Page 57 of Vinny

The two women on either side of him looked back and forth between the gorgeous man and the woman they recognized from the performance. Understanding flashed through the eyes of one and she pulled her less intuitive friend along with her.

“Princess,” he said softly. “I’m sorry?—”

She face-planted into his chest, no longer feeling brave. When she saw the women approach him, she feltjealousy and the innate desire to stake her claim. But after the words came out of her mouth, she felt nervous. Shaky. Unsure.

“Babe,” he murmured against her hair. Her only response was to shake her head against his chest. He lifted his head, catching the gaze of Gabe, making a motion toward her harp still sitting at the table. Gabe nodded and pulled Jennifer back into his lap, keeping an eye on the instrument.

Taking his fingers and lifting Annalissa’s chin, he confessed, “I can’t change my fucked-up past and I’m so sorry about that, but you gotta know you’re it for me.”

She peeredup into his eyes, searching for truth…and finding it. A small smile curved the corners of her mouth as she accepted his apology and his promise. “Let’s go home,” she whispered against his lips as he lowered his mouth to hers.

His answer was his kiss. Deep, hard, wet. And a very public branding of who she belonged to and who he had now given himself to. The hoots around them broke them apart, grinning as they made their way back to the table. He leaned down to grab Easnadh’s case with one hand with the other arm around her. Winking at Gabe and Tony as Annalissa hugged Jennifer and Sherrie, they all headed out into the night.

19

Annalissa dreaded the trip the next day to meet Vinny’s parents, until they pulled up outside the quaint stone building near the riverfront just outside of town and saw Gabe’s truck parked outside.

“I didn’t know they were going to be here!” she exclaimed, relief evident on her face.

“I wasn’t sure either,” Vinny stated, “But this’ll put mom in a happy coma.”

“A happy coma?”

“You know. Her two sons showing up at the same time, now both with women. Jesus, it may actually kill her with happiness.”

She giggled, but felt her nerves return as soon as he helped her down from the truck. She smoothed her long, navy, jersey dress and tucked her hair behind her ears.

“You look gorgeous, baby,” he whispered as he ushered her into the pub.

Her eyes had to adjust to the dimness of the insidesof the building, but as she looked around, she was enchanted. A stone fireplace was in a gathering place to the left, with old, comfortable sofas surrounding it. She could smell the slight smokey scent of the fireplace that gave the pub a homey scent. Along the right wall was a long, polished bar with mismatched stools lining it. In the corner was a dart board with achalkboard to the side for keeping tallies. Toward the back were empty tables and booths, awaiting the lunch regulars.

“Vincent,” boomed a voice from the back. A large, muscular man headed toward them wearing jeans and aMalloy’s Pubt-shirt. A Celtic tattoo on his bicep peeked from the t-shirt, matching the one she knew so intimately on Vinny.I would know this man anywhere—he looks like an older version of Vinny and Gabe.The man bear-hugged first Vinny and then turned to her.

“Maeve, get out here woman,” he shouted with a smile.

A beautiful, petite, dark-haired woman came out of the kitchen as well, wiping her hands on her apron. Jennifer followed closely behind, next to a young boy.

After hugging Vinny, his mother turned to Annalissa as Vinny made the introductions. Placing his arm around her, he turned back to his parents. “Mom, dad. I’d like you to meet Annalissa O’Brian. Annalissa, I’d like you to meet Patrick and Maeve Malloy.”

Maeve stepped in front of her and took both of her hands in hers. “Oh, my darling girl. You’re absolutely beautiful and you’ve no idea how happy this makes me.”

Annalissa noticed tears in Maeve’s eyes as she was pulled into another hug.

“Thank you for loving my son. I’ve prayed so long that he would find someone,” Maeve whispered.

“Don’t mind my Maeve,” Patrick said, putting his hands on his wife’s shoulders. “She cries when she’s happy.”

Patrick stepped up to Annalissa and she had to lean way back to look into his cheerful face. “Good to have you here, darling. Maeve and I’ve heard a lot about you and are tickled to finally meet the woman that tamed one of my boys.”

Jennifer giggled before accusing her in-laws of saying the exact same thing when she met them last year. The young boy ran over to fist-bump Vinny.

“This is my brother, Ross,” Jennifer introduced. “He and Vinny are great friends.”

“Hey buddy,” Vinny greeted. “I’d like you to meet Annalissa.”

Gabe walked through the back carrying a tray of beers on tap. “Let’s celebrate,” he called out.

Maeve and Patrick had their servers bring out platters of fish and chips and the rowdy group settled in to eat. Patrick regaled the women with tales of Vinny and Gabe growing up on the river and the shenanigans they used to get into. Maeve beamed at the gathering and Annalissa felt her eyes on her several times.

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