Page 6 of Surrender
Simon nudged him. “You’re allowed to want that too, you know.”
Keefe said nothing. Instead, he sipped his whiskey and watched as Ginny tripped over her own feet trying to avoid stepping on Dermot’s for what had to be the fifth time. Her laugh echoed across the lawn.
“What about that one?” Simon asked, nodding toward her. “Ginny.”
“She’s sweet. But I don’t know if I think of her like that.”
“Maybe it’s time you tried. Before Tully gets brave enough to pounce. Look, he’s practically drooling.”
Keefe followed Simon’s gaze to the bar where Tully swayed, drink in hand, eyes locked on Ginny like a hawk eyeing a mouse.
With a resigned sigh, Keefe threw back the last of his whiskey, stood, and shed his jacket. “All right. I’m going in.”
Simon raised his glass. “Godspeed. Just don’t let her break your toes like poor Dermot’s.”
On the dance floor, Ginny had just apologized for another accidental stomp when Keefe stepped in. “Mind if I cut in?”
Dermot laughed with relief. What he really wanted to say was, “What took you so long?” Instead, he said, “She’s all yours.”
Keefe took Ginny’s hands and pulled her close enough for comfort, but not so close as to startle her. “So… I see you’ve met Dermot.”
“I did. He showed me a picture of his three kids and a sonogram of the fourth.”
“Fourth?” Keefe blinked. “They’re breeding like rabbits.”
“I think it’s lovely. I’ve always wanted a big family. A couple of kids, a dog, a cat, maybe some chickens.”
“Chickens?”
“Why not? Have you ever collected warm eggs in the morning?”
“Can’t say that I have.”
“Try it sometime. It’s oddly satisfying.”
Keefe smiled. Her warmth was infectious. Her laugh real. Her smiling brown eyes were more captivating than he’d remembered. “And what about the kids and the dog part?”
“I want it all,” she said. “Noise, love, chaos, the whole package.”
“Sounds overwhelming.”
She laughed. “You don’t want a family?”
“I do. Not sure about the chickens though. But… maybe I could be convinced.”
Nearby, Sondra returned to Simon’s lap with a flourish and a full drink. She glanced toward the dance floor. “Looks like it’s working.”
Simon grinned. “Matchmaking genius, that’s me.”
Before Sondra could haul Simon back to the floor, the music cut out and the MC’s voice rang out. “Ladies and gentlemen, our bride and groom are about to make their exit!”
Everyone gathered by the garden gate, sparklers lit and cheers rising. Sophie and Liam came down the path hand in hand, glowing, Sophie’s flower crown slightly askew and Liam looking at her like she held the stars.
Keefe was among the last to approach. He pulled Liam in for a hug. “You’ll take care of her. I know you will.”
“Every damn day,” Liam said.
Then Keefe turned to Sophie and hugged her tightly. “I’ll miss you, you big jerk,” she said.
