Free Easy Virtue by Mia Asher Page A

Uncle, and she’s prettier too.”
    I grin. “See—smart boy.”
    “Jesus. How can I compete against that?”
    “You can’t,” I say, laughter embedded in my voice. “I’m Blaire by the way.”
    “Blaire,” he says, letting my name roll off his tongue. “It suits you. It’s very pretty.”
    “Thanks.”
    “So, Blaire … tell me, how is the dude in the tux?” he asks offhandedly, looking down at the ground as he runs his hand over his scruff. Though, by the way the muscles in his arms tense while he awaits my answer, I get the sense that he cares.
    “You like to get straight to the point, huh? He’s gone.”
    Ronan lifts his head to look me in the eye, all traces of laughter in his face replaced by something sincere, something tender. “Can’t say that I’m sorry to hear that.”
    I want to speak, but the way he’s watching me, almost as if he can truly see me, creates complete chaos within me, leaving me tongue-tied. His soft brown gaze wrecks every single thought of mine.
    Our eyes remain locked as a sweet smile crosses his lips before he speaks once more, only further messing with my head. Really, I’m so busy watching the way his full and oh so kissable lips move that I’ve completely missed whatever he said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that,” I say breathlessly. Why the fuck am I breathless?
    He lets his eyes roam over my face, pausing on my lips. “I thought I would never see you again.”
    “Uncle Ronan … I’m still hungry. Can I have a popsicle now?” Ollie interrupts. His words, like a hammer, break the thick brick of tension that surrounded us a moment ago. And I can’t say that I’m sorry for it.
    Sighing a breath of relief, I happen to glance at my watch, noticing the time. Shit! It’s past four, and I still have to go home and get ready for work.
    I stand and stretch my stiff legs after sitting for such a long time, noticing that the couple who was making out next to me are gone. Actually, the crowd is completely different from before, and the heat also feels less suffocating, less stifling. Funny how time seems to fly when you’re having a good time. After I pick up my almost forgotten shopping bag off the ground, I turn to look at Ollie and Ronan as I tuck a flyaway strand of hair behind my ear.
    “I’m really sorry but I have to go. I have an appointment in less than two hours, and I still need to catch a cab. It was great meeting you, Ollie and Uncle Ronan. ” I wink at Ronan.
    He smiles crookedly at me, shaking his head. “You have a thing for walking away from me, don’t you?”
    I bite my lip, as I recall that night. “And you have a thing for stalking, don’t you?”
    “Maybe I do … maybe I don’t. Maybe it’s destiny playing its hand.” He pauses, grinning cheekily at me. “Or maybe I just have a thing for nice scenery.”
    Laughing out loud, I whack his knee with my bag. “You’re bad.”
    “Uncle Ronan …”
    I chuckle when he interrupts us once again. I almost get the feeling he’s doing it on purpose.
    “Yes, Ollie ?” Ronan asks without breaking eye contact with me, amusement dancing in his eyes. That little boy is totally killing his game and he knows it, and if I may say so, quite successfully.
    “Can I ask you a question?” Ollie asks.
    “Sure.”
    I watch as Ollie pushes his little body closer to Ronan’s and whispers something in his ear. Ronan shakes his head and smiles at me but addresses Ollie. “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask her?”
    Ollie runs a hand through his long curls, making them look wilder than before. “I was wondering if you want to come to my birthday party tomorrow.”
    My heart skips a beat. I don’t do birthday parties. I hate them. As panic begins to rise inside me, I have to cough a couple times to find my voice. “Oh, no-no-no … ah … I don’t know … I can’t … I’d be intruding on a family event. I just couldn’t. Thanks for asking though, Ollie. That’s really sweet of you.”
    Ollie