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“That’s a good idea.” She smiles as we exit the hospital and walk toward the truck. “What now?”
“Well, we were supposed to spend the day in bed, but we got a little sidetracked.”
“I’m hungry,” she announces. “Feed me, and then bed.”
“I can work with that.”
* * *
“I left my lucky lipstick up in your apartment,” Izzy announces as she hurries into the bar. It’s been a few days since wee Thomas was born, and we’ve gone back to our usual routine of work, sex, and enjoying each other.
I can’t say that it’s a bad life we’re living.
“You can go on up and fetch it, then,” I say, but she’s already gone, clomping up the steps to the flat above. When she returns, she’s in no less of a hurry. “What are you all dressed up for?”
“Oh, I’m doing my audition videos today.” She smooths the lipstick on her lips and rubs them together. “Your sisters are helping me.”
“What audition videos?”
She blinks up at me. “I didn’t tell you?”
“No. You didn’t.”
“I’m sorry, I must have forgotten. Maeve and Maggie talked me into applying for some meteorologist jobs at networks, and part of the application packet is a video of me reporting the weather.”
“That’s wonderful. I hope it’s Seattle that you’re applying for.”
She checks the time. “Of course, Seattle. Okay, gotta run.”
“Don’t be so nervous. You’re going to be great.”
She takes a deep breath and grins at me. “Thank you. I needed that. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
I wave her off, and just as she opens the door, she almost runs right into Archer.
“Excuse me, Archer.”
“My fault,” he replies and holds the door for her, then wanders into the pub. “Where’s the fire?”
I laugh and wipe down the bar with my rag. “She’s meeting up with my sisters this afternoon. What are you doing on the island today, Archer?”
“I came over to see my sister and the baby.” He sits on a stool and leans on his forearms. “Thought I’d stop in and see how you’re doing.”
“I’m doing better than I have in a long while. Are you here to get drunk again?”
Archer laughs and then shakes his head. “Hell, no, that was a one-night deal.”
“How’s Elena?”
His face lights up at the mention of his new bride. Archer and Elena were high school sweethearts and recently reconnected and married.
I can see by the look on his face that things are going well.
“She’s beautiful. Amazing. Perfect.”
“So fine, then, I take it.”
He chuckles and then nods. “You could say that, yes. I’m still getting used to her crazy family, but we all have crazy families, right?”
“I can’t say that we’re all married into the mafia,” I say thoughtfully. “But there is a level of insanity in all families, yes.”
“Well, so far, everything has been good. Now, enough about me.” He gestures with his thumb toward the front door. “She seems nice. Elena said she enjoyed her a lot at Stasia’s shower.”
“Izzy’s nice, yes.”
The other man’s eyes narrow. “Cut the bullshit with me, Keegan. We’re better friends than that.”
“She’s beautiful. Amazing. Perfect.”
He nods in satisfaction. “That’s what I thought. And when are you going to marry her?”
My hand stops moving on the bar, and I stare at him as if he’s crazy. “I’ve known her for seven minutes, Archer.”
“You and I are similar men. We’re not the kind to fuck around with women just for the sake of fucking around. Not at this stage in our lives. I see the way you look at Izzy. What does it matter if you’ve known her for seven minutes or seven years?”
“She has a past.”
“We all do.”
“I think we’re both content with where we’re at for now.”
“And where are you, exactly?”
“Mutual admiration, lust, and still learning each other.”
He nods and raps his knuckles on the bar. “That’s not a bad place to be. For what it’s worth, the family likes her. The little bit I’ve heard has all been good.”
“It’s worth a lot. You know how much the family means to me.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“How is the baby today?”
“The most adorable thing I’ve ever seen in my life.” He grins. “Your brother is completely enamored with both of them. He has a goofy smile on his face and dotes like a little old lady. It’s hilarious to watch.”
“I can honestly say I never thought I’d see the day that Kane would become a family man. He’s so fucking grouchy, I didn’t think anyone would put up with him for long.”
Archer laughs and nods in agreement. “But Stasia puts him in his place easily enough.”
“And only she can. I love her like my own sisters.”
“I know you do. She’s easy to love. I’m glad they brought our families together.”
“Me, too. Are you sure I can’t interest you in a pint?”
“Nah. I have to head back. I’m looking at some properties today, and I promised Elena I’d take her out to her favorite place for dinner. But I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
