“So, here’s the million-dollar question,” Keegan says as he lifts a dumbbell and curls his biceps, trying out the new equipment. “When are you going to pop the question?”
Five sets of eyes turn to me, and I can only grin. “If I thought she’d say yes, I’d ask her today. But we’re not there yet. She’s had a busy week, and she’s finally starting to put all of the shit she went through with The Lemon to rest and move on. We have time, you know? But I will ask when the time is right.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Hunter says with a grin. “Look at us, all a bunch of Mushy Marcias over a bunch of women and babies. And that’s not a bad thing.”
“As it should be,” Tom says with a wink. “Because life wouldn’t be worth living if we didn’t have them with us.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever marry,” Kane admits, shaking his head. “Wasn’t even on my radar. I was happy out in that barn by myself, marking time by how much glass I blew. Until I saw Anastasia sitting on that bench in my museum, and it was like everything in the world was suddenly in color. Does that make me a Mushy Marcia? Aye, it does, and that doesn’t bother me in the least.”
“Same goes,” Hunter says with a grin, then looks out the window when we hear a car door close. “Well, the kid showed up, after all.”
“Who’s the kid?” I ask, joining him at the window.
“Rachel’s been dating this boy, Brian Masterson.”
“I know the Masterson boy,” Keegan says with a nod. “It’s a good family.”
“I actually like him,” Hunter admits as we all walk out of the gym and to the driveway where Brian just stepped out of his car. “But he doesn’t need to know that yet.”
“Hello, Mr. Meyers,” Brian says with a brave smile. I can see that he’s nervous, but he holds his hand out to shake Hunter’s. “Thanks for inviting me here today.”
The young man turns to all of us and keeps that brave smile in place.
“I’m Brian. I’ve been seeing Rachel.”
“So we hear,” Kane says and folds his arms over his chest. “How old are you?”
“Seventeen,” Brian replies. “Rachel and I are in the same grade.”
His eyes dart to the house as the nerves start to show more, but we don’t move. We’re here to check him out, make sure he’s good enough for our girl.
“What do you plan to do after high school?” Shawn asks him.
“College, but I’m not sure where yet. I’ll probably stay here in Washington.”
“Have you ever been in trouble?” I ask him. “And you best not lie because I can find out anything I want to know about you with the press of a few buttons.”
“Uh, no. No, sir. I once got detention because I accidentally set fire to something in science class.”
“Are you an arsonist?” Hunter demands. “Are you going to burn down my fucking house?”
“No.” Brian laughs. “Of course, not.”
“And do you plan to sleep with my niece?” Keegan asks.
Brian opens his mouth, then closes it again. Licks his lips. “Honestly, I don’t know how to answer that. If I say no, you’ll ask me what’s wrong with her, when there’s nothing at all wrong with her. She’s awesome. If I say yes, you’ll punch me in the face. So, there’s no right answer, except to say I’ll always be respectful, and I would never ask her to do something she doesn’t want to do.”
We glance at each other in surprise.
“I think that was the right answer,” I say at last and clap him on the shoulder. “Come on. We’ll go in and help out in the kitchen.”
“Did I pass that test?” Brian whispers to me.
“So far. Don’t fuck it up, and you’ll stay alive.”
“Ma usually kicks us out of the kitchen,” Shawn says. “But I’d like to steal a bite of something. I’m starved.”
“We brought an appetizer,” Keegan informs his brother.
“Why didn’t you say so?” Shawn says, and we file in the back door of Maeve and Hunter’s gorgeous house that sits on the cliffs overlooking the ocean.
This is exactly the type of place I envision Maggie wanting to live in. And if that’s the case, I’ll buy a house like this for her. Maeve will have ideas. And if the perfect house doesn’t currently exist, I’ll build her one.
We descend on the kitchen, making the women laugh. Fiona shoos Shawn away from the pot she has boiling on the stove, just as he predicted.
“Get out of my way, Shawn O’Callaghan,” she says, but then she pats him gently on the cheek. “It’s hungry you are, I’m sure. There are some goodies over there on the island to keep you at bay until we’re done in here.”
“Brian!” Rachel exclaims and hurries over to hug him. “Oh, God, were my uncles mean to you?”