Colin walked out of the kitchen and we exchanged a guy hug. He grinned mischievously at me, letting me understand he’d be pulling me aside at some point and he’d make me spill the beans. I didn’t mind though; it was high time I shared my feelings for Claire with a guy, and Colin had become like a brother to me. Besides, he’d been the one who’d opened my eyes when I was still unsure about my relationship with Michelle. There would be no Claire and me, if Colin hadn’t made me realize I couldn’t be with a woman I couldn’t trust with my family’s secret.
When Kathy released Claire from her death-grip, Colin stepped between his fiancée and my girl and reached out and shook her hand, welcoming her.
“Glad you decided to join us: Kathleen’s been talking my ears off after she found out David had been dating someone and she hadn’t been informed about it.” He flashed his dimpled smile, and Claire’s shoulders relaxed a little. I’d always told him those dimples would get him anything, and it seemed I was right after all.
Maggie was next, but her hug was slightly weaker and much quicker than Kathy’s. She teased Claire, asking her whether she knew what she was getting herself into, and the bickering that followed made Claire laugh and visibly relax. I knew it wouldn’t take her long to fit in; my sisters were easy to get along with, and they seemed to like Claire.
“Oh, dear. Where are your manners, kids? Let our guest in, don’t crowd around her in the hall.”
Claire squeezed my hand when my mother walked down the corridor toward us, followed by my father. “David, you could at least take her coat and lead her into the dining room. Be a gentleman.”
I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. Colin was now like another son to my mother, but the first time he’d come over to lunch, on Christmas Day, my mother had fussed as if we’d been expecting the Prime Minister—or, as Kathy had said at the time, “the Queen of England”. It was no wonder she’d be fussing over Claire now that she finally had a new guest she could shower with attentions and manners. She’d always liked playing the good hostess.
“Hello, Claire. I’m Elizabeth, and this is Ronan.” She turned toward my father, who reached out to shake Claire’s outstretched hand before my mother did.
“Hi, Claire. Welcome to our home.”
Claire’s cheeks were a lovely shade of pink that instantly reminded me of the way they’d been last night. I had to bite my lip hard and concentrate on the self-inflicted pain in order to push those thoughts away, before any of my family members could read my thoughts—or see any physical reaction that my black slacks wouldn’t be able to conceal.
“Thank you for having me, Mrs. O’Hagan.”
My mother waved her away. “There’s a first-name-basis policy in this house. No Mrs., Madam or anything like that. I’m not that old, and I’ve always liked my name.”
I squeezed Claire’s hand reassuringly, and nodded as she looked up at me. Once introductions were made and the embarrassing O’Hagan clan welcome parade was over, we all moved to the dining room and enjoyed my mother’s huge lunch. The conversation flowed easily, with only one slightly awkward moment when my mother asked Claire about her family. I took her hand for moral support, and after she took a large gulp of water, she briefly told them the story of her life—including the part where she’d met her mother and her sister, as well as Declan, when she was unconscious. My mother and my sisters got a little emotional at the mention of Declan, and I lightened the mood, telling them his comment about my pranks, making everyone laugh.
After my mother made her promise to come back again soon, and Kathy exchanged numbers with her, promising she’d organize a girls’ night out when she’d be back next weekend, I finally managed to drive her back to her place, where we’d finally be alone for a while.
“I love my family, but sometimes they tend to get a little . . . too much, ya know?”
Claire giggled and kissed my cheek. She was sitting on the couch next to me while Robbie nuzzled her hand, wanting some attention for himself.
“They’re really nice. I had so much fun. I feel silly thinking how scared I was about meeting them.”
I kissed the tip of her nose and she rewarded me with a smile. “You’re very easy to love. I had no doubt everyone would adore you. But I couldn’t wait to have you all to myself again.”
Before she could say anything, I captured her mouth and laid back down, pulling her on top of me. I’d already gone too long without kissing her: it was time we made up for lost time—and I was glad she didn’t seem to have any objections.
