Break the Rules (The Flanagan Sisters Book 1)

by Claire Boston

  She grabbed his arm, putting some weight on it as she adjusted her footing. “Please.”

  He grinned at her and helped her across the lawn to a spot under a tree.

  “Thank you. Tanya insisted on these heels.”

  “You’re as tall as me in those things.”

  She grimaced. “I feel like I’m on stilts. The sooner I can get them off, the better.”

  “Maybe I can help,” he said, still thinking of the garden shed.

  “Who have we got here?”

  Jack grinned and kissed his grandmother on the cheek. “Grandma, this is Bridget Flanagan. She’s Tanya’s best friend.”

  “Ah. The girl you’re living with.” The older woman looked Bridget up and down. “I don’t know how you walk in those shoes.”

  “I’m still trying to figure it out myself, ma’am,” Bridget said, with a smile.

  The older woman laughed.

  “Bridget this is my grandmother, Mary Sue.” He was a little wary about introducing them. His grandmother had a tendency toward bluntness and could offend people. Bridget was skittish enough tonight as it was.

  “Pleased to meet you.”

  “All this,” she waved her hand at Hal and Tanya, “must have come as a surprise to you. I’m glad Jack was able to help you out.”

  “That’s Tanya for you. When she knows what she wants, she’s determined.”

  His grandmother hummed.

  Recognizing the gleam in her eye and realizing she was in a prying mood, which could end badly, he asked, “Can I get you a drink, Grandma?” He held out an arm to lead her away.

  “A gin and tonic would be mighty fine,” Mary Sue said, ignoring his arm. “What would you like, dear?” she asked Bridget.

  “A lemonade, please. I won’t be able to walk if I get any alcohol into me.”

  He sighed as his grandmother winked at him. He should have known she wouldn’t fall for his attempt to distract her. He rushed to get the drinks.

  When he arrived back they were laughing together.

  “I’ll have to remember that if Jack ever gives me any kind of trouble,” Bridget said, as she took the drink he handed her.

  “You haven’t been giving away family secrets, have you, Grandma?” Jack asked, giving the older woman her gin and tonic.

  “Nothing of any value.” She glanced over his shoulder. “There’s your uncle, Neville. I must go and talk with him.” She patted his arm and walked away.

  “What were you two talking about?”

  “This and that.”

  Bridget smiled as she took a sip of her drink, and her lips on the glass reminded Jack of what he’d been about to do before the arrival of the newlyweds.

  Bridget’s eyes widened and she took a step back, holding up her free hand. “Don’t.” It was said with a laugh. “I know what that look means. I’m under orders to mingle, as I’m sure you are too. Plus I don’t have any more of this lipstick on me and I have to give a speech later. I don’t want to look like I’ve been ravished.”

  He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  “I’m sure you will.” She kept her hand in his.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

  Jack turned to his mother, letting go of Bridget’s hand. “Mom, this is Tanya’s best friend, Bridget. Bridget, my mother, Anna.”

  “I’m thrilled to meet you,” his mother said, giving Bridget a hug. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

  “Thank you. The place looks beautiful.”

  “Jackson and his father did most of the work,” Anna said. “Now I want to grab you and run through the program for this evening. You’re giving a speech, aren’t you?”

  Bridget nodded.

  “Great. I’m going to steal her for a little while,” she said to her son. “Why don’t you go catch up with your cousins?”

  Before Jack could argue, they had both walked off.

  He was going to have to wait a little longer to get her alone.

  * * *

  After Anna had gone through the details of the night, Bridget returned outside to resume mingling.

  She caught up with Tanya’s immediate family before she was cornered by Trish and Sally.

  “You look amazing, Bridge!” Sally said.

  Bridget forced a smile to her face. She felt like a fraud. She just wasn’t the slinky dress, high heels, and daring makeup kind of girl. “Tanya will use any excuse to get me into a dress.”

  “And every guy here is thankful for it,” Trish told her.

