Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Are your cousins drunk again or is it the strippers?
How did you know there were strippers? What did she get you?
We’re just talking here. Clothes on. And eating cakes shaped like my penis.
Owen snorted, moving toward the back door to the alley where he’d demanded Jeremy get on his knees. He’d done it for him again after Owen had proposed. Damn, he wished he were here now. Your penis specifically?
She made the mold years ago. I forgot but she kept it. Top that.
Can’t top it, but I want to taste it. Bring it to me now.
Jeremy responded by sending a picture of Jen and Tanaka taking comically erotic bites of their penis cakes. Hungry?
Cake tease.
Owen sent him the picture he’d taken earlier of the beer Seamus made. This is good but it doesn’t taste as delicious as the real thing. I miss you.
I’m a beer and a cake now? Miss you too. Enjoy the strippers.
As long as you don’t.
I can’t. Tasha sent them all to you so you couldn’t complain.
A silver lining. I’ll call you when I get home.
Owen slid his phone back in his jacket pocket and chafed his hands. He should be inside enjoying the show. What was wrong with him?
“Were you surprised? Your sister-in-law went all out.”
Owen whirled in the alley and saw the tip of a cigarette burn red before it fell to the ground, snuffed out by his cousin. “Hey, James. I thought you quit.”
“I did.” The graveled voice was subdued. “I am. Just needed a break.” He moved into the light, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced back toward the pub. “I’m not big on crowds. Solomon swore this was a family thing. A few friends. He didn’t mention the strippers until we got here.”
You’re not big on family gatherings either, Owen thought quietly. James was always taking extra shifts at the station on Finn Again nights and holidays. He was either the busiest police detective in the city, or he used his schedule to avoid socializing. “Rory says you don’t have to work during the wedding. You’ll be there?”
James looked up and Owen was startled for a second, the way he always was when he saw this particular Finn. He had the same hard expression and strong jaw as Solomon. The same tall, lanky build. But his hair was so dark brown it was almost black, and his eyes were green instead of the usual Finn blue.
“Of course. And so will Elder. I’m taking care of that personally.”
“You actually talked your dad into coming?”
James quirked his lips subtly in a smile that disappeared as quickly as it arrived. “Not yet. But I still have thirty-six hours or so. He’ll be there. I won’t let Shawn down again, though I can’t promise anything more than his presence. He’s made an art form out of being stubborn.”
He remembered the engagement party. James and Solomon had both done their best to drag him to the pub, but Sol refused. It was a miracle the old man had made it to any of the family dinners, Owen knew, but that hadn’t lasted long once Sol realized Shawn wasn’t at death’s door. Still, everything was out in the open now. No more secrets. Owen wasn’t sure if that would help or make things worse. “Thank you.”
“You shouldn’t thank me. He’s not much fun at parties.” James shrugged. “What’s your excuse?”
“What?”
“Why are you out here avoiding your bachelor bash? This is a big night for you.”
Owen smiled and leaned against the brick. “Yeah. She went all out, you’re right about that.” Now that he knew Tasha had been in charge of the planning, he had a good idea about who’d invited his ex-girlfriends to his party. Troublemaker. She was lucky she was so pregnant. “Everyone is great. But this is not the big night. Honestly, I wish it were over.”
James narrowed his gaze. “That’s a hell of a thing to say.”
He held up his hand. “No, I mean I’m ready now. I want to be married now. I need it to be official so nothing can stop it and he can’t change his mind.”
A genuine smile cracked the unforgiving lines of his cousin’s face. “He’ll never change his mind, Owen. A blind man could see Porter’s heart. The man wears it on his sleeve for you.”
“I know.” There was no way he would ever doubt it again. “I’m not changing my mind either. I don’t think everyone believes that yet, but it’s true.”
“I believe it.” James patted his pocket and scowled, flexing his fingers so he wouldn’t reach for another cigarette. “You’ve changed since you two got together. Grown up.”
“It only took thirty-six years,” Owen said mockingly, wondering how James saw this big change when he was never around. “Since it is my party and I’m the guest of honor, can I ask you a question?”