~
Dinner was a lengthy, relaxed affair as they lingered over a lobster and steak duo and expensive wines. Before it was even half over, Martin’s boys began running around the space, alternating between playing tag, hide and seek, and stopping to check protectively on Daisy as she slept in someone’s arms. Daisy was continuously passed around the table, everyone enjoying their moment of holding her.
Shay caught a wistful look on Felicity’s face as Conor held the baby, and he wondered what more was behind it. He and Conor had deepened their friendship with that trip to San Francisco, but Conor still wasn’t the sort to confide in Shay. It was likely Gavin knew the whole story, and Shay was fine with that. They all had their own dynamics with each other and the best thing was that even after all these years, they were only becoming better, stronger friends.
Emboldened by that thought, Shay took his fork and tapped it against his wine glass to get everyone’s attention. It was still an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place to be the center of attention, but with this group of friends, it was something he could welcome.
They all slowly quieted their own conversations and looked to him, and he cleared his throat as he stood up.
“I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for me this year—each of you. It’s been a wild fucking ride,” Shay said and they laughed with him. “Seriously, though, you’re the best people I know. Cheers.”
They all raised their glasses, clinking them together in support of his toast. There was much high spirited and good natured talking over each other as they all returned the sentiment to Shay.
“Come on, kid, you didn’t start the party without me, did you?”
Shay hadn’t sat back down yet and now he quickly turned around, recognizing the voice immediately. Danny Boy was walking toward them. He looked thinner than usual, had a scrape on his chin, and dark circles under his eyes, but he was in one piece and that was all that Shay cared about. He went to meet him and hugged him in relief.
Pulling away, Shay said, “You’re here.” He hadn’t heard from Danny Boy since that night in San Francisco, though he had thought of him every day.
“Told you I would be,” Danny Boy said.
“Well, come. You look like you could use a good meal.”
“That I could.”
Shay led his brother to the table where he was warmly welcomed by the whole group. Shay gave him his chair and he sat next to Jessica. She looked at Shay, uncertainty in her eyes. Danny Boy’s presence always led to more questions than answers.
This complicated their lives once more. As he had told Jessica not long ago, he was okay with complicated. Whereas once he was intent on smoothing things over, at being a peacemaker even at his own expense, he now felt capable of handling life at its messiest.
Putting a hand on Jessica’s shoulder, he gave her a reassuring squeeze. When she looked up at him, he nodded. After a moment’s hesitation, she smiled. And while all wasn’t perfect, he was confident things were heading in the right direction.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lara Ward Cosio is the author of the Rogue Series Novels. When not writing, she can be found chasing her two girls around the house or at the beach,
always with music on in the background.
For more of the Rogue Series, see
Tangled Up In You: A Rogue Series Novel
Playing At Love: A Rogue Series Novel
To learn more about the Rogue Series, visit:
LaraWardCosio.com
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Hitting That Sweet Spot Page 31