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Jack can’t keep his eyes off you,” Trish assured her, nodding to where Jack was standing talking to Tanya’s mother.

  Bridget tensed, debating what she should say.

  Trish reached out and put a hand on her arm. “Relax, Bridge. Your secret is safe with us. We won’t tell anyone, if you don’t want.”

  Was there any point in continuing to deny it? Bridget was torn – she wanted to be open about her relationship with Jack, but still there was her past. “Please don’t. I never meant … If people knew, what with Lionel.” She hated the uncertainty and the quiver in her voice.

  “We understand,” Sally said.

  “No one’s going to hear it from us,” Trish told her. “And one day I hope the truth comes out about the bastard, Lionel.”

  Bridget’s stomach was in rollercoaster mode and she put a hand there to calm it. Could she trust them to keep quiet? Maybe she should relax.

  Jack’s father tapped a microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you’d like to find your seats, dinner is about to be served.”

  “I’d better go,” Bridget said.

  The ‘bridal’ table was at the back of the tent. One of the groomsmen pulled out her chair for her. Bridget thanked him and glanced over at Jack who was sitting at Hal’s family table. He winked at her and she smiled. She hated that every time she considered telling anyone her stomach tied itself into knots. But surely she was safe here. The only people from work had promised to keep the secret.

  So maybe she could have that dance with Jack. And maybe after the speeches they could sneak away to the garden shed. Her blood heated just thinking about it.

  To her right, Tanya and Hal got to their feet.

  “We want to thank everyone for coming today to help us celebrate our marriage,” Tanya said. “It’s been a whirlwind romance, and we’re pleased y’all were able to make it.”

  “There are going to be a few speeches tonight,” Hal continued. “Just like the award ceremonies, everyone has a strict time limit and music will play if they go on for too long.”

  People chuckled.

  “So sit back and enjoy the night.” They raised their glasses and everyone cheered.

  The food was delicious, and between the courses people made their speeches. Both Tanya’s and Hal’s fathers said a few words, as well as one of the groomsmen, and then it was Bridget’s turn. She had a glass of champagne in front of her and she took a small sip. She didn’t want to overdo it.

  She stood carefully, brushed a hand over her dress and swallowed. Her eyes roved the crowd and she found Jack. Seeing his smile, she relaxed. “I met Tanya on my first day of school in the United States. I’d just moved from El Salvador, spoke only a little English, and was terrified about going to this foreign school. After my mother left, I stood in the playground, not knowing what to do or where to go, and this beautiful blonde girl came up to me and said, ‘My name’s Tanya. Let’s be friends.’” Bridget paused as some people in the crowd “awwed”. She smiled at the memory, so clear in her head. Tanya had seemed like an angel to her at the time.

  “And so it was. We became best friends on that first day and we’ve been friends ever since. Once Tanya puts her mind to something you better not get in her way, because she has such determination.” Bridget looked down at Tanya, the years of friendship warming her heart. “The day after she met Hal she said to me, ‘He’s the one’ and I knew if Ta
nya had her heart set on him, he didn’t stand a chance.”

  People laughed.

  “But it turns out, he was as besotted by her as she was by him, and you won’t find two better suited people.” Bridget picked up her glass. “So I’d like to make a toast. To Tanya and Hal.”

  The crowd echoed her words as they raised their glasses.

  * * *

  When the final plates were cleared and the DJ started playing, Bridget got to her feet to find Jack. Tanya stopped her.

  “Thank you, Bridge,” she said. “I was selfish leaving to move in with Hal and forcing you to move in with Jack. I’m sorry for the way I behaved. I was only thinking about myself.” She was absolutely sincere in her apology.

  Bridget could never hold a grudge against Tanya. She hugged her. “No harm so far,” she said with a smile.

  “You’re not having difficulties at work?”

  “There was one guy who made a fuss, but most believe it’s just a convenience thing.”

  “But it’s not, right?”

