Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Oh, yeah, did Richie’s parents shit a brick when you drove into their fancy driveway on your motorcycle?”
“They were extremely polite,” Cian replied, his smile mischievous. “I left Bas and Brody downstairs making small talk.”
I groaned. Poor Bas had pierced his face in so many places, he looked like a pin cushion. Of course, I’d never tell him that…but it was excessive.
“Go,” I said, shooing him toward the door. “Save your friends and send Ash back up here. Her hair isn’t finished.”
“I’m going,” he said defensively. “See you down there.”
He passed Aunt Ashley on his way out.
“Hello, handsome,” she said cheerfully.
“I’ve been ordered downstairs,” he said, walking backward.
“As it should be. Aisling’s practicing her flirting, go save your friends.”
Cian laughed as he disappeared.
“All ready?” Aunt Ashley asked, closing the door behind her.
She’d been a constant presence in our lives. I saw her more often than I saw Cian anymore, even though they lived fifteen minutes from each other. Her motorhome had been parked in our driveway for the past week while she helped us get ready for the wedding, and she was staying for another full week with the kids so that they didn’t burn the house down while Richie and I went on our honeymoon.
“I’m ready,” I said, carefully sitting down on the edge of Richie’s childhood bed. “Saoirse still needs to do her makeup and Aisling’s hair.”
“I’m working on it,” Saoirse chimed in, leaning close to the mirror as she drew on eyeliner.
“It looks beautiful out back,” Aunt Ashley said. “Everything is perfect.”
“Richie’s mom wouldn’t have it any other way,” I joked.
Richie’s parents were still awesome. I didn’t think we’d ever be close, but I had nothing to complain about.
“You should see Cian’s friend,” Aisling said, bursting into the room.
I opened my mouth to remind her that she’d met Bas plenty of times before, but she kept talking.
“He’s gorgeous. Like, model pretty. Like…Richie, but better.”
“High praise,” Aunt Ashley said with a laugh.
Aisling stared at Saoirse, waiting for a reaction that never came.
“Seriously, Sersh!”
“Come sit down,” Saoirse ordered. “I need to finish your hair.”
“He’s beautiful,” Aisling said with relish as she plopped down in the chair.
“And?” Saoirse replied. “He’s also Cian’s friend and lives in Oregon.”
Aisling’s mouth snapped shut in irritation.
“I’m going to go down and make sure no one takes my seat,” Aunt Ashley said with a wink.
“You’re in the front row,” I reminded her. “And there are like twenty people coming.”
“I also want to check out that friend,” she joked as she headed for the door. “I only saw the back of him.”
“Just wait,” Aisling said with relish. “It’s extreme.”
I rolled my eyes as Aunt Ashley left, laughing.
It felt like hardly any time had passed before Cian was at the bedroom door again, dressed in his tux.
“I’m not wearing that tie,” he announced, fidgeting with the open neck of his shirt. “It was strangling me.”
“You’re such a baby,” Saoirse said as she moved past him. “Beauty is pain, bro.”
“I’m fine being ugly,” Cian shot back.
“It looks better without the tie,” Aisling said with a shrug as she followed Saoirse toward the stairs.
“You ready?” Cian asked, putting his hand out for me.
“I’ve been ready,” I replied, grabbing my bouquet off the dresser.
I put my hand in his, and he tucked it into the crook of his elbow as we moved down the hallway.
“I feel like I should say something about killin’ him if he hurts you,” Cian said quietly. “But it’s Richie.”
I laughed.
“The guy’s always worshipped you,” he said, carefully leading me down the stairs. “I don’t see that changing.”
“It won’t,” I replied confidently, squeezing his bicep.
“Love you, Mam,” Cian said as we came to a stop at the back door, watching as Ronan escorted Saoirse down the aisle, Aisling trailing behind them. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, bud,” I whispered back.
As Saoirse and Aisling walked to one side of the aisle and Ronan took his place next to Richie, my throat grew tight with emotion, and I tightened my hold on Cian’s arm.
All of my family was in one place. Happy. Safe. Celebrating.
Richie had been right. Sometimes things did work out. We were living proof of that.