“Jesus,” Rory mumbled under his breath. Sean stifled a smile while Colm simply stared at Todd with raised brows.
“I’m fine, Todd, although you might be arrested for impersonating a medical professional.”
“Nonsense,” he quipped.
“Or you might be unemployed if all our clients pull out from us since Partridge Tower might have problems filling their occupancies now.”
“Darling, don’t worry about that!” Todd enthused. “We made so many contacts at the gala that have nothing to do with the Towers. We’ll be adding employees soon!”
Her eyes widened in surprise and once again, she winced. “Ow.”
“Okay, that’s it,” Rory declared. “Dad, love you. Thanks for coming, and tell Mom we love her, and she can visit tomorrow. Sean, bottom of my heart, bro. Tell Harper that Sandy’s okay, and we’ll call her tomorrow, also. Todd… I don’t know what the fuck to say to you other than thanks for being such a good friend.” Laughter flowed from the three men as they walked out the door, and Rory turned to her.
“Oh, my, I can see the strict, paramedic Rory is about to take over.” She smiled softly and added, “By the way, I haven’t thanked you for saving my life.”
“Babe, it was everyone on the team.”
“I know, but it was you who carried me down all those steps.”
“You don’t weigh much more than my regular equipment.”
Huffing, she glared. “Rory… take my appreciation.”
He stepped closer and cupped her face in his hands. “Okay, babe. But know that I’d walk through fire for you.”
Her heart soared as her breath halted in her throat. Tears pricked the back of her eyes as she stared into his face, wanting to memorize every nuance. Swallowing deeply, she blew out a soft breath. “I love you—”
His kiss interrupted the words but not the emotion. Allowing him to sweep her away with the feel of his lips on hers, she held on tight.
28 One Month Later
Rory glanced up at the heavy, wooden Celtic Cock sign swinging slightly as the breeze blew down the street. As many times as he had been in and out of the pub, a strange sense of déjà vu filled him. Pushing open the door, he entered the familiar and welcoming interior.
Recognizing many of the patrons as fellow first responders or members of the police department, he stopped to greet a few, offering chin lifts to many of the others. Moving through the crowd, he made his way to the far end of the bar where his gaze landed on a beautiful blonde perched on top of the barstool.
Her thick hair was pulled away from her face and held with a clip, allowing the long tresses to hang down her back. A blue, silky blouse with an off-centered bow tied around her neck was tucked into a tight black skirt that reached just above her knees, showing off her shapely calves. Her legs were crossed at the ankles. Black pumps with tall heels encased her feet that barely reached the rung of the barstool. He knew instinctively that even with the added height, she would still tuck just under his chin if she was standing.
As usual, she was chatting with a small group of women and surrounded by several men. Her right arm rested across the top of the highly polished wooden bar, and her delicate fingers stayed around the stem of her glass filled with pale yellow liquid. A Lemon Drop Martini.
She was beautiful… fuckin’ gorgeous. Her left hand waved around as she talked, her expression as animated as her movements. Around her wrist was a thin diamond bracelet that reflected the lights in the bar. But it wasn’t the only piece of jewelry that glistened. A diamond engagement ring captured the light as well as his attention. Some guy is a lucky bastard.
He stepped closer, keeping his gaze on her so that he could watch the exact second that she realized he was there. Her head swung around, her blue eyes twinkled, and a wide, slightly crooked smile spread across her lips. And just like always, that expression speared him straight through his heart. Fuck yeah, I’m a lucky bastard.
He closed the distance in two steps, his hand landing on her back as he bent and took her lips in a quick kiss. “Hey, baby.”
“Hey,” she breathed, staring at him with unabashed emotion.
He dragged his gaze away from her face, greeting Harper, Kimberly, and Erin. A few minutes later, his brothers Sean and Kyle made it into the pub, immediately heading to their wives. It didn’t miss his attention that Erin drank little but cast her eyes in Torin’s direction whenever his back was turned. It also didn’t miss his attention that Torin’s gaze often shot to Erin’s end of the bar. A fingernail poked him in the ribs, and he looked down at Sandy who offered him a bug-eyed shake of her head. Assuming that meant she didn’t want him to interrupt Erin and Torin’s ridiculous looking and not-looking dance, he rolled his eyes.
Bill walked by and said hello, his flavor of the week on his arm. After Sandy’s rescue, he’d had a heartfelt talk with both Harper and Sandy, admitting that he’d grown used to their trio friendship and had felt left out when Harper got with Sean and it was obvious that Sandy was interested in Rory. He admitted it was petty, and since his apology was sincere, they had all maintained their friendship.
With his arm draped around Sandy’s shoulder, Rory chatted with his brothers while keeping an eye on her drink—a habit he now knew he’d never stop. Anything to protect Sandy and keep her focused on the future. They’d only been engaged for a week, but between his mom and Martha, he had no doubt Sandy would get the wedding she deserved. He didn’t care how it happened, he just wanted her.
“How’s the house hunting going?” Sean asked.
He grinned, capturing his brothers’ attention as well