  Bridget looked over at Jack who was laughing with his grandmother and her heart gave a little twist. “No, it’s not.”

  * * *

  At Mary Sue’s insistence, Jack had the first dance with her. She bopped around the dance floor to the latest pop tune, waving her hands and having a great time. Jack wasn’t the greatest dancer but he managed to keep up with his grandmother and not embarrass himself completely.

  Then the music slowed so the happy couple could have their first dance. Jack stood back off the dance floor next to his grandmother as Hal and Tanya danced together. One by one, other couples joined them. Someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to see Bridget.

  Her hands were clenched together. “May I have this dance?”

  Her smile hit him straight in the chest. “Absolutely.”

  She took his hand and led him on to the dance floor, before wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He placed his hands around her waist and they swayed together.

  “So you decided it was OK for us to be seen together?”

  She nodded. “I’m doing my best. The girls from work don’t care and they promised not to say anything.”

  It was definitely a step in the right direction and Jack was going to take it. He didn’t want to spoil the evening by pushing for anything more. He pulled her closer to him, enjoying the way she fit with his body. This is what he wanted – to be able to hold her close, and declare in public that she was his and he was hers.

  Jack ran his hand down her back, enjoying the soft warmth of her skin under his hands. “You gave a lovely speech.”

  “Tanya may have her flaws, but she is my best friend.”

  “I understand your dedication to her now. The first friendly face in a strange country.”

  Bridget nodded. “She was so different with her blonde hair and pale skin – and so enthusiastic I couldn’t help but be drawn along.” She smiled. “We’ve had our differences of opinion at times, but we’ll always be friends.”

  It was nice she had someone like that, though he wasn’t convinced Tanya deserved Bridget’s dedication, especially not after the way she moved out. But he didn’t want to go into that now.

  “So what do I need to know about tomorrow?” He was finally going to the family lunch at Bridget’s mother’s insistence.

  Bridget groaned. “With everything else that’s been happening, I’d forgotten about it. Mama is going to give you the third degree when she realizes you’re not just my roommate. She knows about the Lionel affair and she’ll be worried about me. Don’t take it personally.”

  Jack’s stomach clenched. He wasn’t expecting that. “Would it be better to keep our relationship secret?” He felt like a wimp suggesting it.

  She shook her head. “Mama always knows. Carly will run interference if necessary.”

  “We’re picking Carly up tomorrow?”

  “Yeah. It’s my turn to drive. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

  Bridget didn’t appear to be the least bit concerned about facing her mother, but he was a bundle of nerves. Is this how Bridget felt when faced with telling the people at work that they were in a relationship?

  If so, he’d be more empathetic in future.

  Chapter 18

  Jack’s skin was humming with nerves by the time they picked Carly up the next morning. He had little idea what to expect from the day but he’d imagined all manner of horrific encounters. Meeting his girlfriend’s family had never been a big issue before.

  Carly soothed some of those nerves with her casual greeting as she climbed into the backseat. She was significantly shorter than Bridget, but had the same brown hair, though hers was straight. She wore a tailored peach-colored skirt and a white shirt, looking more like she was going to a board meeting than lunch at her mother’s house. Was he underdressed in his black jeans and blue shirt?

  “So Jack, how are you enjoying your new job?” Carly asked.

  “It’s got its challenges,” he said. “Bridget has been a great help. She knows the plant like the back of her hand.”

  “She sure does.”

  He wasn’t sure what to make of that comment. Was Carly annoyed her sister hadn’t got the job? “What do you do?” he asked.

  “I own a software company.”

  That’s right, he remembered Tanya mentioning it.

  “How do you think Mama’s going to behave today?” Bridget asked.

  Carly laughed. “That depends on how scared Jack looks.”

  The nerves shifted from Jack’s skin to his stomach.

  “Does she know you’re dating?”

  That was a good question. He glanced at Bridget.

  “Not yet.”

