Two Men and a Baby - Isla Olsen Page 0,2

dinner. Sounds good, right? The only problem is when it comes to my family ‘intimate’ is not really an option.

I have ten siblings, many of whom have partners, so once you add in my parents, Heath’s family, and the wedding party…well, your ‘intimate’ dinner becomes something of a raucous affair.

After the dessert has been cleared, Declan’s fiance Heath calls for everyone’s attention. “Okay, so I’m not going to stand up—Dec’s been getting handsy under the table and I have a bit of a situation, so…”

There’s a chorus of chuckles around the table, except for our mom, who cuts Declan with a lethal look. “Declan Joseph! That is hardly appropriate dinner table behavior!”

“He’s a savage, Mom,” my brother Liam says. “I don’t know where you went wrong with him.”

I shake my head in wry amusement as I watch Mom turn her attention to Liam, with a pissed off look I have been on the receiving end of many times. “I wouldn’t talk if I were you, Liam. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about your little escapade with Lisa Hebert while you were supposed to be babysitting!”

“Christ, Mom, that was twenty years ago!”

“And who is Lisa Hebert?” Liam’s wife, Melinda, demands, eyes narrowed on her husband.

Liam lets out a frustrated groan, rubbing a hand over his face. “Fucking hell.” Glancing up, he appeals to our soon-to-be brother-in-law, “Hey, Heath—weren’t you supposed to be giving a toast?”

“Right,” Heath says with a nod of his head. “The proper toasts will be happening tomorrow night—Grandpa tells me he’s been working hard on his, and I’m sure Shay will come up with something super sweet and sappy now he’s experienced true love for himself.” There’s another bubble of laughter as both Shay and his boyfriend, Jamie, give Heath a rude gesture, their faces arranged in matching smirks. There was a time not too long ago where they were both absolutey certain they could have a fling without developing feelings for each other. Well, that plan sure didn’t work.

“But anyway,” Heath continues, “I just want to take this moment on behalf of Declan and myself to thank all of you, not just for being here tonight but for all of the support you’ve given us over the course of our relationship and through the years of our friendship. And that’s about it for now, you can go back to drinking again.”

Once he’s finished his little toast, we all start tinkling our glasses and chanting for them to kiss. With a grin, Declan leans over and presses a kiss to his fiance’s lips, eliciting a chorus of awws from everyone present.

A few moments later, the grooms rise from the table, hand in hand.

“Where are you two going?” Mom demands.

“Uh, we’re just going to get some air,” Declan says, his bright red face giving him away.

“Bullshit!” I exclaim, calling them out. “They’re going somewhere to have sex!”

With a shrug, Declan and Heath stalk off from the table, presumably to do just that.

About an hour later, I decide it’s time to turn in. Things are starting to get even rowdier but I’m kind of tired after flying in from Denver today and we’ve all got a big day tomorrow. As I’m making my way back to my room, I pass the hotel bar; I’m not sure what makes me notice him, but my eyes zero in on a man sitting alone at the bar.

Maybe it’s because I only find myself attracted to men very occasionally, so when I do it’s hard not to notice. Or maybe it’s because I can’t help wondering how a guy this fucking gorgeous could be sitting alone.

As I approach him, I can see he’s already pretty wasted. There’s a beer and a couple empty shot glasses in front of him, and he’s holding another in his hand.

“You okay, man?”

He slams his shot glass on the bar and throws his head back with a groan of frustration, the action almost causing him to topple off the stool. “Why does everyone keep asking me that? I’m fine.”

I can’t help the soft chuckle that passes my lips as I say, “Clearly.”

Straightening back up, he looks directly at me, his expression intent. “Okay, you—Mr. Sexy Beard Man. You’re gonna be my witness. Okay? Okay?”

I nod, my face stretched into a wide grin—half from amusement and half from the fact he called me sexy. “Sure thing. Your witness to what?”

He stretches his arms out wide. “That I’m fine! I’m not freaking out. I’m not about to keel over. I’m not pining