Page 31 of My Irish Roommate

As I take in the scene playing out before me, I realize just how lucky I’ve been. My life is perfect, and I have Ricki to thank for that.

“How’s work, Rowan?” my father asks me.

“You didn’t tell him?” Ricki asks.

“I promoted Dillon to the position of gym manager. He takes care of the day-to-day operations, and I just go in once a week to balance the books and inspect his performance.

“So, what are you doing about your workouts?” My father seems shocked.

“I’ve taken up running and I’ve started converting one of the outbuildings into a home gym. I’m even considering installing a sauna. Feel free to come by and use it if you’d like.”

“I knew that moving to the country would make you a homebody,” my father says.

“It’s not the location, Pops. It’s the company,” I answer and kiss Ricki on the cheek.

Every day at the gym was like a trip to hell for me. I couldn’t focus on my work or my training. All I cared about was getting through the day and going home to my beautiful wife and children. Ricki suggested that I promote Dillon and I knew it would be hard for me to give someone else that much control over my business, but once the move was made, I knew instantly it was the right decision.

“I’ve been thinking about opening a second location. There’s a facility for sale in Malahide,” I continue.

“That’s the spirit, son. You’re becoming a real entrepreneur.”

Rylan rushes into the kitchen and puts his fists up. I play box with him, and he laughs as I dramatically leap to block his blows.

“Walking in his father’s footsteps, I see,” Emma says.

“No, this is just for fun. My kids aren’t going to spend their lives in the ring,” I tell her.

“Why not? Didn’t you find your career fulfilling?” she asks.

“I loved every minute of it, but these boys are smarter than me. They’re going to use their brains more than their brawn.”

“Well, they’re both going to be strong men. They favor you so much and Regan looks just like Ricki when she was her age. You two make lovely children,” Emma beams.

We sit down for dinner and the table is silent as the kids busy themselves making a mess with their food. Ricki sets her fork down and clears her throat, making us all look in her direction.

“Did you want to say something, baby?” I ask her.

“No, I’m sorry everyone. Keep eating,” she replies and picks up her fork.

Ricki dotes over the children while Emma chatters about the vacation she and Pops are planning. I never thought that I would be sitting at the head of the table watching my family interact. Even my father doubted that I would ever find a woman and settle down, but here we are six years later.

I look back at Ricki and see something in her face that doesn’t add up. She looks like she has something on her mind. I wonder what she wanted to tell us before she changed her mind.

After wine and dessert, the parents pack up and say their goodbyes to the children. I start to clear the table and notice that Ricki has barely touched her wine. She’s gone upstairs to bathe the kids and put them to bed, so I set her full wine glass on the counter.

With the dishes done, I head upstairs to read the kids their bedtime stories. Ricki kisses me and says, “I’ll see you downstairs.”

After just a few pages, the kids are out cold so I tuck them in and turn off the light. I’m anxious to know what Ricki has on her mind so I rush downstairs. I find her sitting on the back patio, but her wine glass is still on the counter where I left it. I pick it up and take it outside with me.

“Baby, are you okay?” I ask as I slide the door open.

“I’m great. Come sit with me,” she replies.

“I thought you wanted to tell us something during dinner then you just shut down.” I set her wine glass down beside her and add, “You didn’t even touch your wine. Are you feeling okay?”

She takes my hand and says, “I’m feeling great. I wanted to make an announcement at dinner but then I realized it wouldn’t be fair to you. You deserve to know before anyone else does.”

“Is there something wrong?” I ask.

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