  “She’ll figure it out fairly quickly. Then she’ll want Jack’s life story.”

  He took a deep breath. He could deal with that. He was serious about Bridget and had no secrets. He was sure he could convince Carmen he wasn’t out to take advantage of her daughter.

  Bridget pulled in to the property. A huge two-story house dominated the drive and was surrounded by lush tropical plants. To one side there appeared to be some smaller cottages and an orchard.

  “What does your mother do?” Jack asked. They had never talked much about her family. He wasn’t sure whether her mother still worked.

  “She’s a foster mother,” Bridget said. She opened the car door to get out, fending off two dogs; one brown Labrador cross, the other with hints of German Shepherd.

  “Mis niñitas!” came the cry from the house.

  Jack slowly got out of the car as a petite older woman, who looked very much like Carly, came out to meet them. She flung her arms around Bridget and then Carly.

  “Mama, this is Jack. Jack, my mother, Carmen.”

  He’d learned basic Spanish in high school. “Buenos dias, Senora Flanagan,” he said. “Cómo estás?”

  Her response in rapid-fire Spanish went completely over his head. “Ah …” He looked at Bridget for help.

  “She said she is well and welcomes you to her house.” She turned to her mother. “It’s best if we speak English with Jack.”

  Her mother nodded. “If you wish,” she said with a strong accent. “Come in.”

  Jack followed the women through the house to the kitchen out back. A rich tomato aroma filled the air and he sniffed with appreciation. Three girls stood at a long wooden bench, chopping vegetables. One had strawberry blonde hair and lightly tanned skin, and was in her mid-twenties. The other two were younger, perhaps mid-teens, and were obviously of Hispanic descent.

  “Zita, this is Jack,” Bridget said.

  The strawberry blonde looked up and grinned. “Hola!” She left the bench and came to hug him. “Welcome.”

  Jack blinked back his surprise as he hugged her back. Zita was Bridget’s younger sister, but he was expecting her to look like Carly and Bridget.

  The other two girls kept their eyes down on what they were doing.

  “This is Teres
a, and Elena,” Zita introduced them.

  “Howdy,” he said.

  Both girls’ eyes widened and they looked at each other and giggled. They must be the foster kids Bridget mentioned.

  “How was the party last night?” Zita asked her sister.

  “Lovely. Tanya and Hal are really happy.”

  “Do you think it will last?”

  Jack glanced at Zita. The question wasn’t malicious, merely curious. He was interested in Bridget’s answer.

  She was quiet for a moment. “Yes, I think it will. It may have happened quickly but when Tanya makes up her mind, she sticks with it.”

  Jack was pleased. He loved his brother and would hate for him to be hurt.

  Carmen harrumphed. “She is the reason you had no roommate and that you had to ask your jefe to move in with you.”

  Jack didn’t know what a jefe was and he wasn’t sure what to say.

  Carly rolled her eyes. “Mama, let’s talk about this after lunch.”

  Carmen frowned but nodded.

  Bridget led Jack into the dining room while Carmen called out something in Spanish. A moment later four more teenaged girls came into the room, all chatting to each other. Zita made the introductions and when everyone had started serving themselves and talking he leaned over and asked Bridget quietly, “How many children does your mother foster?”

  “It varies. At the moment she has six. Zita helps her out.”

  He wanted to ask more questions, but it seemed rude to ask in front of the girls. He wasn’t sure how sensitive they were about the situation. The conversation around the table proceeded in Spanish. Carmen clapped her hands together. “We have a guest. This is a good chance for you to practice your English, girls. No Spanish for the rest of the day.”

  A couple of the girls grimaced, but dutifully began speaking in halting English as they talked about a television show. Jack stayed silent, content to listen. He sympathized with the girls struggling to express their opinions in a language that was foreign to them. He wouldn’t be even half that articulate if he’d had to remember much more of his high-school Spanish.

  “So Jack, you’re the new safety manager at Dionysus,” Carmen said.