Chapter Twenty-seven
*** Three months later ***
Claire
“You look beautiful.” Maggie smiled at me in the mirror, and I shrugged. I felt anything but. The bridesmaids’ dresses were beautiful, in a soft shade of turquoise, a color Kathy had chosen because it reminded her of Declan’s eyes. They looked fantastic on both Maggie and Ciara, as if they’d been made for them, but I looked worse than a mannequin. Even though I’d put on some weight since my arrival in Galway, I still hadn’t filled out as much as I would’ve liked, and my bust was still undersized.
“I don’t know. My breasts are too small and my awful hair color clashes with the turquoise.”
Maggie giggled and patted a hand on my shoulder while staring at me in the mirror. “David’s probably the only guy who hasn’t got a fixation on big boobs, and he’s always had a thing for redheads. He’ll be drooling all over the church floor when he sees you.” She winked and grinned cheekily. “Besides, he’ll probably be too busy thinking about when he’ll take the dress off you to see anything else.”
“I have to agree with her, for once.” Kathy walked into the room wearing a fleece robe, her hair already styled to perfection and her make-up flawless. She didn’t want to wear her dress until the very last minute, so she’d been hovering around us while we all got our make-up and hair done. “My brother won’t even notice me walking down the aisle once he sets his eyes on you.”
She came closer and gave me a bear hug. After three months of being part of their family, I’d become accustomed to their hugging habit. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed being hugged until they all started hugging me for anything and everything—although, the hugs I enjoyed the most were obviously David’s.
“I just hope I don’t topple over in these killer heels. Otherwise everyone will be looking at me, not only David.”
We all laughed, and as Kathy plopped down on Maggie’s bed, Ciara entered the room holding a tray with four glasses.
“Time for some bubbles, ladies!”
I quirked an eyebrow. “You sure you should be drinking, Ciara? You and alcohol don’t usually get along well . . .”
She stuck out her tongue at me while Kathy and Maggie giggled, taking a glass each. “It’s non-alcoholic cider. I couldn’t risk the bride getting drunk before she says I do.”
I took one too, and grinned at my best friend. After spending years sharing a room or a house with her, Ciara had become like a sister to me, and I dreaded the moment we’d stop sharing a place and have two separate houses. David had been looking at apartments recently and he’d insisted I check some out with him, saying I’d be spending lots of time there, so I’d inevitably ended up telling Ciara. She’d made me promise that no matter what happened, we’d always keep at least a night every two weeks as our girls’ night, and we’d sealed the promise over a box of chocolates.
“Sooo, are you having cold feet, yet?” Ciara asked in her very melodramatic way, sitting next to Kathy. The bride-to-be shook her head vehemently and took a sip from her glass, her eyes turning all dreamy. I was expecting little hearts to flow out of them at any second.
“I can’t wait to marry Colin. I know it might sound silly, since we’ve already been living together for over a year, but . . . I just can’t wait to officially be his wife and call him my husband.”
We all let out a collective “aww,” and when I turned, I noticed Ciara’s eyes were a little watery.
�
�Well, then this calls for a toast,” she said, blinking a couple of times to push back the tears before they spilled and ruined her make-up. “To happily-ever-afters. May we all one day have a fairytale wedding with a wonderful Prince Charming, and sport a silly, dreamy grin just like our bride here!”
We laughed and raised our glasses. I had no doubt I’d already found my Prince Charming; now I only had to wait and hope for a dream wedding, too.
“Since we’re celebrating, I think it’s time for another toast,” Kathy said, raising her glass and smiling at me. “Congratulations to Claire on landing the job as Galway University librarian. And I know you also applied for the MA, so hurry up, ’cause I’ll need an editor for my next books and I’ll want my sister-in-law to do the job.”
Sister-in-law?
The cider went down the wrong pipe, and I coughed until tears filled my eyes.
Ciara laughed out loud, patting my back. “There, there, it’s all right. Nobody’s expecting you to marry David if you don’t want to.”
Gee, thanks Ciara. Way to make me feel less embarrassed!
