Page 38 of Ronan

“At least ya had a turn. I haven’t been able to get him to look twice at me when it comes to shagging me. He’ll flirt, but that’s as far as it goes.”

My curiosity is piqued. I turn slightly to glance at the group once again. I have to stuff my fist in my mouth to keep from bursting into laughter.

It’s the chick who interrupted our kiss at the bar. She’s pouting, making her already long, melted-looking face look longer and more smushed. There is something odd about the way she’s built too.

She’s rail thin and disproportional. Her hair is mousy and greasy looking as well. Did she look this wrecked that night?

“Damn,” I mutter to myself.

Her friends are trading glances as if they’re trying to find a nice way to let her down. I turn away and grab my drink because I’m going to laugh my ass off no matter what they say. I need to keep it pushing.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I murmur as I run into someone.

“Not your fault at all, love. I’ve had one too many for the night. It’s not every day one of yer grands becomes royalty,” Granny McGowan says as she looks up at me.

Cassie takes after her mother in height. The little old woman looks back at me with sparkling hazel eyes and rosy cheeks. The tip of her nose is bright red as well.

If I didn’t already know she was Ronan and Cass’s mom, I would have known right away from the face. She looks like an older version of Cassie. She looks cute this evening.

Her thick red hair has been styled in soft waves. I love her bangs. They play softly just below her brows as a streak of white sits in the left corner. That white streak flows back into the length of her hair on the left side, giving her a hip vibe.

For the wedding, she has a jeweled pin in the right corner holding the waves back over her ear. Laoise and Cianán McGowan are a handsome couple. I can see why they have a beautiful daughter and devastatingly gorgeous sons.

“Congratulations,” I say with a smile.

“I was just wiping his wee arse. Come to think of it, it was only yesterday I had Cass’s spit-up all over me. I’m so proud of her lot. The big fuckers are handsome and give my lads a run for their money in mischief.

“If only I could have married all of mine off before my grands started to marry and give me great-grands. That fucker Ronan does me head in.” She pauses as if she just realizes she’s rambling to a stranger.

We have seen each other like twice since I’ve been in Ireland. Each time, I was in the car as Kaye dropped Dae-Dae off to spend the day with Felix’s grandparents. Today is the first time I’ve spoken to her or her husband.

“Jaysus, those heels must be killing yer feet. Yer a tall one. Have ya met me Ronan yet?” She tilts her head and squints. “Wait a minute. I know who ya are.”

My heart begins to pound in my chest. Did Ronan finally figure out who I am and tell his mother about me? I glance around quickly, but her next words put me at ease.

“Yer the pretty lass who’s here with Kaye. That will be another wedding before ya know it. Mark me words.”

“Felix and Kaye are crazy about each other.”

“Aye, even that little quiet one has found a bird before me Ronan. I’m sick of the lad, I am. Ach, I don’t see a ring on yer finger. C’mere to me, I’ll tell you a tale about me youngest. I’ve been wanting to know more about ya. I need me another whiskey and then ya can walk me to me table to have a yarn,” she says as she gives me a sly smile.

“I … uh …”

“None of that. Ya can’t allow an oul lady to make her way back to her table alone when she’s as pissed as I am, now can ya?”

I give her a smile and shake my head. I’m surprising myself by following her words. She speaks much faster than the others when they talk to me.

When I turn to stand by her side, she bumps me with her hip and then reaches to pinch my butt. I gasp in shock and look down at her with furrowed brows and my mouth hanging open. She’s staring at my ass as she pulls a face and nods.

“I’m just testing the wares. It’s come to me attention that me youngest likes them with curves. How did me Ryan say it? Yer pretty in the face and thick in the waist. Aye, ya will do,” she says and gives a sage nod.

I can’t help but snicker at the little woman. I don’t know why I’m shocked. I’ve met her daughter.

“Hello, Mrs. McGowan,” the woman from the pub says as we approach the bar for Laoise’s drink.

I bite my lip to keep from laughing at my earlier thoughts. I don’t miss that she’s bouncing her gaze nervously between me and Laoise. I get the feeling I’m stepping on her plans to get her shot with Ronan.

“Hello, Keira. Ya do know we’re at a wedding. Ya don’t have to say hello every time ya see me or cross me path. I saw ya the first twenty times, lass.”

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