Wild Chance (Wilder Irish #13) - Mari Carr Page 0,45

making it perfectly clear he was just as oversexed.

Lochlan groaned. “You guys are going to have to take it easy on me with the sex talk. I’ve got a toddler going through a phase. Wyatt starts out in his bed every night, but by midnight, he’s crawling in between me and May. And you know my wife. May has now read every article in the world about ‘the family bed,’” Lochlan said, finger-quoting the last. “I’m starting to worry I won’t get laid again until Wyatt starts high school.”

They all laughed as Oliver leaned toward Lochlan, bumping his shoulder against his older cousin’s. “So I guess now is a bad time for me to say I’m in the same happy boat as Finn. Only better—honeymoon phase and all that.”

Oliver had been dating his girlfriend, Erin, for a year and a half, but over the holidays, their “couple” status shifted to “throuple” as they both fell head over heels for Oliver’s best friend, Gavin, as well. Oliver definitely had that “new car” smell when it came to his change in relationship status, his grin a permanent fixture on his face these days.

Lochlan narrowed his eyes. “Asshole,” he muttered good-naturedly. Then he turned his gaze back to Padraig. “I have to admit, I’m happy for you, cuz. Really happy.”

Padraig smiled at Lochlan’s heartfelt comment. He knew how much his family had worried about him over the past few years. He’d gone to a dark place after Mia died, and it had taken him a long time to find his way back. Emmy—and his family—had been his guides, and he was certain that without them, he’d still be trapped in the darkness.

“Thanks, Lochlan. I can’t believe how easily we’ve made the transition from just friends to a couple. Nothing has been hard work—everything’s coming so naturally. It’s like she was made for me. We’ve been alternating between her place and mine every night, and we’ve introduced Seamus to her cats. Luna hides under the bed whenever my crazy mutt is there, but I think she’ll warm up to him. Neville is completely indifferent, which seems to be that cat’s attitude about everything.”

“Wow. Introduction of pets. This is serious,” Lochlan said with a chuckle. “A regular blended family.”

Padraig took another swig of his Guinness. “I know you’re joking, but to be honest, that’s exactly what it feels like. I’ve been thinking it’s probably silly for Em and me to keep the two apartments when we’re together every night. I spent the morning debating with myself over which place we should keep. Mine is closer to the pub, but hers is a bit bigger.”

“Wait a minute,” Finn said, holding his hand up in a stop motion. “You’re thinking about moving in together?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t we?”

Oliver frowned. “Maybe because your relationship is all of two weeks old.”

Padraig rolled his eyes. “We’ve been dating two weeks, but we’ve been friends a lot longer. This isn’t a new relationship.”

Finn tilted his head. “Actually, it is. Weren’t you the guy who proclaimed on Christmas Eve that he wasn’t ready to date? You’ve only just turned the corner and jumped back into the dating scene. Why don’t you enjoy that for a little while before rushing to the next part?”

Padraig wasn’t sure what to make of his cousins attempting to slow down his relationship, but it was obvious from Lochlan and Oliver’s faces, they agreed with Finn.

He knew they were crazy about Emmy. And they’d all—at some point in the past year—tried to convince him to start dating again, so this advice seemed in direct contrast to everything they’d said before.

“I’m not sure it matters how fast or slow we go. I know how I feel about her. I’m all in—and I want it all. Marriage, babies, the whole shebang.”

The desire for children had appeared just that morning, when Fergus had texted the picture of Sophie in Aubrey’s arms. Padraig had shown it to Emmy, and as she oohed and ahhed over the tiny baby, Padraig had imagined it was her with their child in her arms. The second his mind conjured the image, he’d been unable to unsee it. He wanted to be a father, and he wanted Emmy to be the mother of his children, telling them the stories about her beloved rocks.

“Marriage?” Oliver said. At the same time Lochlan said, “Babies?”

“I’m thirty-four years old, guys. I know what I want, and I’m not getting any younger.”

“You say thirty-four like it’s ancient,” Finn said. “I can assure