,Kira.”
The serverappeared and poured some wine into her glass and into Connor’s.“I’ll be back to take your order in a few minutes.”
Addison’s phonewas ringing, and she pulled it from her purse. She answered it andsaid, “Hold on a minute.”
She turned thescreen toward Kira and Kira made a soft sound of happiness.“Harper!”
Harper’ssmiling face filled Addison’s phone screen. “Congratulations,honey! I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks,Harper.” Kira took the phone from Addison. “How are you?”
“I’m good,”Harper replied. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there in person tonight tocelebrate with you.”
“That’s allright,” Kira said. “This is mostly acceptable.”
Harper laughedand blew a kiss at her. “I really am very proud of you, honey.”
“Thank you! Oh,I, um, want you to meet my boyfriend, Connor,” Kira said.
No doubt Addiehad told Harper all about the fake relationship, but it would lookrude if Kira didn’t introduce them. She tilted the phone so Harpercould see Connor. “Harper, this is Connor. Connor, this is my otherbestie, Harper.”
“Nice to meetyou,” Connor said.
“You as well.”Harper smiled at him. “I hear you’re an excellent dentist and aneven better ball player.”
Connor gave hera modest grin. “I do my best.”
Harper laughedand Kira turned the phone back to face just her. “How’s NewYork?”
“It’s good.Listen, I’ll call you next week and we’ll get completely caught up,but right now I’m going to let you go so you can enjoy your specialnight. Love you, Kira!”
“Love you too,Harper.” Kira made a kissy face at Harper before handing Addie backher phone.
Addie smiled atHarper. “I’ll call you later.”
She tucked herphone away and Ray tapped his glass with his knife. “I’d like tomake a toast.”
As Ray began tospeak, Kira smiled up at Connor. He returned her smile beforeputting his arm around the back of her chair. She leaned againsthim, warmth and happiness infusing her entire body.
* * *
Connor made hisway through the crowded bar section toward the bathrooms. It hadbeen almost three hours and – he grinned a little – Kira wasstarting to show the effects of the wine she drank with dinner. Shewasn’t exactly drunk, but she was definitely tipsy, and he’dquickly realized that he found a tipsy Kira incrediblyadorable.