Rogue Devil (The Rourkes #11) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,35

neck. “I say we make an offer contingent on inspection. Any objections?”

I look around the table. No one seems to object. In fact, Beast is eying his second slice of pizza hungrily.

“Let’s go for it,” I say.

“I’m in,” Sean says through the phone.

My brothers lean toward the phone in a chorus of agreement, letting Sean know where we’re at.

“Later,” Sean says and disconnects.

Everyone goes back to eating.

“Hey, Bren, did ya scrounge up a date for my wedding?” Jack asks. “Riley needs the final head count.” His wedding is three weeks away.

“Nah. You bring a woman to a wedding and she gets the wrong idea.”

“Sure?” Jack asks. “We just put Beast here in for a plus one. He invited a girl he met at the music festival this weekend. Major pickup scene.”

I arch my brows at Beast.

He shrugs one shoulder. “We hit it off.”

Jack takes a long drink of water and points the bottle at me. “You’re the only one of us going solo. Maybe I could find someone for you so you don’t stick out like a sore thumb when the rest of us are dancing. Can’t have you being a wallflower.”

My mind flashes to Chloe and her ridiculous dance. And my dance that made her beet red when she realized I was teasing about her solo orgasmic night.

Beast speaks around a mouthful of pizza. “Tara has a best friend who might be willing to go with you.”

“Who’s Tara?” I ask.

“The girl from this weekend,” Beast says. “My date.”

“Aren’t you worried she’ll think it’s serious taking her to a wedding?”

“Nope. It’s just a date with free food and dancing. She loves dancing.” He turns to Jack. “No offense. I’m just talking about her perspective. Of course I know it’s a major event.”

Jack laughs. “No offense taken.” He turns to me, his blue eyes dancing with undisguised glee. Uh-oh. Jack is king of the pranksters. This can’t be good.

I gulp. “Whatever you’re thinking, no.”

Jack holds up a palm. “Hear me out. Mom was telling me—”

“No.”

“About a—” he finger quotes “—‘nice young woman from church’—”

“Hell no.”

Jack goes on unfazed. “She just moved to town. Mom wanted me to introduce her around. I’ll introduce her to you.” He pulls out his phone. “Lemme text Mom right now.”

I lunge for his phone, but he leans back out of reach, smiling widely. My brothers chuckle. Okay, chill. Maybe this is just a prank and he’s texting his fiancée only pretending to set me up through our mother. Never underestimate how far Jack will go for a prank. He once spent an entire month carefully trimming the shoelaces of my sneakers on a daily basis until I couldn’t tie them. It was so subtle I didn’t realize it until the very end. Then I stole his sneakers since we’re the same size.

My phone chimes, and I pick it up gingerly. Like it’s a lethal cobra about to strike. I tense. No-o-o.

Mom: Brendan, this is wonderful. Her name is Faith. I just know she’ll enjoy the wedding at that beautiful church. She’s a nice Catholic girl. Okay, now how do I instant flash the contact to you?

No way I’m helping her with that.

Me: It’s complicated. I’ll have to show you in person later.

Like never.

She accidentally texts a picture of my dad sitting at a restaurant. Then I get a GIF of Snoopy dancing and a series of emojis—surprise face, laughing face, and a heart.

I glare at Jack before typing a quick reply. Jack was just messing with me. I don’t need her number.

Faith’s number and email finally comes through.

Mom: Did you get it?

Me: Yeah, but I’m not calling her.

Mom: Bren, it’s time you find a nice girl. Faith is wonderful. She’s a kindergarten teacher, which means she can put up with the likes of you. Ha-ha. She adds three sunglasses emojis.

I grind my teeth.

Mom: I’ll have her over for dinner next Sunday. No pressure. Just meet her, okay?

“How’s it going?” Jack asks enthusiastically.

I shoot him the middle finger. The day I date a woman my mother picks out for me is the day hell freezes over. Never surrender!

Me: I already have a date for the wedding.

Mom: You do? Well, what was Jack talking about, then? He said you were the only one without a date.

Me: Yanking my chain as usual. He thinks I made her up and had to take matters into his own hands.

Mom: I just don’t understand the way he thinks. Well, I can’t wait to meet her! Love you.

The tips of my ears burn