Page 105 of A Ryan Recollection

“But that’s not fair. I didn’t get you guys hardly anything.”

“We don’t need anything, Red,” Mikey says with a shrug.

“Neither do I,” I protest.

I’m about to go on protesting when Liam jumps up and pulls me into his arms. “You have given us everything we have ever wanted, baby. Please let us spoil you a little. It makes us happy.”

I stare into his beautiful dark eyes. How the hell do I stay mad at him, or any of them?

“You won’t fool me next year,” I say with a fake scowl.

“We already know what we want next year,” Mikey mumbles, earning him a withering look from Shane.

“Eggnog?” Conor shouts as he pushes himself to his feet and the conversation changes before I have a chance to ask Mikey what he means.

“And cookies,” I say with a smile.

“Eggnog and cookies,” Mikey rolls his eyes.

“What? I’m sure they’ll be perfect together,” I say with a shrug.

“I want some of the cookies Mikey made,” Shane says, winking at me.

I put my hands on my hips and glare at him. “Are you saying you don’t want the cookies me and our children made?”

“I’m saying exactly that, sweetheart,” he laughs.

Liam wraps his arm around my waist and kisses my neck. “I’ll have your cookies, baby,” he whispers.

“Later, sex pest,” Conor says giving him a nudge on the arm. “Let’s get this cleared up.”

“I’ll go help Mikey.” I smile and then he and I head to the kitchen while Conor, Liam and Shane tidy up the wrapping paper.

* * *

Conor takesthe glass of eggnog from my hand and then pulls me to sit on his lap, wrapping his huge arms around me and nuzzling my neck, I practically purr in contentment as I snuggle against his hard chest.

“Hey, I forgot to tell you all, I had a call from some magazine wanting to interview me,” he says nonchalantly before taking a sip of his drink.

I open my mouth, about to ask him half a dozen questions, but his brothers get there before me.

“What magazine?” Mikey asks.

“What did you say?” Shane says as at the same time.

“I said, fuck no,” Conor replies with a frown. “Why the hell would some magazine want to put me in it?”

“Um, because you’re a super successful, handsome owner of the hottest nightclub in New York,” I say.

“Part owner,” Mikey adds.

“Yeah, well when I said no, she asked if any of you were available. I said fuck no on your behalf too.”

“You sure it was a magazine and not someone fishing for information?” Shane asks with a scowl — always so suspicious, although I suppose he has reason to be.

Conor shrugs. “Seemed legit. Said she was from that magazine Jessie reads. Ten things I want to know about you, or some shit.”

“TheTen things you didn’t knowcolumn,” I squeal. “I love that feature. It’s one of my favorites. I can totally see why they would want to interview one of you guys for it.”

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