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I chuckle. “How about I take ye out to dinner? I’d be happy to answer all ya questions. We can go wherever ya like.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“I thought you were tired and wanted to lie down and rest.”

“Girl, hush.”

I smile. “How about ya go to yer room for that nap, I’ll make us reservations and when we’re all freshened up, we can head out. It will give me time to head back up to hand my nephew his envelope and give my excuses.”

“Oh, I don’t want to take you away from your family. Maybe Danny is right, and we can do this some other time. At least now I know you exist.”

“It’s no problem. The wedding is over. Everyone will be heading their own way soon.” I palm Danika’s forehead and tilt her head back, then dip in to peck her lips. “I’ve been missing yer daughter something terrible while I’ve been away.”

“So he’s why you’ve been in a funk. Why didn’t you just tell me that?”

“Oh. My. God. I have to be dreaming. Someone wake me up from this nightmare,” Danika huffs.

“How does an hour from now sound? I’ll meet ye here.”

“We’ll be here,” her mother chirps.

* * *

Dean

My face ison fire as we walk into our suite, my mom continuing to gush over Ronan and that kiss. I was so taken off guard by seeing him I had forgotten all about my mom and where we were. Not to mention that kiss was hot, passionate, and possessive.

I’ve missed him too, but damn. My panties definitely need to be changed. He looked so good in his suit with his tie hanging loose.

I wanted to drag him back to my room so we could finish what he started. Hearing him tell my mother he’s my man did something to me. He’s told me that he’s my man before, but it’s the way he said it to my mom, with so much confidence and a hint of something new I can’t put my finger on.

I had been in shock over the entire situation, but still, I can’t deny my belly filled with butterflies and was doing all kinds of cartwheels and somersaults.

“What I don’t get is why you wouldn’t tell me about him. He looks like he’s in love with you and here I’ve never heard his name before.”

“You only have an hour for that nap,” I sing as I flop down on the couch and cover my face with my hands.

Instead of heading into her bedroom to take said nap, she comes to sit next to me and places her hand on my knee. I look at her through my fingers and groan. Can’t she give me a moment to process what’s going on?

“What’s really going on, Danika? Is it because he’s white? You do know I was joking.

“You have to have a sense of humor and thick skin around us. If he couldn’t take that joke, he’s not going to last around me,” she says gently.

“No, Mom, I doubt that offended him at all. I’ve heard his family say worse to him. They are a comical bunch and love to tease. Trust me, he has thick skin.”

She pops me upside the back of my head. I stare back at her with wide eyes in disbelief. She frowns and folds her arms across her chest.

“What the heck was that for?”

“You have met his family, but I knew nothing about him,” she hisses.

“He’s Kaye’s fiancé’s uncle. I met him in Ireland while I was there. I only met his family because they were around during my stay and at Felix’s brother’s wedding.” I pout.

She pops me again, this time in the arm with the back of her hand. I ball my fists and bite my lip to keep from allowing my reflexes to take over. Her features darken as she glares at me. I swear, she looks so much like her brother in this moment.

“Don’t be looking like your ass gonna buck at me. I’ll slap the taste out your mouth. Ireland?

“You left here for Ireland almost a year and a half ago. How long have you been dating that man?”