“You don’t want to marry our brother?” Maggie asked, with a frown, the same expression I saw on Kathy’s face. Oh my, how was I going to get out of this now?
“I didn’t mean . . . um . . .” I cleared my throat and inhaled deeply through my nose. Just the thought of marrying David made a flush heat my cheeks down to my collarbone. “I didn’t say I don’t want to marry him—ever. It’s just that, well, we’ve been together only three months; he’d been with Michelle for more than a year, and look how it went.”
“Ha!” Maggie let out a snort, making Ciara and Kathy giggle. “That’s because you haven’t noticed the way he looks at you. He’s never looked at anyone that way. His eyes turn all dreamy when he’s around you, and he gets this silly smile on his face whenever someone so much as says your name.” She batted her eyelashes and brought her hands to her heart. “Aw, Claire. Claire, my love. I can’t live without you.”
We all laughed at her terrible imitation of David and I took the last sip of my cider, hoping it would calm my nerves.
“David’s really in love with you,” Kathy said, squeezing my hand and smiling at me. “I don’t know if he’ll ever grow up and propose, or if he’ll keep dating you until you’re seventy, but with or without a ring on your finger, I already consider you my sister-in-law. Just make sure you get that Masters as soon as possible. I want to be your first client. And your best, of course.” She winked at me and my heart filled with warmth. I loved the way they all treated me as if I’d always been part of their family.
“So, with or without a ring on her finger, let’s raise our glasses for Claire and her bright future as a librarian and an editor!” Maggie cheered, and Ciara joined with a “woot-woot!” and downed the rest of her cider in one gulp.
“And for David and his new job, too.” I added, eliciting another cheer from Maggie and Kathy.
The day after I’d received my news, David had also been contacted by an important medical device company in Galway, who’d heard about the project he’d been working on at the university. They had offered him a position he’d immediately accepted and he’d be starting in a couple of weeks. I was really proud of him and all he had achieved. He was smart, romantic and gorgeous: what more could a girl wish for? Kathy was right: I didn’t need a ring on my finger to know I loved David more than I’d ever love anyone else.
Kathy’s mother interrupted our celebrations, saying it was time she wore the dress and got to the church. We all helped her get ready, Ciara teasing her about the sexy lingerie she was wearing underneath her robe, and when Kathy spun, looking at us with questioning raised eyebrows, we couldn’t help letting out another collective “aww.” She was the most beautiful bride I’d ever seen, and I had no doubt Colin would have a hard time remembering his own name once he saw her.
Maggie, being the maid of honor, walked into the church first. I came second and Ciara was behind me, right before Kathy and her father. I was a little nervous as I took careful steps down the aisle on the gorgeous, but a little too high sandals Maggie had chosen for the bridesmaids. I didn’t look up from the burgundy carpet until I nearly reached the altar, and that was when I saw David staring at me with his mouth open. Our eyes locked, and a corner of his lips turned up in the cheeky, adorable grin he reserved only for me. All nervousness left my body in a rush and was quickly replaced with an overwhelming feeling of adoration for the gorgeous, loving man standing next to Colin’s best man, Chris.
I took my place next to Maggie, my eyes never leaving David’s until Kathy reached Colin. When the ceremony started I tried to concentrate on the words being spoken, thinking it would be rude to keep staring at David, who looked like a GQ model in his black two-piece suit, with a turquoise tie and handkerchief that matched our dresses and brought out the beautiful hue of his eyes.
Soon enough Kathy and Colin were pronounced husband and wife, and after a cheer from all the guests they walked down the aisle, followed by the best man and maid of honor. David offered me his elbow, and when I linked my arm through his, he placed his warm hand on top of my bare forearm and a soft kiss on my temple.
“You’re gorgeous,” he whispered, his tone low and sexy, the same one he used when we were alone and intimate. Goosebumps instantly erupted all over my body and my cheeks tingled with heat. I was happy that everyone was too busy looking at the beautiful bride and groom to notice my reaction.
