Easy Kisses (The Boudreaux Series Book 4) - Kristen Proby Page 0,44
life.”
“I’d love to see it,” Simon says.
“Come back with us after dinner,” Declan says with a smile. Declan is my youngest brother, and the most laid-back of the three. “I’m playing tonight.”
“Charly has told me about your talent,” Simon replies. “I’d love to hear you.”
“Perfect.” Callie smiles. “How long are you in town for, Simon?”
“I have about four days left,” he replies and my stomach falls just a bit. The thought of him leaving again makes me sad. I don’t want him to go, and yet, I knew from the beginning that he wasn’t going to stay forever. He never lied to me.
“Charly told us about your retreat after she got home,” Declan says and takes a sip of his beer. “It sounds like what you do is pretty intense.”
“It can be,” Simon says with a nod. “Some of the days are more lighthearted, but yes, a good portion of it is intense. My clients are learning to trust themselves.”
I hadn’t thought of it like that, but he’s right. When you boil it down to the heart of it all, it’s about trust.
“That’s a good way to describe it,” I say with a nod. “I like that. I’ve already talked Savannah into going.”
“Good.” Declan covers my hand with his and gives it a squeeze. “If anyone needs to learn to trust themselves, it’s our Van.”
Savannah is Declan’s twin sister. I’ve often been jealous of their bond over the years, but I realize now that it’s not something either of them has control over. They’re not choosing each other over the rest of us, they simply have a connection that we don’t have.
And it’s really quite beautiful.
“I’d like to meet Savannah,” Simon replies. “I’ve heard a lot about her.”
“She’s so great,” Callie says with a wink. “She’ll keep you on your toes.”
“I’m beginning to learn that the whole family is a force to be reckoned with.” Simon laughs and finishes his drink. We finished eating long ago. The bill has been paid. We’ve just been chatting for the last half hour.
“Should we head over?” I ask.
“Yeah, I need to set up and Callie will want to make sure the place hasn’t burned down.” He turns to Simon. “She’s a bit of a workaholic.”
“Takes one to know one,” Callie replies and kisses her husband on the cheek. “And you get me, so it works.”
“Oh, I get you, all right.” He kisses her lips and his hand is traveling up her side, and I immediately put the brakes on that spectacle.
“Okay, we get it.” I cover my eyes. “Y’all have sex. You don’t have to rub it in my face.”
“What are you, nine?” Declan asks with a laugh as we stand and leave the restaurant.
“No, I’m your sister. There’s no need to get gross in front of me.”
“Being affectionate with my wife is not gross.”
“That’s your opinion, pal.”
It’s a beautiful evening. There’s not a cloud in the sky as we walk the block or so back to The Odyssey.
“This is beautiful,” Simon says we walk inside. “You’ve recently renovated.”
“Right after I took over,” Callie says with a nod, looking over her handiwork. “Everything is new except the bar. It was in good shape, and quite old even when my dad bought it.”
“This is my kind of pub,” Simon replies and he and I take a seat at the bar while Declan goes to get ready for his set. Callie walks behind the bar and begins helping her partner, Adam.
“Simon, this is Adam. He co-owns the place with me.”
“Pleasure,” Simon says and reaches over the bar to shake Adam’s hand.
“Good to meet you,” Adam says and waves hello to me. “And this gorgeous woman is my girlfriend, Sarah.”
“Oh good! I finally get to meet you! I’ve heard all about you,” I say and lean over to hug the pretty woman to my right. I was so excited, and surprised, to hear that Adam found someone.
“It’s great to meet you, too. Hi, Simon.”
“You’re meeting a lot of people tonight,” Callie says with a laugh to Simon. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m perfectly fine,” he says and takes my hand in his. He kisses my knuckles and Callie’s eyes find mine. She winks at me and nods, and I know that I have her approval.
For reasons I’m not entirely sure of, that makes me very happy.
“Well, slap my ass and call me Sally! Here come some more,” Callie says with a laugh. I spin around and find Gabby and Savannah walking to us, all decked out