Zeke shook his head. “I’m not that smart about women. I just know Maura well.”
“Because you love her.”
He had never really admitted it out loud to Conner. He was never sure exactly how Conner had felt about Zeke and Maura together.
“Yes, and even if I didn’t, I care about her and you. It’s been a tough few months for you and whether you like it or not, it has an effect on Maura.”
“You love her but you can’t be with her?”
He wanted to strangle the man. He was Zeke’s best friend but there were times he just wanted to slap him silly. He was making this about Zeke and not about Maura. He wasn’t even sure if Conner knew he did that.
“I couldn’t give her what she wanted.” Conner opened his mouth. “And I want you to leave it at that. It’s private and it’s between us. But that isn’t the point I was trying to make.”
Irritation was stamped all over Conner’s face. “What?”
“Your sister is stressed and you aren’t helping. You’re making it worse. I want you to back off.”
“And just what authority do you have to do that?”
“I’m your business partner and this does have to do with work. You never question anyone like you question her. You need to show some faith in her and her abilities. It’s causing problems at the office. And worse, it’s hurting her Conner. She doesn’t realize it, but it is.”
He sighed. “Jillian says I’m obtuse.”
“You are. You’re also an ass.”
Conner chuckled. “I’ll take her to lunch tomorrow, show her the offices.”
Zeke nodded. “I think that would be a great idea.”
“Now, do you have anything else you want to bitch about?”
“I hope not, because I’m ready to get back to work,” Jillian said from the doorway. “Did y’all make up?”
“Yeah. I’m going to take Maura to lunch tomorrow. Wanna come?”
She easily plopped down on Conner’s lap. It was good to see his friend so happy and relaxed. Well, relaxed for Conner.
“Naw. I think it should be a brother sister day.”
Their happiness was something he wanted. At one time, he had always thought it would be with one person…but now he wanted that fantasy to be real. He wanted Maura and he wanted Rory. Forever.
He pushed that thought aside and gathered up his work and shut down his computer. After slipping it in his briefcase, he looked at Conner. “I think we’re done here, then? I thought I would goof off a little bit since I am on Oahu.”
“Enjoy it while you can,” Jillian said, the double meaning not lost on him.
“I plan on it. Hell, I might find a way to enjoy it for much longer.”
She laughed.
“What are you two talking about?”
“Nothing, just joking. See ya’ later, Zeke.”
He laughed and headed out the door. Jillian was already nuzzling Conner’s neck and Zeke didn’t have to be told they would rather be left alone.
He was on his way back to the rental house when he made a promise to himself. He would do everything he could to make the relationship he had started here with Maura and Rory last.
If there was one thing the three of them deserved, it was to be happy.
Chapter Ten
Rory watched Maura walk out of yet another tent. She smiled at him as she walked in his direction. She was so damned cute. There was that word again—but she was. She looked years younger wearing a pair of board shorts and a University of Georgia T-shirt that had seen better days. He didn’t like the looks she had been getting since they arrived and that had bothered him even more. He had never been that possessive of a woman, even a sub. But, with those long legs and those tiny shorts, she was getting a lot of looks from men. It had been hard for him to allow her to walk into the tent by herself, but he’d started to avoid them because of the increasing number of shoppers. It had gotten so damned hot he thought he would pass out.
Inwardly he snorted. He hadn’t lived in Ireland in over ten years, but he still couldn’t stand heat for long. He did it for the job, but he definitely wouldn’t do it for shopping.
“So, you brought me here for what reason?” Rory asked amused.
She had another bag full of junk—he was pretty sure it was junk—and normally he would be irritated with doing something that was such a waste of time. But Rory couldn’t help but enjoy walking around the tent city that surrounded Aloha Stadium. Maura took such joy in the hunt for a bargain that he couldn’t really deny wanting to walk with her.
“To buy something Hawaiian. If you want to buy something to commemorate your trip, you come here. You have a few malassadas—”