Page 113 of Hot Cops

Until he added, “With his heart…and with yours.”

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Landon droppedFinn off after the Orioles game around ten. Then he went down to the pub, sat at the end of the bar and talked to Padraig until closing time.

If her cousin thought it was weird he was drinking alone, Padraig said nothing. Until last call.

“Going upstairs or going home?” Padraig asked.

That was the very question he’d been asking himself for the past few hours.

Landon shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Sure you do. Just depends on which voice you listen to.”

“Voice?” Landon asked.

“The one that’s telling you it’s smarter to go home or the one that’s telling you you’d be a fool to leave.”

“I’m in love with your cousin.”

Padraig rubbed his chin. “Well, Finn’s very fond of you too, but I’m not sure…” His joke fell off when he started to chuckle. “I know you are, Landon.”

“You’re not going to tell me I’m crazy? It’s Sunnie we’re talking about. She’s reckless and wild and she goes through boyfriends the way some people go through underwear. She’s practically been a sister to me my whole life.”

Padraig winked at him. “Pretty sure that sister ship has sailed.”

“She doesn’t want a relationship. Doesn’t want to settle down.”

“Yet. She doesn’t want to settle downyet.”

Landon blew out a long breath. “So I should listen to the voice that says go home?”

Padraig shook his head. “I’m not going to tell you what to do because it’s not my place. I’m only going to say this—life is too short for regrets, too short to not take a chance on your dreams.”

“Mia…” Landon started, then stopped, hoping he hadn’t upset Padraig by mentioning his late wife.

Padraig nodded. “Mia taught me that. She told me dream big. How big are your dreams, Landon?”

“I’m going upstairs.”

Padraig chuckled. “Good decision.”

Landon climbed the stairs, slowing when he reached the top and realized the television was still on. What would he say if Finn was still awake?

He continued on, only slightly relieved to find Colm sprawled out on the couch.

Colm sat up slowly when Landon appeared, his eyes narrowing briefly in confusion. Then he grinned.

“Which direction you headed?” Colm asked.

Like his twin brother, Colm saw everything Landon had been fighting like the devil to hide from Sunnie and Finn.

Landon pointed toward the hallway that led to Sunnie’s room, the opposite direction from the staircase that would take him up to the extra bed in Finn’s room.

Colm stood up and slapped him on the shoulder encouragingly. “Yeah. That’s what I thought. Good luck. And um, I think this is my cue to go to bed. Don’t want to run the risk of hearing anything you might do to my impressionable, sweet little cousin.”

Landon chuckled. “Surprised you managed to say that whole thing without laughing.”

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