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“Robert—”
“Which would be a particular shame,” he continues, speaking over me, “considering nature has already provided such a substantial advantage.”
Alex gestures at him as though he’s discovered proof of a miracle.
“See?” he says triumphantly. “He agrees. You are, objectively, a handsome man coasting through life on your good looks.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“It’s exactly what you said. You just used more syllables.”
Robert opens his mouth to argue, but then, to my horror, the corner of his mouth twitches.
“Aye,” he concedes. “I reckon that is more or less the conclusion.”
Alex nearly chokes on his laugh.
I stare at them both.
“I regret introducing the two of you.”
That only makes them laugh harder.
Shaking his head, Robert finally crosses the room and claps my shoulder. It’s not hard. It’s not soft. It’s exactly what it needs to be.
“We’re happy for you,” he says. “Truly.”
Alex nods, some of the mischief easing. “Yeah. Can’t say I expected you to be moving this fast, but… I’m happy. She—” He clears his throat. “She deserves a man who looks at her the way you do.”
Robert’s gaze slides to Alex, mild as a sermon and twice as pointed. “Please,” he says. “Let’s not pretend you’re some great advocate for caution. If Róisín asked you to jump headfirst off a cliff, you’d be midair before she finished the sentence.”
I laugh before I can stop myself.
Alex tries—and fails—to look offended.
“Oh, go to hell,” he grumbles, but colour climbs his neck all the same. “I’ve got excellent self-preservation. I’d at least bargain a kiss out of her first.”
Robert’s smile is brief but genuine. Then his attention settles on me once more, calm as ever. “You’ve been pacing since before dawn.”
“Feels like I’ve been pacin’ since I saw her on Bealtaine,” I mutter.
“You once said you’d planned on savin’ yourself for the best woman you’d ever meet,” Robert reminds me.
“Aye,” I reply, because there’s no use denying the truth of that.
Robert’s smile warms, the civility of him easing into something older. “And you’ve never had to tell us who that was.”
Alex hums in approval. “Everyone with a fine set of eyes can see it. She’s the only one you’ve ever looked at like that… and you’re the only man she’s got eyes for.”
He laughs softly. “She’s the only person I’ve ever seen who could put you on your ass without lifting a hand.”
Robert watches me for a moment, amusement lingering in his eyes. “Are you so nervous you could retch?”
“I’m fine,” I lie, because habit is a hard thing.
“James.”
I glare at him, but he only looks more entertained.
