The girls were all smiles as they ribbed one another. Their relationship was a lot like his and Patrick’s. Bran led Raven to the bar where they could sit and watch James attempt to bartend. Raven asked James to tell her what his team had worked on so far for Wolves.
Bran let the conversation wash over him, happy to simply sit close to Raven at the bar. Occasionally, their thighs touched accidentally, and once, not so accidentally. Raven turned toward him then and smiled, acknowledging the contact. He loved that she was aware of him even while engaged.
“Hughand I have everything ready for a late lunch. Until it’s time to eat, how about we check out what’s so special about this pond,” River suggested.
Grinning at Raven and Rowan before moving her gaze to Patrick, River yanked her coverup off and tossed it to Rowan, who caught it easily. She stripped her own off, joining her sister as they danced toChasing Rainbowsby The High Kings and Badscandal.
Raven hopped off the bar stool and stripped her coverup off before running to join her sisters at the water’s edge.
Reaching River and Rowan, she whispered, “Bran asked me out, and oh my God, you guys. I’m freaking the fuck out. I hope he didn’t see how badly I wanted to jump up and down.”
“When? Where?”
“I knew he was going to ask you,” River said smugly. “Even though I was internally wishing to die over breakfast— After the Incident— no one could miss Bran staring nonstop at you.”
“He wants to come to Eufaula this coming Wednesday for dinner,andI don’t believe you noticed anything over breakfast, River. We barely remembered how to walk, let alone have cognitive thought— After the Incident.”
“We canall agreethis is exciting! I’m so happy for you, Rave.”
“I wonder if you’ll get a goodbye kiss tomorrow,” River laughed over her shoulder as she moved a little closer to the water’s edge.
Raven really, really, really wanted that kiss.
“I like all of them. They are good people. Mom and Dad would approve,” Rowan added. High praise.
“Okay. I trust you both to tell me if you think I need to pull back.” Looking at two sets of hazel eyes, she admitted, “I want this. Him. And I may be pissed, but if you tell me to slow down, I’ll hear you.” As she took the hands of her best friends, hand inhand in hand, she had a question for Rowan that she didn’t want to let slip by.
“Row, why have you been so tense this afternoon?” Raven held up a hand to stop her protest. “Don’t bother denying it. I could tell in the meeting something was bothering you. I don’t expect to have your every thought, we all need privacy, but I’m asking you to tell me.” Still linked together, the girls stilled. Waiting.
“I’m not sure I can verbalize, guys. Will you be satisfied if I tell you the momentIfigure it out?”
“Yes,” they answered immediately.
“Okay! Let’s get our feet wet and see how cold this pond is!” As Raven led her sisters down the soft, graveled bank and into the gently lapping water, they found the temperature near arctic— producing squeals and laughter.
Dad,Patrick, and Bran resembled nothing short of slack-jawed gargoyles. The Byrne sisters clothed were something to write home about— in swimsuits... God save them! As his Gran often muttered. Truer words...
Each wore a tiny, black bikini differing in style and coverage. Raven’s body... her body... Christ. Forcing his gaze away from her firm, pale skin— all lean strength and full curves— Bran glanced at Pat, whose eyes were lasered on the middle Byrne sister as though she might hold the answers to life, and then passed to his father, who was likewise in an awed stasis. James only looked amused by the women’s laughter.
Trying to break the spell of the Byrnes, Bran attempted to speak, but before a word could emerge, the aching melody ofNothing Compares 2 Uwashed over him. Raven and River high-fived Rowan.
“Good tune, Row!”
“Sinéad O'Connor! Love!!!”
“Do you think Rowan played this for me or you, Hugh?”
James had obviously noticed Dad being an ass to her and was trying to rib him. Totally deserved.
“For herself, I imagine.” Dad was back to surly but still entranced by the view.
Quickly realizing the water wouldn’t get any warmer, the women stretched out on the loungers close to the water’s edge. River twisted her body around and hollered at Patrick, who was still staring. “Keep the tunes coming, Pat!”
His brother, ridiculous smile in place, immediately grabbed his phone and started scrolling.Western Feelby Bartel Union started playing.
“Hey, Dad, let’s put the steaks on. I’m starving.”
“Yeah, Dad. Give me the veg, and I’ll start that.” With one last glance at the triple threat, Patrick admitted, “Anything that keeps me from embarrassing myself.”
