“I agree,” I whisper in Presley’s ear, and she trembles slightly.
“Thanks.” She grins and leans in, brushing her own lips across my cheek.
I start to pull her closer, but her brother clears his throat and lays a hand on her shoulder. She looks up at him with a flash of annoyance.
“Band’s starting the second set.” He motions to the stage. “You owe me a dance.”
Right on cue, the music starts, and I nod encouragingly, standing to help her up. The minute they are out of earshot, there’s a series of loud chuckles and rumbling. Every eye is focused on me.
“What?” I act nonchalant, sitting back down.
“She’s charming, Finn, and such a lady.” My mom’s eyes shine.
“Told you, Evelyn,” Ember beams.
“I can see it, completely,” Jenna agrees.
“See what?” I feign ignorance, but know exactly what they are referring to. I’ve never shown any type of affection or attraction in front of my family and friends. I’m not a dick, but there’s never been anyone special in my life, until now.
“I’d be careful to let her out of your sight,” Dad warns me.
Jeff drops his head, doing a poor job of hiding his smile.
“I can’t count the number of eyes on her right now, including the Wilkes brothers. All three of them.” Robbie tips his beer, prodding me.
A low rumble escapes my throat, and I start to survey the room. Robbie wasn’t lying; eyes all over the room are focused on Presley dancing with her brother. A hand on my shoulder shakes me out of the evil glare I’m channeling toward the three Wilkes brothers.
“Son, you want to come with me to the bar?” Jeff asks, still amused.
“Sure.” I follow his lead.
Once he’s ordered us both a whiskey, he turns to me and gives a slight touch of the glass. “She’s a special woman and the light of my life. I loved my wife fiercely, but when they laid Presley in my arms, moments after her birth, my life took on a new purpose. Lydia always used to say my heart beat to a new rhythm after Presley was born.”
“She’s an incredible person.” I sip on the whiskey, wondering where he’s going with this.
“Her heart is so full of love and loyalty.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“Well, then you need to know, she’s the kind of woman who you treasure with your life. Johnny, Simon, and I would kill first and ask questions later, if she was ever hurt.”
The whiskey burns a hole in my stomach at his implication. “I have no intentions of hurting her.”
“Good, because I’ve never seen her look the way she does when you’re around. She’s been a bit quiet, but I see the stars in her eyes. That’s never happened with my daughter. Even the last guy, fucking lame Russell, didn’t really hold her attention. But you walked in tonight, and her whole spirit changed.”
“What do you mean?’ I absorb his words and hide my happiness that Russell never received the same reaction I get from Presley.
“A man never reveals his secrets, but know this…we want her to finally be happy, to live her life for herself, not as the teenager who feels the need to take care of a house full of men after her mother passes. Or the sister, who moves the day after college graduation, to live near her brother and help raise a toddler. She thinks she’s fooled me all these years, but she’s lived safely. It’s time she steps up and lives for herself.
“I’m not into this new age dating, but by the way you look at her and the fact she’s met your parents tonight, I’d like to assume she’s not casual to you.”
His words singe in a way I’ve never felt. The need to defend myself overwhelms me. “Jeff, you don’t know me, but I can assure you, this isn’t casual.” I swallow hard and try to dampen the simmering inside.
He moves to my front and gives me an unreadable look as he drains his drink. We stay quiet until he breaks out in a wide smile. “I believe you, Finn Black, but it’s up to you to break her safety seal.” He looks over his shoulder then gives me a wink, setting his empty glass on the bar behind me. “I’m going to steal my girl for a dance, then I suspect you’ll want to claim her, righteously.”
I raise my glass in agreement. “You bet your ass. You have one dance.”
He chuckles while walking away.