Page 49 of Love You Already
“Dinner is not going to be anything fancy,” Lachlan tells me once we're strapped back in the truck. “I'm big on finding spots that aren't all that popular and making them my own little secret. I don't even take the guys here, despite them hounding me to.”
“Let me guess, Mexican food?” I tease.
He shakes his head. “Surprisingly, not tonight. I'm in the mood for sushi and some hibachi style food. You in?”
My smile is wide and genuine. “ALWAYS!”
Lachlan startles at my shout. I apologize quickly, then tuck myself into the door in embarrassment.
“No need to act like that, wife. I just need to add this to the list of things you like so I can make you this excited in the future. I want to know it all, every piece of you, Rose.”
“That goes two ways, Superstar. You can't leave me in the dark either.”
He reaches for my hand as he navigates Houston's streets. “Ask me anything. I've already shared the hard parts with you. I'm sure there will be more to discuss, but I don't think I'll burst into tears again,” he says with a chuckle.
I take the opening to ask what I've been wanting to all morning. “My first question would be: What happened to all of your extended family? You mentioned all those aunts and uncles.”
As I'm watching to gauge his reaction, his face lights up. “They're all doing great. Most of them are spread around the country. A few wound up in Chicago, one in New York, another in New Orleans. I even had one uncle move to Ireland to claim he wanted to be close to his roots. They're all still alive and well though. We have a group chat for big events or when we need everyone updated on someone. Oh, and there's a reunion every year for us to get together.”
Relief moves through me knowing there aren't any more tragic stories on the horizon. “That's amazing! I'm glad you have that network of support, even if they aren't around all the time.”
“Me too. They were devastated when my parents passed, and each one offered to bring me into their little mini communities if I wanted. I opted to stay with the team and take a risk on my own. It was a long-term gamble that paid off in the end.” He lifts my fist to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles as he keeps his eyes on the road.
Little movements like that fill the rest of the car ride to the restaurant as I poke and prod him for tiny details in his life I might have missed. I'm damn near feral for him when he finally parks in front of a nondescript building in the Highland neighborhood. Somehow, I manage to hold it together long enough to climb out when he opens my door. I keep it together while he holds my hand and leads us past the hostess to a little table with a reserved sign in a dimly lit back corner. I even keep my cool as we settle in to pick up the menus.
But the second his hand hits my leg; I lose my remaining calm. I ease my menu down with as much patience as I possess, then I grab his face and kiss him with all the pent-up energy inside my body. I pour every bit of longing out between us as I trace his lips with my tongue. That's all it takes for him to also lose his cool because his hands tug my chair even closer as he delves into my mouth, dragging his tongue over mine like he's desperate for a taste of me.
We're so lost in the kiss that it takes a minute for the rough coughing to register. I yank back to look across the table at the older woman standing there with a hand on her hip and a smirk on her lips.
“You bring a girl here for the first time and kiss her like fish out of water. Shame, Locky!” Her English is heavily accented with each word she speaks, yet it's clear enough I pick up each word. A blush works through me as the reality of the moment hits. We're in public making out like freaking teenagers all because I got worked up over him.
“Sorry,Baachan. I didn't mean to get carried away. This is my Rose. Rose, this isBaachan. She basically adopted me after my first visit here, hence why I call her Granny,” Lachlan explains to me as he beams at the woman across the table.
“It's nice to meet you.” My smile is genuine.
She smiles back at me, her gaze assessing me for a moment before she turns to Lachlan. “Keep her. She is a good one.”
My husband turns to me with a knowing grin. “Oh, I plan to.”
CHAPTER 24
IT FEELS ASS BACKWARDS, SON.
Lachlan
I scroll through the latest releases to see what movie might be good for tonight. Dinner is cooling on the counter, and my wife is due home any minute now. She worked the early shift at the bar tonight, and after a healthy discussion about her work schedule, she agreed to come home early. Early being eleven p.m. I consider it much more reasonable than three a.m., so I'll take the compromise.
Settling on one of the movies on her wish list, Moneyball, I queue it up and go about dishing up the food. Rose walks in the door right as I finish pouring her drink.
“Hey, Ace. You ready for movie night?” I call out from the kitchen.
There's a thud followed by a groan. “I need a shower first, please. Some guys got so drunk I had to call the sheriff again. They spilled an entire pitcher over my head before chanting 'wet t-shirt contest'.”
My hands fist as I picture the situation clearly. I don't like it one bit, but I'm not the caveman type who will tell her she can't do what she wants. Sips is her baby, her brainchild. I would never make her feel guilty for the actions of some idiot loser who chugged too much beer in her establishment.
Women are not to blame for men being ridiculous. My mother taught me that from a young age and it is a principle I hold to still.
“I'm sorry that happened,” I tell her as she passes to go to the shower. “Get cleaned up and then come on out. I've got everything ready to go.”