Page 49

“Up?”

Those big brown eyes somehow get even bigger. Dear God. He has the pout. And puppy dog eyes. That’s not a fair combination for anyone to possess, let alone a toddler. I don’t stand a chance.

I bend down and carefully scoop Ollie up. The second he’s settled on my hip, the pout vanishes. It’s replaced by a grin so wide it practically lights up his entire face. I can’t help smiling back. Like always, Ollie takes that as encouragement and immediately launches into an enthusiastic stream of babbling. I have absolutely no idea what he’s saying. He seems very passionate about it, though. His little hands wave around as he talks, occasionally punctuating his story with a bounce in my arms.

“I see there’s another sucker for the evil little spawn.” The voice comes from the doorway. I glance up to find a man who looks so much like Ronan that they could only be twins. Though this one’s grin is far more mischievous.

Before anyone can respond, Ollie whips his head around. He narrows his eyes. Then he blows the man a loud raspberry. The kitchen falls silent for a beat.

“Well,” the man sighs dramatically, “I see my favorite nephew is happy to see me, as always.”

Ollie responds with another raspberry. Even louder this time. I stare at him. Then, at the man. Then back at Ollie.

Is that the toddler equivalent of flipping someone off? Judging by the smug look on Ollie’s face… I’m pretty sure it is. The little menace actually looks pleased with himself.

“Ack ass,” Ollie announces proudly. Then he beams at me like he’s just shared the wisdom of the universe.

I blink. “What?”

The man in the doorway groans, “Don’t encourage him.”

“It’s his pet name for Liam,” Ronan says, sounding entirely too amused. “Dad called us jackasses one day, and Ollie apparently decided Liam was the only one who deserved the title.”

“For the record,” Liam says, pointing at the toddler currently sitting happily on my hip, “I was not even the jackass in question.”

“Ack ass,” Ollie repeats confidently. Then he points directly at Liam. Just in case anyone was confused. The kitchen erupts into laughter.

Liam throws his hands into the air. “See? This is exactly what I’m talking about.”

“Ack ass!”

“Stop calling me that.”

Ollie cackles. Actually cackles. Like a tiny criminal who’s gotten away with something. I find myself laughing too. The sound surprises me. Not because of the joke. But because it’s been a long time since laughter came this easily.

More voices drift in from the front of the house.

The Murphys seem physically incapable of arriving anywhere quietly.

Laughter follows the conversation, carrying down the hallway and filling the house with a warmth I’ve never really experienced before.

“Come on.” Conor’s hand settles on the small of my back. The touch is light. Guiding rather than pushing. “Time to meet the rest of my crazy family.”

I snort. “The rest?”

“Trust me, A Chroí. You’ve only met a fraction of them.”

That is both comforting and mildly terrifying. Before I can respond, Ollie suddenly begins squirming in my arms.

“Mo! Ki-Ki!”

The excitement in his voice is impossible to miss. Reluctantly, I lower him to the floor. The second his feet touch down, he takes off. Toddling at impressive speed toward the foyer. I follow his path just in time to see him crash into Alessia Murphy’s legs.

“There’s my baby!” she coos, immediately scooping him up.

The smile that spreads across her face is so bright it could power the entire city. Beside her, her husband looks equally pleased.

“Well, hello there, little man.”