“Extra measures are good idea.” Carter isn’t looking at me when he responds. “That’s what I told them when Brady called to let me know why they couldn’t make it tonight.”
So that’s why the couple hadn’t shown up. I’m not upset about it. I feel comfortable with these three, and it’s been a long time since I socialized on a regular basis. A regular not for an article basis.
But I’m wishing the topic of conversation wasn’t so depressing.
“I love that bar,” I sigh. “I’d hate it if what happened ended up changing the atmosphere.” No matter what they say, that would be my fault. My bad judgment. My mistake.
“It won’t change anything at all, JD. Okay, maybe the cameras will put a stop to the unmonitored sex in the alley,” Fiona adds with a grin. “But Finn’s isn’t a quiet little pub anymore. Not after all the renovations Seamus has made. With the label taking off and the place being packed more often than not… More people should mean more security. I hear that’s good business.”
Wyatt used his napkin to wipe his lips with a bit too much care before turning his attention on Fiona. “Had a lot of sex in the alley, Fi?”
She chuckles and pats him on the arm. “Not me, firecracker, but if you haven’t then you might be the only Finn who missed the boat.” She catches me smiling and arches her slender brows. “Here’s a scoop for you, Green. Wyatt’s family is predisposed to a certain behavior we professional headshrinkers like to call exhibitionism.”
“Who can blame them?”
“Exactly. They’re all so naturally gifted, of course they’d want to show it off.” Her smile is wider now. “You would be shocked if you knew how much time I spend warning people not to take their breaks out back when a Finn is in the house. But I have to admit, I enjoy it so much more when they don’t listen.”
“I’m shocked.” I’m not. Not at all. I’ve heard the kinky whispers. Even Senator Finn’s wife was rumored to be a real wild thing before the wedding. I doubt being married with kids has changed her that much.
I feel Carter’s knee accidentally brush against mine and imagine him cornering me against a wall somewhere public where the two of us might be discovered. The idea of him being so impatient to claim me that he can’t wait until we’re alone, that he’d want everyone to know exactly who I belong to…
I adjust myself under the table.
I can see the appeal.
“Let’s not write about that scoop, okay, man?” Wyatt includes me in the glare he’s directing at Fiona. “My family doesn’t need any more notoriety. Not about our…not about that.”
I mime locking my mouth with a key and throw it over my shoulder. “This dinner is off the record.”
He nods and swiftly changes the subject. “Carter, you should come to the next Finn Again. I bet Brady would like it. He already thinks of you as family.”
“He— Yeah? Maybe I will.” No one else notices, but I can see that telling twitch near his eye that says he’s flustered. Surprised. Why would he be surprised? He has to know how much Brady admires him.
“If you made this you’d have a standing invite, and I’d have someone to talk to who isn’t otherwise occupied.” Wyatt pauses and shakes his head. “That was rude, wasn’t it? I didn’t mean to assume you weren’t… If you’re seeing someone, you could absolutely bring her to dinner, man.”
Carter quirks his lips. “Don’t worry, Wyatt. You’re right. I’m not in a relationship at the moment.”
He’s looking at me when he says it, and I’m doing my best not to read into every move he makes. “It must be hard to be one of the few remaining single guys in the family. Too much PDA with your pasta, buddy?”
Wyatt nods but Fiona makes a scoffing sound. “Don’t let him fool you. I’ve been to one or two of those dinners myself. He loves teasing his family about their public displays. It’s the babies that bug him more than anything.”
“Fiona.”
“He doesn’t know how to act around toddlers he isn’t rescuing from burning buildings, and he still isn’t used to his brother being a single dad.”
There’s a tightening around Wyatt’s mouth and tension in his shoulders as soon as she mentions his brother. Why? I don’t know enough about them to guess and it makes me wildly curious.
Why can’t life be like a television show? Watchers usually get to know what’s going on well in advance, even if the characters haven’t found out yet. I hate not knowing things.
“Zachary’s a cute little guy.” Carter throws in, unaware of the undercurrents he’s paddling into. “I’ve seen the pictures Brady has on his phone. And Noah’s a good man to take that on by himself. Not many men would do that.”