Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“Okay, I’ll get over it,” he says. “How ‘bout you?”
“I love you and I want you in my life. It made me sick that you thought I did something to hurt you when I got with Mickey. I know you want what’s best for me, and you worry about me being safe around the business. But we grew up that way, and it’s gonna be fine,” I tell him. “Trust me. Trust both of us, okay?’
Rory comes over to the couch and kisses the top of my head. Then he sits down on the couch with us. “Whaddaya got to tell me now? Are you getting’ married already?”
I blink fast, thrown by that half-sarcastic suggestion. I don’t even look at either of them. A slow breath to steady myself and then I just brazen it out.
“We’re having a baby,” I say.
“Baby.” Rory says the word like he doesn’t know what it means. The dumbfounded look on his face is not exactly the joy I’d hoped for at becoming an uncle, but there’s nothing for it.
“That’s right. There’s a baby Donahue O’Halloran on the way,” Mickey says.
“Please tell me you’re not naming it that,” he says wryly. Then he grins at me. I didn’t see that coming, the smile on my brother’s face.
“We haven’t picked out a name yet,” I say. “We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet.”
“Well at least you’re not stuck on naming it Donahue either way,” he says. “I can’t believe it. My little sister’s having a baby.”
I look over at Mickey and smile, trying not to get teary-eyed. “I guess I have to learn not to underestimate the men in my life,” I say in what I hope is a lighthearted tone.
“Yeah, we’re not half bad, are we, Rory?” Mickey says fondly, never taking his eyes off me. “She thought you were gonna hit the roof over this.”
“I’m sorry you felt that way Katie. I’ve been a really shitty big brother, haven’t I? I promise to do better from now on.”
I hug my brother, so relieved he’s on board with my new little family. I could go ahead and be happy building this life even with his disapproval, but I’m happy I don’t have to.
“Rory’s a cute name. It can work for a boy or a girl. I mean, I think it’s a manly Irish name, but that kid on Gilmore Girls was named Rory,” he says.
“Oh my God, I forgot you used to watch that with Mom when I was little!” I laugh. “How did I not remember my big tough brother fussing over how she belonged with Jess and not Lincoln.”
“Logan. That piece of shit’s name was Logan,” Rory grumbles and we all laugh. I relax against Mick’s shoulder and we talk and laugh like things will work out for all of us.
After Rory goes home, I’m pretty tired. I go to the kitchen for a glass of water and run into Mickey coming down the stairs. “I think I’m gonna shower and go to sleep early,” I tell him.
“Can you make it another fifteen minutes?” he asks.
“Sure, why?”
“Come up to the roof with me,” he says. There’s excitement in his eyes that I used to think were so cold. The smolder there is unmistakable, and even as tired as I am, I feel eager to go to our special place. I take his hand and let him lead me up the steps to the rooftop deck.
25
MICKEY
When I lead her out onto the deck, I keep my eyes on Katie’s face. I know what’s set up behind me. I planned it in meticulous detail. What I’m here for is her reaction. I watch her expression transform. She widens her eyes and I see the reflection of golden sparkles there. Her lips part in surprise as she steps clear of the stairs and stands on the deck taking it all in. With the help of an obliging florist and a couple of men from the decorator’s staff, I’ve installed a wooden pergola to give shade up here but mainly to act as a frame for the gleaming Edison bulbs strung around and across it.
Tall ivory pillar candles are grouped on the rattan coffee table near the sofa and on the bar cart. The bottles and ice bucket are displaced to a cabinet below because the cart holds candles, a bouquet of lilies and little glass jars of chocolate mousse. The candle flames flicker in the soft breeze off the water below. Another bunch of stargazer lilies, showy and bright pink streaked with white dazzle in a low vase on the table and sweeten the air. Sparkling cider chills in a silver bucket with crystal champagne flutes nearby.
“It’s so beautiful!” Katie says, her uncommonly pretty face radiant with wonder. “I love it!”
“That’s what I was going for,” I say. I settle her on the sofa and tuck the soft pink cashmere blanket around her shoulders in case she’s chilly.