“It’s lovely too. There’s a large kitchen. And the previous owners put in this herb garden right outside. Though I'll need your help figuring out how not to kill everything,” Hannah says to Jenna.
Jenna laughs. "I'd be happy to help. Maybe we could plan a whole kitchen garden?"
"Really?" Hannah beams, and I have to look away from the pure joy radiating from her. "I'd love that. And there's plenty of space. The back yard is huge."
"What about decorating?" Lucy leans forward. "Have you started planning?"
"Ash said I could hire someone, but…" Hannah glances at me before continuing. "I'd rather do it myself. Make it feel like home, you know?"
Home. Again, the word hits me. This isn't supposed to be home. It's just another piece in our arrangement. But watching Hannah describe her vision for each room, I can almost see it. Warmth and life replacing the cold emptiness I've surrounded myself with for years.
"The master bedroom has this beautiful balcony," she continues. "I thought maybe some comfortable chairs out there, for reading or having morning coffee…"
My fork freezes halfway to my mouth. The image of Hannah curled up on that balcony, sunlight in her hair, coffee steam curling around her face, is too domestic. Too real. Too much like something I might want. Something I was supposed to have with Meghan. Only Meghan.
"You should join us for lunch sometime," Lucy offers. "There's this amazing café near the gallery district."
"I'd like that." Hannah's voice carries real warmth now, not the hesitant politeness from earlier.
Blaise reaches over and puts his hand over Jenna’s, his face shining with love for his new wife. "Jenna's been wanting someone to help with her herb garden. Says I have a black thumb."
"That's because you killed my basil," Jenna teases, squeezing his hand.
I watch Hannah fully assimilating into the family as conversation flows. Something inside me softens seeing her integrate so naturally with my family. She fits here, her brightness matching Lucy's enthusiasm and complementing Jenna's gentler nature. The way she holds her own inconversation with my brothers, never backing down but maintaining that innate warmth, it stirs feelings I'm not ready to examine.
"Your wife's delightful," Phoenix murmurs, too low for the others to hear. "Stop brooding and join the conversation."
I shoot him a dark look but can't deny how right he is about Hannah's charm. She's drawing everyone in, just like she keeps trying to do with me. The difference is, they're letting her.
I’m relieved when the meal is over and the ladies retreat to the living room while my brothers and I gather in Flint’s study. Phoenix helps himself to Flint’s whisky, pouring us each a glass.
"O'Donnell's getting cold feet," Phoenix says, settling into one of the leather chairs.
“What the fuck?” I gape at him. “Are you saying I’ve betrayed Meghan for nothing?”
Flint’s brow furrows, while Blaise’s rises at my outburst.
Phoenix simply shrugs, already used to my temperament around this marriage. “No. And I don’t mean to be an asshole, Ash, but you’re not betraying Meghan. She’s gone. And Hannah, you don’t have to love her, but Jesus fucking Christ, don’t be such a dick to her. She’s a nice kid.”
“Kid being the operative word. She’s eighteen. We were forced to marry for an alliance. An alliance that you’re saying O’Donnell is now reneging on?”
“He’s a pussy,” Blaise says.
I glare at him. “What did you just call me?”
Blaise rolls his eyes. “O’Donnell, not you, although Phoenix is right. You’re being an ass to Hannah.”
“Then one of you should have married her.” I really want to throw my glass. The frustration is pulsing hard in my veins.
“The Keans are still staying closed-lipped about Ronan’s death.” Phoenix apparently decides to move on to a different topic than my being a jerk.
“Of course. He needs to keep up the appearance that they’re as strong as ever,” Blaise says.
“Right, and I think that makes O’Donnell nervous. He’d hoped Blaise killing Ronan would have shown how vulnerable the Keans were, which would weaken support for them.” Phoenix sips his whisky, not looking as concerned as it seems like he should be.
“We just keep showing the families how weak Kean is. And we make sure O’Donnell doesn’t fuck us up.”
I down my whisky for courage. “Are you saying we threaten him? Threaten Hannah? Because I’m not doing that.”
