Page 35 of Wicked Oath
“I remember those early days with Patrick,” Mom reminisces as she takes a sip of her wine. “So fun and exciting. He made me feel like the only woman in the world who mattered.”
“Does he still?” I ask.
Mom smiles indulgently behind her glass. “Absolutely.”
“Good.” Grandma gently smacks her thigh. “I raised my boy to be respectful of women. I like knowing he’s always done right by you, Siobhan.”
“Yeah,” I add, “it’s always made me happy to see you two so in love. I’ve taken inspiration from it. I hope James and I will have a long and happy marriage.”
“That’s the dream,” Grandma says.
“So, how different are things compared to before you were married?” I know Lucy’s eager for news seeing as she would love to be my brother’s wife.
“It’s just new to have a partner be there for you. I mean, James and I have only been married for a little over a week, so we're still learning things about each other. I’ll be honest. I would prefer for us to have more conversations, but he’s not the most open book.”
“So, you’re saying you just have sex?” Lucy practically squeals.
I shush her, glancing at Mom and Grandma. Mom just shrugs and takes a gulp of her wine while Grandma winks. “No, James and I talk, too. We don’tjusthave sex.”
Lucy giggles. “I can’t wait till I’m married and get to have sex.”
“Oh, honey,” Grandma says, “it’s not always as it’s cracked up to be. When you have the right man do it, sex can be magical. When the man has no clue what he’s doing, sex is utter shit.”
I gasp before laughing along with my mom, who’s flushed from her wine.
Lucy pouts. “So, how do you find the right man who knows what he’s doing?”
“You don’t. You can only hope to find him.”
Lucy pouts harder.
I lean over and squeeze her hand. “Hopefully, you’ll find that right man when you get married.”
“Yeah.” She crosses her arms. “Whenever my parents decide for me. They want me to make a good match, so they’re willing to wait until I’m old and shriveled up if it means marrying the right man.”
“You’re not going to be old and shriveled up by the time you’re married.”
“I hope not. Owen will be taken by then.”
I share a look with Grandma. “Lucy, I don’t even know when Owen will ever be ready for marriage, and …”
“And?”
“And he might not choose you, honey,” Grandma intervenes. “I’m sad to say.”
Lucy sits up straighter. “The key word there is ‘might.’ Hemightnot choose me, but there’s a chance he could.”
“A marriage between our families would be beneficial,” Mom murmurs. “I should bring it up to Patrick and see what he thinks.”
Lucy brightens visibly. “Oh, you would? That would be great!”
The front door squeaks open, and Owen appears in the living room doorway.
“Speak of the devil,” Grandma says softly to me. I smile at her.
“Owen,” Mom welcomes him. “What are you doing here?”
It takes me eyes a second to register that he looks frazzled. His hair is a mess, and his shirt is all wrinkled. He’s holding a thin file in his hands.
