“Ah, sure.” I slip off my coat and scoot into the seat opposite them. I smile and wait for Curran to speak.
He shifts out of his heavy leather jacket and adjusts in his seat again before motioning to his brother. “Tess, this is my brother Killian, and his fiancée, Sofia. This here’s Tess.”
Both seem surprised to see me and exchange glances, but Killian is kind enough to offer me his hand. “Nice to meet you, Tess.”
Sofia smiles politely and waves. “Hi, Tess.” Both she and Killian quiet, waiting, it seems, for Curran to say more.
He doesn’t, so the three of us go back to staring at one another.
I’m searching for something to say when Killian motions to the pitchers. “Want a beer?”
“I…”
I haven’t drunk beer since college, but I don’t want to be rude, so I almost say yes. Thankfully, Sofia seems to sense my hesitation. “I don’t really drink, either,” she says. She points to the pitcher closest to her as Killian pours a beer for Curran and then one for himself. “This is Diet Coke, if you’d like some.”
“Thank you,” I tell her. “I’m not one for beer.”
Sofia returns my smile, but when she reaches for the pitcher, Killian lifts it from her grasp. “I got it, princess,” he tells her.
She leans into him when he drapes an arm around her, easily and openly accepting his warmth. Since my chatty significant other has suddenly developed a case of vocals absenti, I try to strike up a conversation. “You seem very comfortable around each other. Have you been together long?”
She glances up at him, laughing when he grins at her. “Almost three years,” she says. “We’re getting married at the end of June.”
Curran nudges me, leaning in close, but speaking loud enough for Killian and Sofia to hear. “They make it like they haven’t been together long, but don’t let them fool you. Kill’s loved Sofe since before he got pubes.”
Although the lighting is dim, I catch Sofia’s blush despite her efforts to shield her face with her small hands. Curran’s blunt remark doesn’t seem to bother Killian, but I guess he’s used to it. “We’ve known each other since we were kids,” he says, taking a moment to kiss her forehead. “We grew up together.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet,” I say.
As the tension lifts, Curran’s shoulders relax. It occurs to me that despite what he claimed, he’s nervous about me meeting his family. “Do you want something else to drink besides Coke?” he asks me.
I think about it. “A martini would be nice.”
He smirks and yells to the bartender pouring drinks. “Hey, Sonny. Could I get a martini over here?”
“Fuck you, Curran,” the bartender responds.
“Sonny says they’re all out of top-shelf liquor,” Curran says casually, causing Killian and Sofia to laugh out loud.
I laugh, too. “All right, cop. I get it. It’s a ridiculous request given where we are.”
Curran grins. “You sayin’ Merve’s ain’t a classy joint?”
I place my hand over his forearm. Curran tilts forward and gives me a small peck on the lips, widening my smile, and I swear I could look into his eyes forever. Yet when I return my attention to Killian and Sofia, their dumbfounded expressions cause me to blush.
“Ah, perhaps we should order,” Sofia suggests. “They’re busy tonight and I’m not sure if something’s keeping Wren and Finn.”
“Good idea,” Curran says, snagging the waitress hustling by. “Millie, can you get us next?”
“Curran, we’re down a waitress. Could you order at the bar? It’ll be ready faster, and then Sonny could bring it out.”
“Fuck you,” Sonny responds.
The waitress rolls her eyes. “Just be a dear and order, Curran. I’ll make sure it gets out to youz.”
Curran looks to us. “Wings, more beer, and nachos sound good?”
“Yeah. A few orders of pierogies, too,” Killian answers, reaching for his wallet. “I think it’s their special.”