Page 104 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
She blew him a kiss. “Just saying. I wouldn’t mind seeing that fine man again even though we have never been so busy at the salons. The press after the fire was like some insane advertisement for us. Lily. Sheila. Nails on the house anytime too, but I don’t like you like that.”
Sheila hooted. “Too bad. You’re a catch.”
Tara buffed her nails on her shoulder. “I know, and I’m just starting to remember how much. Reagan, honey, you want to come with Mommy?”
“No, I’ll stay with Cassidy,” the little girl said, smiling up at Robbie.
There was admiration in her eyes, and he had to admit, he liked it. “You’re a good big sister. Now, is everyone okay here?”
Lily glanced at Sheila, who nodded slowly. “Tim, I’m going to need CliffsNotes.”
“Add me to your speed dial,” his brother said, kissing her cheek, “but I think your understanding is in the top percentile already.”
“Meaning I’m an idiot?” Sheila said, cocking her hip.
“Billie Speak is tough even for his brothers,” Robbie said diplomatically. “Sheila, weren’t you going to buy Tim a drink?”
“It’s a free bar.” She tagged Tim’s arm. “But I’ll get you a symbolic drink. Come on, Shakespeare. Maybe we can poke at your other brothers more. This girl needs some entertainment.”
Tim cast her a conspiratorial glance. “It would be my pleasure.”
Great. Robbie could see the blowup coming already. “Tim.”
His brother looked over, a smile dancing over his lips.
“Thanks.”
Inclining his chin, as if he were one of the tough O’Connor boys, Tim lifted his shoulder. “You got it.”
As they left, Robbie turned to Lily, Cassidy babbling in his arms. “Well, a fight might ensue. Are you still willing to help me make some arrests if Shakespeare over there ends up causing trouble?”
She laid her hand on his back, surveying the happy crowd as Cassidy babbled to herself. “I think we can handle everyone. Besides, we have Sheila.”
He looked over his shoulder. She was laughing with Tim at the bar as he talked with his hands, likely spouting more Shakespeare, if the grimace on Danny’s face was any indication. He cut his gaze to Billie. His brother was propped up against one of the wooden posts in the bar, sipping a Guinness, his blue eyes downright frosty. Yeah, his brother liked Sheila. A lot.
“What are the odds Sheila will take her car over to Billie to get it fixed?” he asked.
“I have no idea.” She gave her partner a quick glance. “Seems like it should be pretty fast though, huh? Got any ideas?”
He did. “Reagan, put your hands over your ears for a sec.”
The little girl frowned but did as he asked.
“Are you up for a little car tampering this week? Maybe mess with the starter so she can’t drive to work.”
Her smile crested across her face, making him think of Tim’s earlier Shakespeare quote.Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.God, he was really getting sappy.
“I think I can fit you in between criminal interrogations and paperwork,” she quipped. “And I must say, Lieutenant O’Connor, I do like your creative strategy.”
He only hoped the not-so-happy couple would too.
What would a brother do for another? A whole lot, it seemed.
“Have I become a total sap?”
She eyed him, love and happiness flashing in her beautiful eyes. “Yes, but I like it.”
He did too actually. Not that he’d admit it out loud.
