I bring my other hand to my mouth, biting my fist to hold myself together. Everything he’s doing is driving me insane, and if I stand right now, he’ll see that I’m pitching a hard as fuck tent in my pants. I turn my head away, trying to keep my composure.
“Maybe if you’re a good boy, I’ll even let you come, too.”
“Jesus, Griff,” I say, a disbelieving laugh escaping my lips. “How have you gone from hating my guts, to willing to save my ass and talking so dirty to me?”
“Because it’s been too long. Fuck, I’ve been dying to be buried inside you since you showed up on my doorstep tonight. Before that even.”
His honesty strikes me in the chest. “I’ve missed you, baby. And I’ll take anything you’re willing to give.”
He flashes me that sweet grin that sends my entire body soaring. I’m dying to have my mouth on his, have him wrapped up in the sheets of my bed, spending forever making up for all the horrible things I’ve done. “Let’s box dinner and go home.”
Griffin pulls his hand from mine. “No way. We’re not having our dirty, no strings attached sex until the marriage is official. It’ll give me some time to prepare myself to look at you and not see rage.” There’s a hint of a joke in there, in the way he carries himself with a light air, and a lopsided smirk behind his wine-glass. A humor that I love and miss all too much.
And I don’t argue with this proposition, because I never want to see that smile off his face again, but I know it’ll be gone the second Camille is in Boston. So, I sit back, and I try and live in this moment, try to savor the way it feels to be with my best friend again, and try to forget what awaits us when we step out of this restaurant.
Chapter Seventeen
Griffinsitsbesidemeon the couch of my parents’ living room, legs crossed and posture straight. He’s nervous and I don’t blame him. I am too. Yeah, all of my brothers know about Camille. And probably my Da by now, too. But they don’t know what’s about to happen here. And I’m not sure how everyone will react.
What if they’re not as welcoming as Cal was? What if they want me to marry Camille and that’s it? This is my romantic life, but it affects our business decisions. As much as I’m excited to be a father, I’m nervous too. And it’s not like the mother is just a girl I met unaffiliated. Cal had it right when he chose Haley.
“It’s gonna be fine,” I say, patting his jean-clad leg.
“It’s not,” he says in a clipped tone. “We’re about to tell the head of the Irish Mob that we’re getting married. I’m surprised I haven’t thrown up this vodka.” He shakes the tumbler of ice in his hand, the liquor already gone.
Haley strides into the living room, hands wrapped in a side hug around the thin waist of Ma. Their temples are touching as they whisper together, smiling. Callum’s behind them, hands stuffed in his pocket, a permanent smile plastered on his face since Haley took him back months ago.
“We’ll get lunch first, then Saoirse can drag us around the city for shopping.” Ma says in her British accent. “It’ll be nice to have time with my girls.”
“Planning a trip?” I ask, standing from the couch to hug Ma.
Griffin stands, too, waiting to greet her. I squeeze her to my chest, inhaling hints of vanilla and citrus perfume. It always brings me ease being around her. We may have had unconventional upbringings, but Ma made sure our family had love, and I know most people in this lifestyle didn’t have that from their families. I’ll always be thankful to her for giving us the unconditional love that we needed as kids to thrive.
“We are. Saoirse wants to go to Miami for fashion week. I told her I wouldn’t go unless Haley could help keep her company. I can’t do long shopping trips anymore. Especially not in the heat. This way, if I get tired, Rian can drive me to the hotel and Saoirse won’t be alone,” Ma says.
I pull away and she cups my face in her hands, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “How are you, Patrick?”
“Missing your cooking,” I say, rubbing my belly.
“I am too, Ma,” Griffin says.
Ma snaps her attention to him, her smile widening. She opens her arms for him. “Oh, Michael. It’s been so long. I’m so happy you’re here."
“I missed you, too.”
“How’s your mother?”
Griffin clears his throat. “She’s better. We should find out next week if she’s in remission.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.” Ma pats his cheek before stepping away.
The rest of the family trickles in, and when everyone is here, Callum orders us all to sit down. Ma never stays for the meetings. She’s never been interested in the business side of things, and these meetings are always about business. Saoirse sits in, but she doesn’t typically care about them, either.
Ma turns to leave, but I stop her. “Ma. This is an actual family meeting. I have some news to share.”
She rears back, looking up at Da, who squeezes her hand. There’s a silent communication between the two that comes with decades of building a life together. Then he says, “I have no idea either, Alana.”
“What is the news?” Ma asks.
