“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” She snickered. “I can include you in my reading nook. I’ll even share my armchair with you.”
Interested in the prospect, I arched a brow. “Seriously? That’s the only place I’m not welcome in the apartment.”
“You’re welcome. You’re just not allowed to disturb me.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“You do that,” she said smugly then laughed. “Jake’s focused on the prize.”
“Just like his father. Watch him share it, though. He’s a sucker for Cam.”
“He’s his baby bro. LyLy has them wrapped around her finger too.” Finn chuckled. “I think I’m seeing a trend. All the girls are nightmares and the boys are their supporting acts.”
Inessa crowed, “Rightly so.”
I glanced over at Finn, who smiled at the scene before him. It was hard to believe that he’d get sappy over this shit, but becoming a father was hell on the heart.I’d seen four of my siblings fall into that madness, so I recognized the descent.
“You ever think about how Da must have been before he had kids?”
Finn’s brows shot up. “No. I don’t willingly give myself nightmares.”
“He wouldn’t have beenthatbad,” Inessa excused as she dipped her hand into the popcorn bowl.
“Says who?” I scoffed.
“Who wouldn’t have been that bad?” Brennan asked.
When he tried to get some of Inessa’s popcorn, I hissed. “Get your fucking own. This is Inessa’s.”
Brennan jolted when Ren and Stimpy joined me in hissing at him in my defense.
“Oh, it’s like that, is it?”
“Yeah, it fucking is.”
Finn heaved a sigh. “If I have to break you two and the crepes apart, I will.”
“Camille’s methods worked.” Inessa chuckled. “I’ll even tell you where we store the produce if you need to know.”
“Not more potatoes.” Brennan groaned, but pride loaded down his grin.
Inessa smirked as I shook my head—that tale had made the rounds at Ma’s calamity of a Christmas meal. “If Camille’s at the end of her tether, then it’s Finn we have to feel sorry for. You’ve been dealing with this a lot longer than we have.”
I lifted my hand and played the world’s tiniest violin.
Finn shoved my arm. “They’re talking about Da, Brennan. If having kids softened him.”
Brennan sneered, “Yeah, I don’t think so. Or if it did, it happened by the time you were born, Eoghan. It’s why you’re such a fucking brat.”
I narrowed one eye at him, aimed my finger, and lifted it sharply. “I know where you sleep.”
“And your wife is my wife’s sister so my ass is fucking safe.” Brennan sneered at me and, giving the cats a wide berth, stalked over to the other couch, where he tugged Camille onto his lap like she was his real-life teddy bear.
“You two spend too much time together,” Finn remarked.
“I’ve had him over three nights this week!Andwe’ll be having Orthodox celebrations here!”
“Stop grumbling.” Inessa jabbed my arm with a fingernail. “We only have it at home because you can ensure the perimeter’s secure. He accommodates your issues all the time—Oh, Jake!Look at your haul.” He shot her a shy smile and handed her a piece of candy. She squealed. “I love this one.”
