“He did. It hurt Corina a lot, but I think Mitchell was even more tormented knowing what he’d done to her.”
“What about Trevor and Scarlett? I’d like to slap that boy upside his head. Steed told me they’ve hooked up a few times, but I saw Trevor sneaking off at the bar with some bleach blonde,” Paxton said.
It was then that I knew I had to fight me feelings for Cord. Men like him and Trevor didn’t settle for one woman.
“Don’t think whatever it is you’re thinking, Maebh!” Amelia gasped. “I see the look on your face.”
I forced a smile. Me heart was racing. “I like Cord. Honestly, I do, and I think I was attracted to him the first time I saw him, but I don’t think I can give me heart—or me virginity—to someone who wouldn’t cherish both.”
Paxton, Amelia, and Harley reached for me hands. Guilt covered their faces, and I was sure they were regretting the stories they’d told me.
Amelia blew out a breath. “We didn’t mean to scare you away. It’s the opposite, Maebh. Please don’t let his recent behavior stop your feelings.”
Chewing on the inside of me mouth, I shrugged and tried to play it off. “It’s a crush. I’m sure I’ll move on. I’m knackered and ready for me head to hit the pillow.”
The girls nodded. It was early, very early. We hadn’t even gone to dinner yet, but a weariness rushed over me body.
“I think the opening of Aisling has finally caught up to me. You girls go and enjoy your dinner.”
Standing, Paxton reached for me hand. “Do you want us to bring you any food back?”
“Sure!” I said, trying to sound like our conversation hadn’t just planted an iron ball in me stomach.
“Have fun, ladies. I’m going to rest,” I said, making me way up the steps and to me room. The spa had beautiful cabins, and Amelia and I had the two bedrooms upstairs while Harley and Paxton had the two down.
When I got into me room and shut the door, I pressed me lips together and willed meself not to cry. Maybe I was taken by Cord because he was so handsome. The first time he ever looked at me and smiled, me heart melted. I’d seen plenty of handsome men. Jackson was handsome, not like Cord, but he was pretty good looking, and I enjoyed being around him. And Sean, me old boyfriend, was a looker too. Everyone always said we’d make the prettiest babies.
Sighing, I kicked off me slippers and moved to the bed. Falling onto it, I closed me eyes and let me weary body give into the darkness.
My parents’ house was filled with laughter. It warmed my heart to see my whole family.
“Happy birthday, little bro!” Mitchell said, slapping the shit out of my back.
Forcing a smile, I nodded. “Thanks.”
“How’s it feel to be twenty-eight?” Steed asked.
“Better than almost thirty,” I replied, giving him a wink.
“I’m not thirty yet, you little bastard.”
Chloe came bouncing into the living room with Gage walking behind her, keeping up with his big sister the best he could.
“Uncle Cord!” she screamed, jumping into my arms.
“Hey, squirt! I haven’t seen you in almost a whole week!”
She flashed me a smile that would guarantee her anything she wanted.
“Happy birthday! What do you want for a present?”
I lifted my eyes in thought and waited a few seconds, making Chloe think I was contemplating hard.
“I know what I want!”
Her smile grew. “What?”
Gage was pulling on my jeans, attempting to say my name. Reaching down, I scooped him up in my other arm.
“A kiss! From a pretty girl.”
Chloe blushed.
“Good thing we have plenty of pretty girls around,” Waylynn said.
As I looked up, my breath hitched at the sight of the prettiest girl of them all.
“Maebh?”
Chloe twisted in my arms to get a better look. “Wow! You’re super pretty!”
I wanted to agree with Chloe. Maebh was beyond pretty. Every time I saw her I swore she looked more beautiful than the last.
Maebh’s cheeks flushed, and she kept her eyes focused on Chloe and then dropped her gaze to Gage who quickly pushed to get down as he abandoned me and waddled over to Maebh.
“Typical Parker man,” Paxton mused as Steed laughed.
“Hey, my son knows a pretty girl when he sees one.”
Maebh bent down and reached for Gage, lifting him up with a squeal and holding him so close, I was envious. The smile on the kid’s face said it all. The little lucky bastard was in Maebh’s arms and I was jealous. Jealous of my nephew who could barely walk and had spit running down the side of his mouth.
“Hello, little lad. Aren’t you the most handsome boy I’ve ever seen. Oh, his eyes melt me heart.”
Chloe faced me, her eyes wide. “Who is she? Is she a princess? She looks and talks like Merida from the movie. Where is she from?”