Page 109 of Craving Sin

“Good.”

We get ready, and then the group of us all head to Fia’s house. When we pull up, I see her standing on the porch—a woman with long, black hair and a wide smile.

“Abbott!” she says, meeting us in the driveway. There’s a girl there too, who I assume is her daughter, Aislin, holding hands with a Black woman with braids. “Oh my God. You’re so handsome!” Fia says, and I smile.

“Fia…” Rian grumbles, but the genuine love between them is palpable.

“Shut up, Rian. I’m busy meeting your boyfriend.”

“Hello. You’re kind of great,” I say to her.

“Thank you,” she replies, giving me a hug. “You must be too. I never thought it would be possible for Rian to give his heart away again. He’s a good man.”

“The best,” I reply.

“Come here,” Rian tells her, the two of them hugging before Rian kisses her temple.

Aislin introduces herself next, then her girlfriend, Zuri.

Dean and Tiernan are in the house when we arrive, Conan, Finan, Cillian, Ollie, Rory, and Shai having gone in as well.

The scent of savory meat, potatoes, and garlic fills the loud house, as everyone talks and laughs together.

I’m surprised when Flynn shows up soon too—and Torin, his wife, and their two children.

Everyone makes a point to speak with me, showing me respect because I’m Rian’s, but also, I think, just because that’s the kind of people they are.

At one point, I see Torin and Rian together, laughing about something, Torin wrapping his arm around Rian and pressing a loud kiss to his cheek. It’s wild to see them this way together after their argument the night I met him, but the true love between everyone in this family pulses in the air.

I’m not even sure family is a strong enough word. My father was my family, and he never loved the way they do.

We eat together at a long table, elbows touching, we’re so crowded in.

The food is delicious—the conversation never stops. Most of the time, I sit back and take it in.

When dinner is done, I pick up my plate as Finan says, “Rian. Darts. I’m going to kick your ass.”

Darts? I had no idea that’s something Rian plays.

He turns to me, and I nod toward his friend. “Go on. I’m good,” I say.

“You too, pretty thing. You’re playing.” Rian grins.

“Come on. The dishes aren’t going anywhere. I’ll get the mess later,” Fia tells me.

The younger group announces they’re going to get high, which is something else that’s new for me, as the rest of us head toward a room with a dartboard and a pool table.

“You play darts?” I ask Rian.

“I am very, very good at darts.” He pumps his brows.

“He’s all right,” Finan teases. “But I’m better. You gonna play with us, Doc?”

“I’m good. I’ll watch.”

“Nope. We don’t take no for an answer, you’re playing,” Finan tells me.

“What he said.” Flynn squeezes in behind me, playfully nudging me toward the others. When I make eye contact with Rian, he grins and winks at me.