Curran holds out a hand. “My turn. You got us last time.” To me he says, “I’ll be right back, babe. I’ll also see if Sonny can mix something up for you, okay?”
Although I nod, I almost offer to go with him, feeling nervous about being alone with his family. In the end, I realize I should try to connect with them. Curran means so much to me, and they clearly mean everything to him. Besides, they seem like good people, just a little surprised to see us together.
I wait for Curran to step out of earshot before speaking. “I take it Curran didn’t mention I was coming?”
“No,” Killian says, shaking his head. “He didn’t mention a damn thing.”
Oh. “Well, I hope it’s okay. I don’t want to intrude on your evening.”
Killian laughs. “Nah, don’t sweat it. It’s not like that.”
“We’re happy you’re here,” Sofia adds with a smile.
I start to settle when a young man with short ginger curls flops down next to me just as Curran reaches the bar.
“God damn,” he says. “You wouldn’t believe how bad traffic was uptown.” His attention drifts to me, a smile lighting his face. “Hey, sweet thing. I’m Finn. You a friend of Sofi’s?”
Killian fixes him with a hard stare. “No, she’s with Curran. This is Tess.”
“Hi,” I say, quietly.
Finn stares at my hand when I offer it, but doesn’t take it. “No, shit,” he says, sounding amused.
I pull back my hand, thinking I’m missing something obvious.
“So, I take it you do nails?” he asks me.
“Ah, no,” I reply, wondering if I misheard.
Finn carries the lean, athletic build Curran once held, versus his current broader, muscular frame. Killian is more of a mountain of bulk and power, capable of crushing anything insane enough to step in his path.
I return my focus to Sofia, seeing that she’s the most endearing and least threatening person here. And given how Finn continues to eye me with an unapologetic scrutiny, it’s clear I made the right choice. She offers me an encouraging smile before turning to address Finn. “Where’s Wren? I thought you were driving over together.”
This is the something shiny Finn needs to distract him. “She’s talking to Julian on the phone,” he answers, turning back to them.
“He’s not coming?” Killian asks as he pours him a beer.
“Nah. They broke up.” Finn takes the beer. “She said he was crying over some movie they went to see. She couldn’t take it. Says she needs someone with balls. Big ones.” He nudges me. “You know what I’m saying?”
“That’s understandable,” I agree, since I have nothing better.
Someone wolf-whistles, followed by another group of someones. A tall and sensual woman with porcelain skin and long ebony hair sashays toward us wearing thigh-high boots over jeans and a suede fringe jacket that hugs her startling figure.
“Hey, fucktards,” Finn calls out. “Calm your shit. That’s my sister.”
“Sister?” the man circling her asks. “Well, if she’s your sister, I’d like to—”
Killian and Finn leap to their feet, their arms loose, but ready to tear him apart. Killian points at him. “Watch your mouth before you lose the few teeth you have left, asshole.”
The woman grins, clearly unaffected by the attention, and pats the man on the head. “Sorry, I don’t date men with small dicks.” She waves to the bar. “Hey, Sonny.”
“Hey, gorgeous,” the bartender says, actually smiling.
From the bar, Curran offers me a wink. Wow. His brothers aren’t the only ones watching out for their sister, and for that I’m grateful given Merve’s atmosphere.
She sits beside Killian. “What the hell is up with the men I date?” she asks. “None of them have any balls. Are balls too much to ask for?” It’s then she notices me. “Oh, hey. I’m Wren. You Sofi’s friend?”
I open my mouth, but Finn answers for me. “This is Tess. Get this—she’s with Curran.”
“Curran who?” Wren asks, crinkling her brow, although she knows exactly who Finn means.
“I know, right?” Finn adds, rolling his eyes.