Page 39 of Temporarily in Love

“I heard they’re selling the bar. That’s a shame.”

“Not if I can help it!” I exclaimed.

Gemma got an excited look in her eye. “Oh, so the Irish food at the Harvest Fest was amazing. Felix is working on redesigning the menu.”

I furrowed my brow at her.

Felix shrugged. “Brian and I got to talking when we were manning the table together.”

“Did he pay you? Because I want to make sure all of you get paid for your time and energy. I want the bar to succeed.”

Felix shook his head. “I sent him an invoice for a deposit, but he said you were the capital.”

“Good.” I turned to Declan. “I’m serious about earlier. Send me an invoice when you’re done with the website.”

“What website?” Nolan asked when he and Avery walked over to the table, bringing dinner over for everyone.

Declan put his hand on my thigh. “I’m going to help redesign Sullivan’s website.”

“Oh, good!” Gemma cheered. “Oh, I have some PR people that might help, too. I’ll email them to you.”

“Gemma, that’s amazing,” I said.

“Okay, no work chat, time to eat!” Avery exclaimed, and we all shut up.

We started with the salad and then moved on to the delicious chicken parmesan main course. Avery was an amazing cook. I was decent in the kitchen, but it was hard working so many hours that I ended up eating a lot of take-out.

“So, how long are you in town for?” Avery asked.

I shrugged. “Not sure yet. To be honest, I came back to save the bar.”

“But your dad still wants to sell?” Nolan asked. He ate one-handed while he held Norah in his other hand. Avery tried to take her off him a while ago, but he wanted her to eat first. It was cute how much he worshiped his wife.

“I have to convince him not to,” I explained.

“Where in California do you live?” Gemma asked.

“Silicon Valley. It’s nice, but I’m glad I came in now. I love this time of year.”

Nolan eyed his brother. “Well, if you got him to take a day off, I’m glad.”

He didn’t seem so glad when he talked to me last time. But I noticed the warning glare Declan sent him when Nolan sat down.

“Well,” Avery said. “We’re glad you could join us for dinner. Declan never brings a guest.”

Nolan grumbled something under his breath.

“Spit it out,” Declan spat at him.

Nolan shook his head.

“No. Say what you have to say,” Declan insisted.

Nolan sighed. “I’m just wondering how long it will take until I have to pick up your pieces again when she leaves and breaks your heart.”

Gemma got wide-eyed, and Felix looked down at his plate, pretending not to witness Nolan’s outburst. Skye looked like she wanted all the tea. This was exactly why I hadn’t wanted to come to dinner.

“I’m a grown-ass man. You don’t get to say shit about who I spend my time with,” Declan snarled.