Irish on the Rocks (Murphy Brothers)
Page 20
“I don’t speak dog, but I’m thinking that’s a yes,” Jack said, one hand on my waist and the other on Jane’s back.
I met Jack’s eyes, smiling as my heart beat wildly. “We both say yes.”
…
I wanted to call everyone and tell them the good news right away, but Jack agreed it would be better at brunch with my family there, and of course his brother, Sean.
My hands slightly shook as we walked through the long hallway toward the dining room.
“Nervous?” Jack asked.
“A little. I mean, this is a big deal and what if they all just think this is really a ruse or Mum hates me for marrying you or…”
He sealed his lips over mine before I could do any more protesting.
I just wanted to get lost in his kiss and savor the moment, but Jane barked at our feet, prying us a part. And I knew we had to face my family.
And his, for that matter.
As soon as we entered the dining room Granddad’s voice boomed, “And here’s the happy couple. Have something to say to us?”
My eyes widened as I turned to Jack who grinned. “What? Did you really think I’d ask you without getting your grandda’s permission first?”
“You wanker.” I squeezed his hand but couldn’t hide the elation in my voice.
Sean was the first one to stand from the table and give me a huge hug, lifting me off the ground to spin me before setting me back to the floor. “So I guess I get to call you sister now?”
He raised his eyebrows but then lowered them, narrowing his eyes at his brother. “Still stands that if you hurt her, I’ll kill you. Brother or not.”
Jack shook his head. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Now just to get you married off.”
Sean muttered something under his breath I couldn’t hear before the two brothers hugged. Then we went around the table getting congratulatory hugs from the rest of the family with Mum being the last one.
I held my breath as she slowly approached us.
“I just want to say…I’m happy this is how everything turned out,” Mum said. “Truly. I’m so sorry for any trouble I caused.”
I shook my head, glancing at Sean who stood to the side of us with his brows furrowed in question. “Mum, it’s fine…”
He was looking to play my bodyguard as always. But before he could approach us, Jack lifted his hand as if to say I got this.
Sean glanced at me then looked back to his brother with a curt nod.
“No. It’s not fine,” Mom quipped as I zeroed my attention back on her. “What your father did to this family put me in an awful place, one I shouldn’t have dragged you into. For that, I’m sorry, to you and your future husband.”
Her eyes flickered down then back to us, tears brimming. She’d always tried to hide her feelings from the world. That show of emotion nearly did me in.
Jack smiled, putting an arm around Mum. I had to swipe under my eyes to make sure I didn’t turn into a blubbering mess right there.
“Everything happens for a reason, and all that matters is that we’re all here now. Right where we’re supposed to be,” Jack said softly before kissing her cheek and shooting a wink in my direction.
Sean’s booming voice called over Mum’s shoulder, knocking us out of our happy little family moment. “Since this is a celebration now, does this mean we’re getting out the whiskey?”
Jack rolled his eyes, and I laughed. Each Murphy was more of a pain than the last. But they were my pains.
There were looming deadlines and a wedding to plan, but for once it was just about Jack and me. We had the rest of our lives to worry about the company and the family.
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Acknowledgments
First and foremost, to everyone who picked up Straight Up Irish and begged me to keep writing: You’re the backbone of these stories and what keep me going!
Big thanks to my agent, Stephanie with SBR Media for believing in me and this project when I didn’t want to keep writing. Her southern mama sass will make anyone work.
My amazing editor, Candace, who still refuses to use the term Alicorn but since she let me keep the salmon ladder scene, all is forgiven.
Big ups to my Entangled publicists and #TeamIrish, Holly and Riki. Thanks for putting up with my crazy.
Emersyn Vallis, Cat Mason, Angel Justice, Laura Ward, Misha Elliot, Kristen Johnson, and Lauren Fitch. Thank you all for reading and giving me feedback to make this story great even with 500,000 re-writes.
My Social Butterfly publicist, Emily, for believing in my stories even before I was a client.
The cast of Descendants and Black Panther: without these movies for my kids to watch over and over, this book would have never been completed.
Michelle, my Irish mo gra, thanks for keeping me bloody Irish.
My #FEELTHEVERN and #INSTAVERN teams. Thanks for always having my back and reading my stories.
Twothy, Liv, and Claire Bear. Thanks for loving me and my stories no matter what. Even if you think they sound boring. I love you all to the moon and back.
About the Author
Magan Vernon has been living off of reader tears since she wrote her first short story in 2004. She now spends her time killing off fictional characters, pretending to plot while she really just watches Netflix, and she tries to do this all while her two young children run amok around her Texas ranch. Find her online at www.maganvernon.com
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