Page 39 of Ronan

“Sorry, I … I just?—”

Laoise grabs my hand and pulls me closer to her side. Amused, I take a sip of my drink. At least what’s left that didn’t spill on the floor.

“Keira, have ya met Dean? She’s a pretty one, isn’t she? She’s not caked and she smells nice too.” Laoise gives an excited giggle then whispers. “I think I might have a shot with this one. Jonah told me Ronan has the hots for the bird. She’ll make a fine daughter-in-law, she will.

“Let that fucker of mine tell me she’s peeled or banjaxed. I’m going to see him married before I make it to me pine box, so it is.”

Keira looks me over with a pinched expression on her face. Instead of correcting Laoise, I pop my hip out, cross my arms over my chest and glare back at Keira. How dare she look at me like I’m beneath her or some shit.

“Are ya sure she’s his type? He’s been dancing with that blonde from America.”

Laoise waves her off. “Did ya not hear me say me lad told me his little brother has a glad eye for this lass? She be his type all right. The good Lord knows I tried with the lot of ya tarts who keep letting me down.

“She’s from America too. Maybe this will work since that’s where he spends most of his time. Aye, let me get me drink, we have a lot to chat about,” Laoise says and turns to the bartender.

“Just give me a bottle of whiskey and another of what me new daughter-in-law is having. I think I spilled her cup a wee bit.”

The bartender looks at me as if for permission to serve her more liquor. I shrug my shoulders and put down my now-empty glass.

“Thank ya,” Laoise says once he hands over the bottle and my drink.

Keira forgotten, Laoise grabs my hand and drags me off to her table. So much for needing my help to get there. When we get to the table, Cassie, Joe, and Cianán are sitting there waiting.

Joe is holding Toby’s son and Cianán has Toby’s daughter. The two are knocked out as if at the end of a hard day’s work. They’re gorgeous, each with a little crown on their head—little royal angels.

“I thought ye said ye were going to the jacks,” Cassie says as she eyes the bottle of whiskey in her mother’s hands.

“Oh, I might have forgotten about that. When ya get me age, the need will come and go for ya too. Mind yer own business. Besides, I got caught up talking with me new friend here. Come have a seat, Dean.”

“I apologize now for whatever has and will come out of her mouth,” Cassy groans.

“She’s been on her best behavior,” I say and wink at Laoise.

“I knew I liked ya. Are ya a whiskey girl? This is a bottle of Ronan’s favorite.”

“For fuck’s sake. This is what ye be up to?”

“Joe, please tell yer wife I don’t give a cold witch’s tits if this be her son’s wedding and she be a grown woman. I’ll take off me shoe and batter her, I will. So it is.”

I nearly spit out the sip I just took. These tiny women are too much. Laoise waves Cass off and turns to me expectantly.

“Tell me all about yerself. Where do ya live in the States?”

I glance toward the dance floor and find Ronan still dancing with the pretty blonde. His mother wants to know about me, but it seems her son has lost interest.

This type of shit only happens to me.

* * *

Ronan

“Ryan just texted me.He didn’t go for a walk after all. He’s calling it a night and heading to bed,” Reilly calls across the table.

“Aye, I got the same text,” Carrick says.

Malcolm snorts. “The party hasn’t even ended. Is this what we have to expect in America?”

“Will ya shut yer gub. No one is to know we’re going yet,” Carrick hisses while glaring at Heather’s friend Lucy sitting beside me with a long face.

---