Page 59 of Taming Irish

That cracks a smile fromher.

“Come on,” I say, opening my door. “I promise ye’ll enjoy yerself. Ye might have yer ear chatted off by my mother,but-”

“Your mom’s here?” She groans and rests her head on the back of her seat. “Look what I’mwearing-”

“She won’t care what ye’re wearing. All she’ll be focused on is that I finally brought a woman home. And she’ll fall in love with ye, just likeI-”

Shit.

I cough and let go of her hand, then awkwardly get out of thecar.

Jeezus, I’m losingit.

Makena slowly gets out of the car, but I don’t reach for her hand this time. Not when I see the confused look that plays across herexpression.

There’s a tension between us that wasn’t there a moment ago. One that I put there. Because damn if the woman doesn’t have me mumbling all types of romantic bullshit that would normally tickle my gag reflex just hearingit.

“Maybe this isn’t a great idea,” she says, staring up at the house that Aiden personally designed and had built for my sister. It’s inviting and warm, just like Emer, but the size is impressive and slightlyintimidating.

Most women would be fawning all over themselves to meet the band, but not Makena. And I know it’s more than just her dickhead ex-husband and the shit he’s put her through. She’s not someone who places value on people because of their name orstatus.

I like her more for it, even if I wouldn’t mind her fawning a little overme.

“We’re here now.” I place a hand on her lower back as I lead her up to the large stonehouse.

Not bothering to knock, I open the door, immediately bombarded by noise. People clamor, talking over each other, laughter mixed with an infant’s high-pitched cry and a dog’s bark. Music plays in the background, and the scent of my mom’s stew and meat pies fills mynostrils.

This ishome.

It isn’t the house, but the people that occupyit.

Myfamily.

As much as I like to complain about them, they’re all I have. That, and my music, which at the moment is almost non-existent.

It’s my brother-in-law, Aiden, that sees us first as he comes out of the kitchen holding two glasses ofwine.

“Ye made it. We were beginning to wonder if ye were coming-” He stops when he sees Makena. His confused look quickly turns into a knowing grin. “Well, hellothere.”

I warn him with a glare, practically able to see his brain spinning with what he thinks thisis.

“Makena, this isAiden.”

Aiden nods, his hands currently occupied. “Nice to meet ye, Makena. Do ye prefer red or white?” he asks, lifting the two glasses he’s holding towardher.

“White would be wonderful.” She takes it from him, and I lead her into the large, open room where the racket is comingfrom.

There’s a hush as soon as we enter, all eyes darting between Makena and I like we just walked into the room wearing sparkling unicorn costumes and banging tambourines. Even my niece, Cadence, who hasn’t started to walk yet, has the same surprised gaping look the rest of themdo.

“Good job on not making this awkward, guys,” I say, chuckling with an ease I don’t feel. “Makena, this is myfamily.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.” With Cadence on her hip, Emer walks towards us and pulls Makena into a half hug, which I should have warned her about. My sister hugs everyone. Even when they clearly aren’t comfortable with it. “Shane doesn’t usually bring…friendsto familyevents.”

Makena gives a small, tight smile. “I didn’t realize I was coming toone.”

“That’s my brother, always one for surprises.” Emer gives me a side glance that’s full of questions, then looks back at Makena. “Ye’ll be joining us for dinner,then?”

“I…”

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