Page 126 of Forever Flames: Padraig & Stevie
“All of them?” Isla’s voice jumps an octave.
“Every one.”
She glows now, a kind of light no one can fake. “My friends don’t believe me when I say I know people in Fireball and LTZ. Now I get to add ‘sold-out artist.’”
“Wait. So you and Liam really are rock stars?” Lila looks impressed.
Padraig’s mouth tugs sideways. “Connor too. Sometimes we play our instruments in front of very large crowds.”
“My music teacher said one of your songs is in a TV show.” Lila’s giggle pops out before she can catch it. “She acted all funny when I told her you were Mommy’s friend.”
He winces, hand over his heart. “Maybe Liam and I can give her a signed poster or something.”
“Can we go home, Mama?” Jude’s thumb finds his mouth, his other hand curls into my hair.
It’s the cue. Around us, the room shifts. Voices dip, chairs scrape, coats are fetched from the hook by the door. Lila disappears for a moment and returns with her boots half-laced. Isla stands with her hands in her pockets, sneaking glances at Padraig, who made a good impression.
Rory gets to his feet, slow from the long day, and kisses the top of my head before leaning in. “Good day, love. You did well.”
My dad clasps Padraig’s hand, firm and steady, before scooping Jude from my arms so I can get my shoes on. Across the room, my mom slips a container into my tote without a word, certain it’ll be the kids’ lunch tomorrow.
Maureen folds each of my kids into her arms, lingering a fraction longer with Isla, her gaze meeting mine in a quiet promise to keep this momentum. Joni and Ziggy corner Lila on the way to the door, teasing her about her Taylor Swift fixation until she dissolves into giggles.
Around us, the McGloughlin brothers juggle armfuls of leftovers, voices overlapping in the familiar tangle of a family trying to leave but never quite ready to say goodbye. The lot of us spill onto the front steps and depart. Car doors slam and engines turn over one by one.
Padraig waits as I get the kids settled. Isla climbs into the backseat, pressing herself to the window, Lila slides in beside her and immediately tells her about the fort she’s planning for the living room. I strap Jude into his seat, and shut the door.
“Call when they’re asleep.” Padraig holds my door for me as I get in.
I smile up at him. “Will do.”
We drive home with the windows cracked. By the time I park, Jude’s out, a faint smile on his face. Inside, I move all of them through their bedtime routine on autopilot. Pajamas. Teeth. Stories. Lights out.
When the kids are asleep, I complete my own nighttime ritual, stretch out on the bed and call him.
“You cozy?” His handsome face fills the screen.
“Yeah. Everyone’s out cold.”
“Good day?”
“Better than I expected.” I think of how much fun my kids had. “It felt easy. You really hit it off with Isla and she’s the toughest nut to crack.”
“Aye, though we were chums the first time I met her…” Padraig stops, realizing it was when Coop was alive. “Sorry, I never know where the line is. Ma was right, tiny steps.”
My mind races back to the awkward dinner when Padraig showed up. “It’s okay. I forgot, but you’re right. She warmed up to you right away.”
“Anyway, I’m glad we had today before I leave tomorrow. I feel good about how it went.” He settles back against his pillows.
“I do too.” I can’t help it when a smile takes over my face.
He shuts his eyes and takes a breath. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you more,” I tease.
He huffs a quiet laugh. “We’ll see. I’ve gotta be up around four a.m. We may be filling in for LTZ, but we don’t have the budget for a private jet.”
“Liam seemed pretty contrite tonight. Are things better?” I know he and his brother are struggling. Liam’s giving Padraig a guilt trip, which is more rooted in he doesn’t want to lose his twin.
