Page 78 of Her Irish Boss

Brogan shifted to face his brother. “Then why do you sound annoyed?”

“Because that means we're actually going through with this.” His lips pressed into a thin line, and he crossed his arms. “I could always come back here. You know, back to Atlanta when the rest of the world became too chaotic. The menu at O'Keeley's is my creation, but it was never labeled as that. The restaurant is hardly mentioned at all in the articles that are written when I do competitions or demonstrations. I suppose it might have helped us, but I enjoy the anonymity. The break in the pace.”

“I get it. I appreciate you putting yourself out there for us. Selena said the ticket sales have been incredible. She's even sold drink tickets for the specialty drink.”

“Who let Cathal be in charge of that? I told him what we were having, and he picked a damn whiskey cocktail.”

Brogan chuckled. “He had to have some input. And we all knew it'd be whiskey he picked.” Cathal had proved himself much more involved when asked. He showed up when told. He handled the loan at the bank and Selena's granny's situation. He still didn't have day-to-day responsibility, but Brogan might find a place for him.

“Irish Redhead. He picked the drink in honor of thebartender at the bar where he assaulted Simmons. Her testimony cleared his name.”

“Is that all he did for her?” Rian's question was met with another round of laughter.

“I think so. He tried to talk to her, but she didn't want anything to do with him.”

Rian’s shocked expression matched his own when he'd found out. “I didn't know such a woman existed. We should take her picture and hang it on the wall as it's equal to a picture of the Loch Ness Monster, I'd wager. A fictional character that you don't think it exists until you see it with your own eyes.”

“He was very disappointed, I think. I suspect he'll try again in a couple of weeks. You'd think he'd just move on to the next pretty face, but the way she declined his date intrigued him. She told him that she didn't date violent men.”

“Violent,” Rian said the word, probably hating it the same way Brogan did. “He does have that tendency, but only in very peculiar situations. And until your Selena found herself in trouble, he'd not acted out since we left Ireland. Fifteen years. I wouldn't call that a violent man.”

Brogan had thanked Cathal dozens of times, but he'd brushed it off and thanked Brogan in return for saving his arse both times he'd found himself behind bars for the same situation.

He patted Rian's shoulder. “Tomorrow will go smoothly. Selena has driven herself short of mad with all her lists. I even have a list.”

“Oh, she gave me a list to cover my lists,” Rian said.

“See. After the event, you can crawl back into trudging around Europe, discovering new food and women. Your happy place.” Because Rian hated staying stationary. Alwayshad. The middle O’Keeley needed to ramble around the world. It kept him from remembering his own painful past.

“I thought about sticking around this fall. Traveling the United States.” He motioned to the ten cooks prepping the food for tomorrow. “Seeing how I can improve this. I realize I prepare traditional Irish dishes, but they aren't always authentic. Americans aren't used to some of those flavors. I'd like to find a way to merge our culture with theirs. A new fusion. Something unique.”

“Have at it. I'll be here, buying a multi-million-dollar piece of property, leaving every night hoping a pretty golden-haired woman lets me see her one more time.”

Rian nodded. “Yes. Try not to mess that up, please. Cathal and I both like her. She's not afraid to call you on your bullshit.”

“Thanks. You should put that in her birthday card come November. It's a nice sentiment.”

They both chuckled, and Brogan left Rian to his preparations. He had just enough time to find that pretty woman and sneak a few kisses before things in the restaurant became too busy.

19

Selena shouted at the bartender over the music. “I need my order.” He shrugged and pointed at the back up of tickets. She moved behind the bar to help. The fundraiser had turned into near chaos. Controlled chaos. And if she were in charge completely, she'd have already fired this bartender, whoever he was.

“Miss?”

Selena glanced over her shoulder. An elegant woman, with blunt-cut bangs, raised a finger to get her attention. She reminded her of a model, like Naomi Campbell. Only prettier, if that was even possible.

“Just one second.” She set the two beers on her tray and grabbed the ice scooper, tossing some ice into the martini glass to let it chill. “Yes. What can I get you?”

The model held up a menu, pointing at Rian’s name. “Is Rian actually here?” Her accent was French, maybe. Hard to tell over the noise.

“Yes. He'll be around soon so everyone can meet him. Did you get to try his food?”

Her red lips pressed together. “Not tonight, no.”

That was an odd way to answer. “Do you know him?”

“Yes. I'd hoped to see him. He's a hard man to track down. Do you know where he is? I had something important to discuss with him. I'm an old friend.” After a beat, she added, “It'sreallyimportant.”

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