The Player and the Pixie(56)

I tore my eyes from Sean and gathered a bracing inhale before answering my brother’s fiancée. “I did. I feel much better.”

“Well, you look much more refreshed.” She gave me a warm smile. “I wish we lived closer, and not just because I love hanging out with someone who enjoys drinking tea and eating pastries.”

“Me too.” I returned her smile, my heart swelling a bit with how happy I felt to have Annie in my life. She was perfect for Ronan, but she was also starting to feel like a true sister to me. “I wish I could help you more with the wedding.”

Annie’s grin widened and she glanced at the ceiling. “I think we both know it’s best just to let your mother have charge of it.”

“I hope she’s not driving you too crazy.”

Annie had been an absolute saint with my mother. They’d had a rocky start, but my mam had quickly changed her tune when it became widely known that Annie was a super-famous and universally adored celebrity blogger.

“No. She’s fine. We’ve been getting on pretty well, especially since I make sure Ronan calls her and takes her out for lunch once a week.”

I snorted. “She stopped making me go out to lunch with her when I started dying my hair.”

“I love your hair. And it’s so pretty down like that.” She ran her fingers through the ends in admiration and I shifted in my seat, feeling uncomfortable by Annie’s praise.

I decided to change the subject. “Did you get a chance to finish that article to go with the Carl-D pictures?”

“Carl-D?”

“Carly and Dean. My friend, Mackenzie, made up a nickname for them. You know, like Kimye or Brangelina.”

“Oh right.” She laughed and stroked her chin. “What do you think Ronan’s and my couple nickname would be? Ronnie?”

I chuckled loudly. “As in Corbett? No way. Annan sounds better. It’s sophisticated, like a brand of French perfume.”

She smiled wide. “Annan. I like it.”

“What are you two grinning about?” came Ronan’s voice as he approached. I glanced across the room to find the photographer had called for a break. Sean was standing just a few yards away, sipping an energy drink. I was suddenly reminded of those sexy Diet Coke ads . . .

“Celebrity nicknames,” Annie answered as Ronan bent down to kiss her on the cheek.

“Hey Lucy,” Sean called over, interrupting us. I looked at him again to see his body was twisted so both his head and his arse were facing me. “How does my butt look in these pants?”

I swear, in that moment every ounce of embarrassment I was capable of feeling hit me full force. Still, I managed to muster a snappy comeback. “A bit flat, actually.” It wasn’t flat. It was round and muscular and completely bite-worthy.

His eyes flared in challenge as he cocked his head to the side. “You think so? Why don’t you come over here and give it a squeeze? Maybe you’ll reconsider.”

Oh, he was going to die when I got my hands on him. He was seriously going to die.

I was lost for words when Ronan butted in. “Don’t talk to my sister, Cassidy. She’s far too intelligent to fall for your bullshit charm.”

Oh, Ronan, you have no idea.

Sean smiled with teeth, his eyes falling on me, then returning to Ronan. “You’d think that, wouldn’t you?”

Ronan stepped toward him. “Excuse me?”

I jumped up from my seat, grabbing Ronan’s arm and pulling him back. “When do you think the shoot will wrap up? I’m starving.”

My brother frowned down at me, not speaking for a moment.

“Oh God, me too,” Annie added. “I need a mountain of creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, stat.” She paused and then glanced between Ronan and Sean, an idea sparking behind her eyes. “Why don’t you join us, Sean?”

Ronan cast his fiancée a look of disbelief and both men spoke at the same time.

“He’s not joining us.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

“Good, it’s settled then,” said Annie, walking to Ronan and pulling him into a hug. He was tense, his posture strained, but then she began whispering something in his ear and the tension fell away.

Huh.

I glanced at Sean, who was wearing a giant shit-eating grin. Flaring my eyes meaningfully, I tried to communicate the order, make up an excuse not to come. Unfortunately, his returning expression said, Oh, I’m coming.

When Annie finally let go of Ronan. he turned to address Sean one last time. “You can come to dinner, but if I get even a hint of your usual bullshit I’ll kick you out of the restaurant so fast your head will spin.”