Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Ness and I were let in at one, and the bar smelled heavenly for tonight’s service.
Santa had thrown up all over the ceiling too. Glittery ribbons, red ornaments, and fake greenery hung between the wooden beams.
“Good to see you again, darlin’.” Mick smiled at Nessa. “You visitin’ to drive Kellan bonkers?”
“You know it!” She beamed and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
I chuckled and sat down in my regular booth. Right outside the window, people were rushing along the sidewalk, some with shopping bags, others with their umbrellas ready. It’d rained all morning.
I shrugged out of my jacket and ordered two of the usual from Mick.
“Comin’ right up,” he replied. “You want from last night’s service, I take it?”
“Always, mate.” The stew he had going for tonight wasn’t ready yet. It was divine because it was allowed to simmer for a whole day. And leftovers were even better.
As soon as we were left alone, Nessa pulled out her phone and told me she had the entire weekend planned out for us. “Emilia said Uncle Shan is staying with you, so I’ll definitely sleep at Luna’s,” she informed me, removing her gloves. “I already talked to her. I can’t wait to see little CJ! But more on that later. We’re going shopping tomorrow, and it’s going to be an all-day affair.” Wonderful. “I’m thinking lunch around the same time as today?”
“We’ll eat here or at home, your call.”
“Here’s fine. I’ll bring my notebook for that. I have so many questions.”
My eyebrows went up, and I patted my pockets for my smokes. “That sounds terrifying.”
“I’m sure. Men in our family don’t like questions.” She sniffed.
I couldn’t help but grin at the girl. Unlike most guys I knew, I actually didn’t mind shopping for clothes with Nessa. We went to the same stores; it was my one and only luxury. Except for watches. I liked a nice watch. But for clothes, we both wanted it classy and British. It was the rest of the shopping spree I dreaded, ’cause after I’d gotten my fill of Burberry, Cheaney, Ted Baker, and Hackett, Nessa was ready for accessories, manicures, makeup, and perfume.
“I propose a compromise,” I said, lighting up a cigarette. “I go with you to all the boring stores where you buy shit that sparkles or smells—and no questions—or we end our shopping after we’ve bought clothes, and you get to ask three questions.”
Because I already knew what the questions were about.
Ness chewed her lip and narrowed her eyes at me. “Is this one of those times where you say you propose something but it’s something I can’t reject?”
“You’re clever.”
“Dammit.”
Mick came out from behind the bar with a stout and an ashtray for me and a glass of non-alcoholic sparkling wine for the lady.
She thought it was real champagne.
“I love being back in Philly.” Nessa’s eyes lit up at her drink. “Dad never lets me drink alcohol. Liam doesn’t either.”
I smirked and extended my glass. “Sláinte, darlin’.”
She clinked her glass to mine. “Cheers.”
The girl was eager to grow up, but I had limits. Alcohol could wait.
“By the way, I prioritize the questions,” she told me. “Finn’s told Alec a bunch of stuff. I wanna know too.”
That was different. Nessa’s twin brother was A, a boy, and B, Finn’s protégé. One day, Alec would be the boss of the syndicate.
“Yeah, life’s unfair,” was my diplomatic response. I took a sip of my stout, then a drag from my smoke. “But you’ll get your three questions. Make ’em count.”
The determination that bled into her features was cute.
Given that Nessa would sleep at my sister’s place, we went straight there after lunch. She might as well keep her stuff in Luna’s apartment too.
We were met by the sound of a screaming baby upon entry, so I was gonna try to duck out as quickly as possible.
“Anybody home?” I called.
“No, I left my son alone and went out!” Luna hollered from the bedroom.
Nessa giggled and removed her ankle boots.
Luna’s place looked much like mine upstairs, small entryway that opened up to the living room and dining area. Narrow kitchen, two bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms. I decided to visit the half bath in the entryway right away, ’cause I’d had three beers with lunch.
By the time I was done, I found Nessa and Luna in the living room just as my sister handed over an upset CJ.
“He’s so damn cute, Luna. Oh my gosh.”
I joined them and kissed the top of Luna’s head. I couldn’t even give her shit for looking like roadkill in one of my hoodies with puke on it, her long version of a pixie cut in wild disarray, because I’d never seen her so at peace as she’d been since she became a mother.
She smiled up at me. “Did you by any chance bring me some food?”