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My eyes dip to it, and I see exactly what he means. It sits on a golden band. Square cut, set on an angle, so it looks like a diamond on a playing card. The large stone is an amber-colored brown diamond framed by smaller white diamonds.
It’s a pretty ring. A striking ring. As I look at it, Paddy takes it and slips it onto my finger. We both sit in silence and stare at it for a while.
Every time my eyes move away and look back at it, I see a new aspect, and I agree with Paddy. It’s just about the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen.
Eventually, I look up at Paddy, who is chewing on his lower lip, looking nervous. His face clears at the look in my eyes.
“I love it,” I whisper, reaching up and cupping his face with my hands. “It’s perfect.”
“I love ye, Lauren. I can’t wait for ye to be my wife.”
He kisses me tenderly and slowly, the heat building until he’s eating at my mouth.
“Is breá liom tú, lass,ní ligfidh mé go deo thú.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
LAUREN
“You look amazing!” Tiggy gushes, fussing with my hair, while Mellie and Fiona get the bouquets ready.
“Does it make you think fondly of your wedding day, Tiggy?” Fiona smirks at her while Mellie snorts.
Tiggy flips them off, making a face at me. I know why they’re teasing her. She admitted to me that her marriage was an arranged one. I still find it wicked hard to believe, considering how head over heels in love with her Seamus Fitzpatrick is, but there you go.
Watching them all laugh with each other, I feel a pang of sadness. I wish Andie were here as one of my bridesmaids. I always imagined that Andie would be my maid of honor if I ever got married. But, though she is invited to the wedding, I didn’t want her to be too immersed in my new world. It’s not exactly the safest place, and she doesn’t have a Paddy to look out for her.
Tiggy beams at me as I look carefully at my reflection. I chose a simple dress. Anything too fancy or elaborate would overshadow me. Andie told me that was the most idiotic thing I’d ever said, but I stuck to my guns.
It’s ivory-colored, with a square neckline and thick straps, fitted to my waist, where there is a satin bow at the front before flaring to the ground. I feel like a princess.
Certainly, if I’d stayed in Dot and never met Paddy, I would never have owned a dress like this. I decided against a veil. I’m not really a traditional bride. Apart from Andie, I have no one to sit on my side of the church. No one to give me away. No one here for me at all.
When I got a bit sniffly and morose at the thought, Paddy had cuddled me close and told me thathewould be in the church for me. That made me feel much better. Besides, I will have one guest. Well, two. Andie and her boyfriend are coming.
“I know something you don’t,” Tiggy teases me as Mellie hands me my flowers. Given that she’s Seamus Fitzpatrick’s wife, I would imagine there are many things she knows that I don’t. I’m okay with that.
“What is it then?”
Tiggy grins. “You’ll have your house to yourselves in about a week.”
I blink in surprise, a huge grin creeping across my face. “Connor’s going home? It’s over with the Italians?”
Tiggy beams as she nods. “Almost. The children are going back to their father next Tuesday. He’s paid what he owes, but Gianni’s making him sweat. Sean demanded an end date, and next Tuesday it is.”
“It’s time.” Fiona has her ear to the door, opening it at the knock. Ronan is standing there, but he is speechless. He’s staring at Fiona like she’s the most stunning thing he’s ever seen.
“Ye look incredible,leannán,” he breathes. Fiona rolls her eyes at him.
“Still not your sweetheart,” she snips, but when she turns to ask if I’m ready to go, there is a hint of a blush on her cheeks.
We make our way outside, Connor meeting us. He looks distracted, but grins at me as he ushers me into the SUV. Ronan gets into an SUV with Tiggy, Mellie, and Fiona. I slide into the back of Connor’s vehicle, on my own until he climbs into the front seat, pulling away from the curb.
“Nervous?” he asks, pinning his eyes on me in the rearview mirror.
“Not even in the slightest,” I answer confidently, drawing a laugh.
“Wheredoyou find your courage?”