David kissed my lips only briefly, and the familiar swarm of butterflies took flight in my belly—just like every time his lips brushed mine.
“Yeah, um . . . you clean up well yourself,” I managed to say with a shaky voice, and was rewarded with a beautiful smile.
Everybody got in their cars to get to the reception venue, a castle only a half hour drive from Galway. During the ride David never let go of my hand, kissing alternately my palm and knuckles every few minutes, even though we weren’t alone. Chris, Colin’s best friend from New York, his wife, Melissa, and their twenty-one-month-old son, James, were sitting in the back of David’s car. Kathy had asked Melissa to be one of the bridesmaids too but she was seven months pregnant, and she’d preferred to sit in the guest pews with her son since, in her words, she was so big she’d look more like a whale than a bridesmaid in the dress Kathy and Maggie had chosen.
I’d met Melissa at Kathy’s bachelorette party and we’d immediately clicked, which was something that was still a little weird for me, seeing as I’d always had a hard time socializing and meeting new people without feeling uncomfortable. Since becoming a part of the O’Hagan family, though, it seemed like making friends had become way easier for me—maybe it was because being loved by David, and as a consequence by his family, had boosted my self-confidence and turned me into a better version of myself: less shy and nerdy, and more easy-going. Someone I really liked.
“So, David, you feelin’ a little more chilled now Colin’s made an honest woman out of your sister, or are you still gonna break his legs?”
David chuckled, and looked at Chris through the rear-view mirror. “I see news travels, even overseas. Well, as I already told Colin, the threat is always valid. And I guess since he married her, it’s going to be more than just breaking his legs if he hurts her now.”
Chris laughed. “I doubt you’ll ever need to act on your threat. I’ve never seen Colin so in love with anyone in all the years I’ve known him. Hell, I’ve never seen him in love with anyone, so that should say it all.”
“Doesn’t mean I’ll let him off the hook. It’s my job to protect the people I love.” David turned his head toward me and winked; I squeezed his hand in response. I loved his protective side, the one he used not only with his sisters but with me, too. Not only did it make me feel safe, but also special. Loved.
Chris guffawed, and from the back of the car patted David’s shoulder. “Ah, look at you, now. I don’t have to guess whose wedding is coming up next.”
My he
art shot up my throat and my hand went all clammy at the realization of what Chris was implying. David only chuckled and didn’t take the bait—not that I was expecting him to say Chris was right. It would be weird if he’d already been thinking about us getting married, since we’d only been together three months—although, that hadn’t stopped me from fantasizing about it. But I was a girl, so that was normal, wasn’t it?
We spent the rest of the ride listening to James’s monologues that nobody could make out, and the tension left my body with every stroke of David’s thumb across the back of my hand.
When we reached the castle through a narrow private road winding through ancient trees, I stared in awe at my surroundings. It looked as if we’d stepped back in time, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect or more romantic venue for Kathy and Colin’s fairytale wedding. I almost expected horse-drawn carriages to be parked outside the beautiful Victorian mansion, and people dressed Jane Austen-style strolling around the manicured gardens. I got out of the car and David offered me his elbow again. I smiled at my own very gorgeous Mr. Darcy, and let him lead me inside.
The afternoon passed quickly. David and I sat at the table with Maggie, Ciara and Aidan, Chris, Melissa and James. After the best man’s speech, and an additional speech from David, who raised his glass to toast his brother, who would’ve turned thirty today, Kathy called for all the bachelorettes to gather around for the bouquet toss. I tried to inconspicuously take a few steps back, not wanting to have David feel any pressure in case I was the one who caught it. Two hands gripped my wrists—both Maggie and Ciara had seen my flight attempt, and with a grin they dragged me toward the group of squealing girls. How could women in the twenty-first century believe in such a silly superstition as the bouquet toss? I bet some of them didn’t even have a boyfriend, but probably hoped that by catching the bouquet they’d meet their Prince Charming the following day and end up tying the knot before the year was through.
Saved by an Angel Page 24
