I looked up and stared into his incredible bright blue eyes, trying to see deeper into the man behind them.
There was no doubt I was attracted to Donovan, probably even more than I was three years before. I’d seen a side of him that I liked a whole damned lot, too. He ran deeper than I ever realized, and I recognized it because DJ was the same way. But mainly, he’d had my back, and it was nice.
“Are you gonna treat me right, O’Shea?” I demanded gently. “I know it’s just one date, but if things progress, I don’t want the bullshit fuckboy; I want the real you because I’ve got a feeling this Donovan standing before me is worth the risk.”
His eyes went soft and liquid-like at my words. “I’ve never done this before. I dunno how good I’m gonna be at it, but I know for damned sure that you’re one of the very few women I’ve met who makes me wanna try.”
God only knew what had gotten into me, but I could feel myself metaphorically jumping out of a high-assed plane and free-falling toward the ground. Still, I took the leap and prayed to God that I wouldn’t hit the earth with a big ol’ splat while voicing my reply.
“I’ll think about it.”
CHAPTER 3
DONOVAN
All the research I’d done for my best man’s speech conveyed it shouldn’t be more than eight minutes long, and I couldn’t go too far with the humiliating stories. The biggest no-no was talking about Callum’s past women.
Oops.
When we got back to the wedding with DJ and Gabby in tow, it was almost time to get up and humiliate my brother. I’d prepared for weeks, but still, I’d gone way past my allocated timeslot and I’d also over-shared.
The crowd had loved it, especially Atlas, who I could hear roaring with laughter every time I relayed an embarrassing Callum O’Shea tale.
My big brother looked like he was about to strangle me, and Mam was probably getting the skillet ready to smash my skull to pieces the second I walked off stage.
Ahh well. It was worth it just to see my brother squirm.
Smug bastard.
I leaned into the microphone again, eyeing Cal, who sat down on the dance floor on a throne-like chair alongside Maeve, who had tears in her eyes from laughter (thank God), and then I delivered the punchline. “So, in light of that conversation, Iknew back then that Callum would take Maeve to Ireland for their honeymoon. Especially since he told me he didn’t care where they went, as long as he got toBangor.”
Atlas’s guffaw went up alongside a roar of laughter from the crowd.
Maeve buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with her uncontrolled laughter.
Callum glowered.
I didn’t give a fuck. The stupid bastard knew what would happen if he asked me to be best man, and I was about to milk it for all it was worth.
“All joking aside,” I went on. “Callum, I gotta say, brother, you’re the luckiest man in the world. You get to leave here today with a wife who’s beautiful, kind, caring, and who everybody loves and adores. Maeve, you’re lucky, too. You get to leave here today with a fabulous dress and the sexiest brother-in-law a girl could wish for.”
More laughter went up.
I began flicking through congratulatory notes and telegrams that had started arriving a week ago. “Ma’s family back in Roscommon sends their apologies. They couldn’t make it today but wish you a long and happy marriage. The same from Da’s sister in Belfast; Aunt Margaret sends all her love and says she can’t wait to see you when you arrive there on your honeymoon.” I stopped at the next one and did a theatrical double-take. “Your old football teammates from college send their apologies, Callum. The boys couldn’t be here today, but they wanted me to pass along a message to Maeve.” I paused, waiting for the room to quieten down. “They told me to let you know that he was useless in most positions, and they hope that you have better luck tonight.”
More laughter filled the room, and I heard another roar go up from Atlas.
“Lord deliver me,” I heard Ma cry.
Callum’s cheeks burned.
Maeve almost fell off her chair laughing.
My attention was caught by Mam, who ran her index finger across her throat, simulating what she was about to do to me while she glared daggers. So I put the telegrams down on the table beside me, picked up my glass, and called out,
“Callum and Maeve, may your troubles be less and your blessings be more. May you never lie, steal, or cheat—but if you must lie, be sure to lie with each other every night. If you must steal, steal each other’s hearts every day. And if you must cheat, cheat death to live a long and beautiful life together.” Raising my glass high, I yelled, “Friends, family, and loved ones, please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple... Callum and Maeve.”
The entire room stood, raised their glasses, and let out a shout of, “Callum and Maeve,” while my brother tagged his wife’s nape, pulled her close, and landed a hot smooch on her lips.
