My One And Only (Very Irresistible Bachelors 5)

I caught Liam’s eye. I sensed he’d been watching me for a while.

“What?” I whispered.

“You’re adorable, checking in on everyone like this.”

My cheeks heated and I shrugged. “I always do this.”

He nodded, squeezing my hand under the table as everyone was going for seconds. I would have done the same, but I was already full when we left Ellen’s place. I still wanted to save room for Mom’s trademark Thanksgiving pie—a unique mix of pecans, honey, apple, and pumpkin. Also, I couldn’t wait to drink punch. The scents wafting from the kitchen were strong and delicious, but we all knew better than to drink before dinner. Mom’s punch was strong enough to get drunk on half a cup.

“Mom, I always forget how good your Thanksgiving pie is,” Cole exclaimed a while later, when we were all indulging in the dessert.

“And the punch,” I added with a wink.

Hunter cleared his throat. “Since we’re all here, Josie and I have an announcement to make.”

Yes! I pressed my lips together, determined not to give them away.

The table was silent as Josie spoke. “I’m pregnant. We’ve known for a while but wanted to wait for the first three months to pass before telling you.”

She didn’t get to say anything more because everyone jumped to congratulate them. I caught Mom’s eye across the table. She didn’t seem surprised. Perhaps they told her, or she guessed, just like me. Ian and Dylan looked particularly pleased as they hugged their sister.

“Now we have an even better reason to finalize the move,” Dylan said.

Isabelle clutched at her chest. “You mean Josie and I weren’t enough?”

Ian winked at her. “Not at all, Sis. Just that we’re extra motivated to not drag this out too long.”

“Amelia, looks like your table is going to be even fuller next year,” Ellen exclaimed.

Mom beamed at her. “The more the merrier.”

“You’re lucky. I’ve been waiting for great-grandkids forever.”

It took me a second to realize she was speaking about Liam. The tips of my ears felt hot. Liam looked at his grandmother as if he was seeing her for the first time.

“Okay, okay. I’m behaving,” Ellen said with a grin that clearly indicated she planned to do no such thing. Then she leaned closer to Amelia and whispered for the whole table to hear, “They’re so adorable, the both of them. They’ll make beautiful babies.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Liam

“This was amazing,” Tess said once we entered my apartment. It was very late at night. We’d just dropped off Gran before coming here. “And Ellen had a great time, don’t you think?”

It was endearing how much she cared for everyone’s happiness.

I took off my coat before helping her out of hers. I removed it slowly, lingering with my fingers on her arms until I felt her shudder.

“She had a great time,” I assured her, hanging up the coats. Then I placed my hands on her shoulders, turning her around until we were face-to-face.

“I’m sure she’s going to ask Mick and Amelia to go to her place for a round of chess sometime soon. Discuss everything from more dinners together to what their grandkids will look like.”

Fuck, where had that come from? I’d certainly not intended to say it, and from Tess’s wide eyes, she hadn’t expected to hear it.

She was blushing, just like she’d done at dinner, but she wasn’t pulling back or dismissing my words. My whole body relaxed. I wanted Tess in my life, always and forever. It had never been as clear as it was now.

“I love you, Tess.” I drew my fingers over her jaw before skimming my thumb over her lips.

She smiled, clasping her fingers around my wrist before bringing my hand up her cheek and planting a quick kiss on the heel of my palm.