Page 51 of Under Pressure

“I invited her,” Gramps growled as he tugged Sean’s shirt into place. “She’s my girl.”

Sean’s heart cracked. Grandpa just lost Grandma and now he’d done all this party stuff for Mom. Blue always had a special place in his heart and that place was as soft as his cream puffs.

“Hey, Sean,” Blue said.

Sean and Gramps looked Blue’s way. Sean’s family parted like the Red Sea or a pink sea of balloons. Mom stood her ground, her arm around Blue as if she’d found her long-lost daughter. Stupid Ken didn’t let go of her either and she was lovingly sandwiched between them while Sean stood with an emotional brick who’d just as soon smack him in the back of the head as lovingly encourage him to be the bigger man.

“Hey, Blue.” He’d just seen her a few days ago, but it felt like years as her beauty washed over him anew. He could spend hours memorizing the curve of her bottom lip.

The fiancé sniggered. “You all right there, mate?” He had a thick accent. Australian. Crap. That was only the sexiest accent in the world. What a jerk.

Blue’s face went beet red as Ken’s grip on her hip tightened.

Sean squared his shoulders. “Dropped the popcorn.” He stepped forward and offered his hand—the guy had a decent grip. Sean hated that. “Good to meet you.”

“Right, sorry,” Blue said. “Everyone, this is Jonah, my fiancé. Jonah, this is my friend Sean, and his family.” She introduced everyone. Including Rosa and Polly who were staring at Jonah like he was made of coconut ice cream on a hot day. And they weren’t the only ones. Mom had stars in her eyes and Katedarted a glance at him from under lowered lashes and then blinked, put up her guard, and turned her full attention to Axel.

Jonah shook his hand out after he shook Axel’s, Johnny’s, and then Dad’s hands. “You men have good grips.” His hand was red, which made Sean feel slightly better about his brothers. The ladies may be taken by a pretty face and a lover’s accent, but his bros would stand with him.

What had Grandpa been thinking inviting her here? Of course she’d bring her fiancé, and of course the men in his family would want to trample the guy for Sean’s sake. The men in his family weren’t exactly known for playing it cool. God bless them for their loyalty.

“I just love your accent,” Mom said. “Where are you from?”

“Thank you, I’m from Sydney,” he said, and his baby freaking blue eyes were piercing. “I love your accent too.”

Mom blushed.

Jonah glanced from Mom to Kate to Polly and Rosa, then Dad and Axel. “I don’t know how you gents get anything done around here with all these pretty sheilas to distract you.”

Mom winked at Blue. “You picked a good one.”

In a move that was all Clayton, Axel pulled Kate back against his chest and wrapped an arm around her, and Dad looped an arm around Mom’s shoulder. Johnny chuckled under his breath. At least someone was amused. If it really came down to it, Johnny would always have his back, but when there was a good chance for some light humiliation, he’d sit back and let this situation play out.

“Though, I could say the same for you blokes.” Jonah made a sweeping gesture around the room, then glanced down at Blue. “What do they put in the water here?”

“Told you.” Blue grinned up at him. “They’re all like that.” She waved a hand indicating Sean’s family.

“Such handsome boys,” Rosa agreed.

Polly nodded as well.

“Good genes,” Gramps said.

Dad dropped his arm from Mom’s shoulder, smiling, clearly flattered by both Jonah and Grandpa’s comment; though Grandpa didn’t mean to compliment him.

“That’s for sure,” Jonah agreed.

For the first time since arriving, Jonah took a good look at Axel.

“Three, two, one” Sean counted under his breath.

“Wait, you’retheAxel.” Jonah’s mouth went slack. “Axel Clayton from The Venturists.”

Axel narrowed his eyes just a fraction.

“I went to your concert in Melbourne four years ago.” Jonah spread a hand out. “Best concert I’ve ever been to. Hands down. Even all these years later.”

“And he likes concerts,” Blue added.

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