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Tessa appeared from the back garden, where she’d been supervising Buster. Her eyes compassionate, she hugged her hello before taking a seat next to Archer at the table. Erin could see how torn her sister-in-law was. She had known the truth about how Erin felt about Jay and kept it to herself, knowing that it wasn’t yet any of her husband’s business. But she also loved Archer and could see that he felt betrayed by his friend and agent. It put her in a tough spot. Who would mild-mannered and fair Tessa side with when they all finally began talking?
Still no Jay. She understood, and she didn’t blame him, but still, she’d have really liked to see him.
Betsy set down the last breakfast dish and then everyone was seated at the table, still in stony silence. Erin avoided everyone’s eye but Mila’s. Faced with their judgmental looks, her mouth would run away with her and she’d say something she’d regret. It soon became clear to her brothers that Betsy was also expecting Jay to turn up.
Damien’s lightning bolt struck first. “I see Jay Malone isn’t man enough to show up this morning. Why doesn’t that surprise me?” He paused, looking around the table, and then narrowed in on Erin, as though the words wouldn’t stay inside any longer, “I cannot believe you let him take advantage of you like that. Haven’t we taught you any better? We know what he’s like. We’ve all been to Vegas together.”
All the boys nodded solemnly, glancing anywhere but at their mom.
Mila snorted. “And you’re all a bunch of choirboys. I guess you four never got into any trouble on your boy trips, hm? Only Jay?”
“That’s different,” Damien said. “Besides, this isn’t about you. This is about Erin.” He got to his feet to face her now. “There’s no way you can keep seeing him.” All her brothers nodded like a bunch of puppets being pulled on the same string. “No way. And furthermore—”
For once in her life, Erin wasn’t going to sit there meekly and take it. She jumped to her feet and leaned forward, getting right into Damien’s face. “No. You listen, Damien. Shut up and back off. Right now.”
He was so startled that after a stunned second, he sat down, his mouth gaping open.
Now that she was standing, she might as well go on. It took all her courage, but she wasn’t about to let them know that. In the steeliest voice she possessed, she looked each of her brothers in the eye and said, “Now, all of you listen to me. I know you care about me and you’re doing this out of love. That’s the only reason I showed up today. My relationship with Jay Malone ismy business. I’m an adult. Not a little girl you need to protect. Not anymore.” She looked at Archer now. “Nobody’s firing Jay because he’s with me. Are we clear?”
Everyone was so shocked by meek Erin’s outburst that they didn’t have a single word to say. Erin sat down, inwardly delighted with herself and her little speech. With the argument concluded, she said to her dad, “Could you please pass the eggs?”
He obliged with a small smile, and she realized that while he might not wholly approve of the match, he was proud of her for finally sticking up for herself.
Then, before the silence grew too deafening, Betsy said, “I read your front-page article in theSea Shellthis morning, Erin.It’s great to know that the shelter’s going to be saved. And what a beautiful gesture from whoever donated that million dollars.”
Her dad, who always liked to be in the know in the community, asked, “Do you have any inside information? Do you by chance know who it is?”
She huffed. “Even if I did know, I wouldn’t tell this family.Someof you don’t respect my secrets or my privacy.”
No one rose to the bait. Instead, her brothers became intently focused on buttering their toast or adding milk to their coffee.
At that moment, the doorbell rang and Betsy excused herself to answer it. Erin hoped beyond hope that it was Jay and not some random delivery. When Jay did enter the kitchen a few steps behind her mom, Erin thought her heart might burst from her chest. She’d never been so happy to see anyone in her life. She would have understood if he hadn’t showed up, but she was proud of him for facing down her brothers and being here for her.
The minute they saw him, her brothers jumped to their feet. Four pairs of meaty hands formed into tight fists and they looked ready to take him out back and pound the stuffing out of him.
Jay couldn’t have missed the aggressive stances, but he only had eyes for Betsy. “I’m so sorry I’m late. But thanks for inviting me for breakfast. I’ll do the dishes to make up for my tardiness.”
She slipped an arm around him easily. “Nonsense. I’m just glad you could make it.”
“If you’ve finished hugging our mother, you’ve got some explaining to do.” Archer didn’t get angry often, but he sure was now, his tone ice-cold. “I told you to stay away from Erin. I warned you. You’ve got a hell of a lot more than being late to make up for.”
Looking straight at Archer, Jay said, “I know, and I’m sorry. But you see—”
Why should Jay have to apologize or explain himself to her brothers? Bristling with outrage, Erin interrupted Jay’s unnecessary apology. “Did I not make myself clear? My love life isnone of your business. And if you don’t like it, frankly, I don’t care. You can take your opinions and shove them.”
Mila said, “I agree. And I like the new you, sis.”
Though Erin appreciated her sister’s support, she said, “It’s not new. I’ve always thought these things, I’ve just never felt the need to say them until now.”
Mila gave two thumbs up as she nodded. “Tons of respect. Tons.”
Erin caught Tessa’s eye and then smiled as she saw her sister-in-law mirror Mila’s two thumbs up.
Jay was about to take a seat next to Erin when Finn said, “If you ever make her cry, this is what we’ll do to you.” He broke a piece of toast into little pieces with his big hands.
“If you ever cheat on her, your life will be over.” Damien brought his fist down on a croissant, flattening it.
Arch wasn’t about to be left out. “You so much as look at a lingerie catalog—” With a knife, he sliced a grape in half.