Page 17 of Until Ireland

“Aww, it’s so precious when they’re young and in love,” Gareth said, fluttering his eyelashes. “You can practically see the hearts in his eyes.”

“Or he fucked all the frustration out of his system.” Wes shrugged.

“Again, politely eat shit,” I said. “It’s not like that.”

“Give us something, man,” Jax pleaded. “We don’t want the nitty-gritty, just the basics.”

“She’s got red hair,” Gareth said. “Mack met his match with her. From what Hunter said, she wiped the floor with this poor guy.”

She had, and I’d deserved it. I wouldn’t say as much though. They didn’t need to know how far I’d stuck my foot in my mouth. Ireland threw me off my game. I didn’t fall in love with her—I tripped down the side of a mountain, fell into a briar patch, and got covered by falling debris in love with her. Thinking about her made my chest ache. The way she used her clever tongue on me made my dick rock hard. She was everything I ever wanted rolled up in a tattooed package.

“Who’s Hunter?” Wes cocked a brow. “Competition?”

“Her brother,” I said, wincing slightly when I thought about what I said the night before. “Eldest brother, I believe. She has two more, Landon and Jackson.”

“You said something stupid didn’t you?” Jax snickered.

“Only if you mean talking to her brother like he owned the place not her. Or insinuating she had a boyfriend who was actually her other brother. Then yeah, I said some stupid shit.”

“Oh my God!” Wes cracked up. “This keeps getting better and better.”

I was glad they could laugh at my pain. “This is fucking stupid.”

“No, this is entertainment, buddy,” Gareth chuckled, wiping a tear from his eye before he continued eating.

“I hope all of your daughters end up with assholes like us,” I finally said.

“That’s not the threat you think it is,” Wes said, sobering. “They’ll be lucky to have men who will love them as much as we love their mothers. Congratulations, man.” He placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “So, when do we get to meet Ireland?”

“I haven’t given it much thought,” I muttered. “It’s been two days.” Plus, we weren’t officially anything yet—even though I was ready to make her mine. Them asking to meet her was putting the cart before the horse. Shit didn’t move at a lightning speed, even if I wished it would. “Soon, I hope.”

“You should invite her to Waverly’s birthday,” Gareth stated.

I should. Waverly, my youngest sister, was turning nineteen soon and had just started college in Nashville to become a Registered Nurse. Like Macey, my middle sister, she wanted to stick close to home so she could be with family on the weekends. “I think I will.” I scrubbed my chin. “Thanks for the advice.”

“Add it to my tab.” Gareth pushed his empty plate toward the middle of the table. “I swear, you have the best food here. My compliments to the chef.”

“Excuse me, sir?” Natalie, the newest hostess I’d hired approached the table with a guy who had red hair a shade darker than Ireland’s but the same hue of emerald eyes. “This gentleman said he had an appointment with you?”

“He does.” I glanced over at the crew. “Gentlemen, it’s been real. I’d say it’s been fun, but it hasn’t.” I stood then and held my hand out to Jackson Banks. “I’m Mack Redman. You must be Ireland’s brother, Jackson.”

The guy nodded as we turned away from the table. Behind us, I could hear the guys saying shit. What, I wasn’t sure, so I focused my attention on Ireland’s little brother. He wasn’t covered in grease like Hunter, Landon, or Ireland. He was clean cut, professional. He even wore his culinary school uniform. When he reached out his hand to shake mine, I caught a glimpse of a lips tattoo with a name and date under it along with the black gauge earrings in his ears. He sure as hell didn’t look like he belonged in a garage surrounded by tattooed gearheads, but being in the culinary uniform didn’t fit his image either.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Not sure why Ireland said to come in my uniform if I’m only picking up a recipe, yet here I am, looking like a dork,” Jackson said then cleared his throat.

I started for the kitchen, and Jackson kept up with me.

“I’m surprised as well.” I didn’t want this to be an awkward meeting. Casual would’ve been perfect, but I could also see Ireland pulling this kind of stunt with her brothers.They must be pranksters.“However, since you’re dressed for the occasion...” I pushed open the kitchen doors and stepped to the side. “Welcome to Flame’s main hub of operations.”

“Uh... Thanks?” Jackson’s brows furrowed. His gaze darted from counter to stove to tandoors. Most restaurant kitchens were cramped, so I liked the open layout of Flames. It gave the staff tons of room to work without stepping on each other’s toes. The ranges were against the back walls while the ovens faced the alley behind the business. I even had a stone oven specifically for making artisan pizzas for the lunch crowd. “It’s a nice place.”

I laughed. “Ireland wanted my recipe for the risotto. I told her she could have it on one condition.”

“What was the condition?” Jackson hedged. “You’re not some asshole who gets off on making women do your bidding are you?”

Protective. Good. Ireland deserved to have brothers who would always defend her, no matter what. “No. I wanted you to come by. I have an offer for you.”

“I’m not... gay, man.” Still perplexed, Jackson stepped farther into the kitchen to have a better look around.

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