So, hehadn’tnailed it. Shit.
“Let’s pick up the food in the living room, and then you can take me to bed,” she smiled, pressing a kiss to his chest.
He walked to the TV and shut it down. She’d remembered to pause it so they wouldn’t miss the ‘Showstopper bake,’ she’d explained.Grrrreat.
Rowan’s phone pinged with a notification. She was carrying her food tray to the kitchen while she looked at her phone. When she snorted in amusement, he girded his loins.
She handed it to him. It was a text from River, of course.
Jesus, Row. Give Daddy’s D a break. He promised to help Pat put the baby’s crib together tomorrow, and he won’t be able to if he’s all chafed…down there...
He handed the phone back, suppressing a shudder. Rowan took the phone back and rapidly typed out a reply before handing the phone back to him.
Tell Patrick to stop watching you eat your pickle. It’s creepy.
She grinned at him. He couldn’t help but grin back.
34
“Mmm,” River moaned as she took a huge bite from her double cheese, double pineapple pizza.
She, Hugh, her sisters, and their men met Saoirse, Tim, her sister, Sadhbh, and Josh at Bonobo in Smithfield. A pizza joint that had the best pies as far as Rowan was concerned. They got two tables outside and put them together so everyone could talk to one another. It was a gorgeous evening, and the outdoor patio had fun twinkle lights, and music.
“You sound and look like a pregnant porn star,” Saoirse teased River.
“A damn good combination, as far as I’m concerned,” Patrick quipped. “Speaking of porn stars, Bran, I went to Dad’s last night and?—”
Hugh threw a quick jab to Patrick’s side, who had the misfortune of sitting by his dad, efficiently cutting off whatever his son was about to relate to the group. Everyone chuckled and begged Pat to tell them. He only grinned and shook his head, rubbing his side to let everyone know he wouldn’t chance another bruise.
Rowan sighed, the group might have been amused, but Hugh’s still form, and grim expression screamed the opposite. She looked around the table and noticed that all the couples were touching or leaning into one another—except for her and Hugh.
She leaned toward his side so he could hear her over the chatter and asked quietly if everything was alright.
He barely spared her a glance, replying with, “Yes.”
She slowly straightened. Disappointment blanketed her mood. She tried to shake it off, reminding herself that he had moments of fun and teasing, but it certainly wasn’t often. It didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy himself or love her. Grace. Grace. Grace. They promised each other to give one another grace.
Except…earlier, when the group was walking into the Bonobo, he hadn’t held her hand or even placed his hand on her back. She had asked him for a few small signs of affection when they were out.
Raven, who sat across from her, must have seen the short exchange with Hugh and gave her a questioning look. Rowan shook her head. They could talk about it tomorrow.
“I’m going to run over to Nan’s in the morning to say goodbye. I have a doctor’s appointment and a few errands to run if you need me to do anything while I’m out.” She’d called her gynecologist that morning for an appointment. Dr. Daley had a cancellation the following morning. Thank God, no more condoms. “I also want to hug Devlen, as well, since it makes the straight-faced Irishman uncomfortable,” she laughed.
“Devlen is a great man, but I admit, I love seeing him squirm on occasion,” Patrick confided. “When I first met the man, I swear my balls disappeared!”
“Damn, Pat, did you meet Devlen in high school?” Bran asked, totally straight-faced.
“Fuck you. I was a freshman, for Christ’s sake. I was a late bloomer,” Patrick defended. “Why in the hell were you looking anyway?”
“It was Dad’s fault. He made us share one of those damn Jack and Jill bathrooms. Do you know how many times I would be trying to use the bathroom, and you would get out of the shower naked?” Bran complained.
The whole table was dying laughing at this point. Hugh even managed a small smile when Rowan glanced his way.
“First, people don’t get out of the shower fully dressed. Second, you did your level best to take a shit every time I took a shower,” Patrick glowered at his brother. “You were always such a dick.”
Bran smirked, “At least I covered mine up.”
“Enough, boys,” Hugh grumbled. “And you weren’t covering it up when I caught you measuring yourself…with your Gran’s ruler.”
