Lexi Perry doesn’t do anything halfway.
“I need some Irish nachos and some chili cheese fries,” Maeve, my older sister, announces as she walks into the kitchen. “And two bowls of stew.”
“We’ll be out of the stew within the hour,” Lexi informs her. “It’s going fast.”
“There should be another pot in the fridge,” Maeve says and hurries over to the walk-in. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you went through the backup stew already, too?”
“It’s been the favorite tonight,” I say with a nod. “I’d say we can take about six more orders for it, and then it’s done for the evening.”
“Wow. Okay, I’ll let Mary Margaret know.” Maeve’s eyes turn to Lexi. “I know we met when you arrived, but we haven’t had a chance to chat yet. I’d like to before the night is out.”
“I’ll be here all night,” Lexi says with a wink. “I need to grab more fries from the freezer.”
She wipes her hands on her apron as she hurries away, and Maeve turns her attention to me.
“I like her.”
I nod and fill a basket with hot wings. “She’s a likeable woman.”
“No, I like her. For you.”
I roll my eyes. “Stop matchmaking and get to work, Maeve.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing.”
Lexi comes back into the room before Maeve can keep asking annoying questions.
“I’ll be back for the nachos,” she says as she bustles out of the kitchen.
“So, I’ve met Keegan, Maggie, and Maeve.”
I nod and reach for another basket. “You have, yes. Kane and his wife, Anastasia, are supposed to come in later this evening.”
“Really?”
“They usually do on Saturday nights,” I say. “And then you’ll have met all of them.”
“Did you say your parents live in Ireland?”
“That’s right. They moved back there about six years ago or so when they retired. Keegan bought the pub, and Ma and Da went home to spend time with their siblings and to enjoy the homeland, as they put it.”
I grin at her as she sets a basket of fries in the hot grease.
“You should eat something,” I say.
“We’re too busy for that,” she replies. “I’ve taken bites here and there, don’t worry about me.”
But I do worry about her. More than I’ve a right to.
“Go ahead and dish up the rest of that stew,” Maggie says as she hurries into the kitchen. “And I need nachos, hold the onion. And a meat pie.”
“Got it,” I reply, already building the nachos. “Is it slowing down out there?”
“You wish,” she says with a laugh. “And now I know to make three pots of stew on the weekends. Keegan’s grinning like the Cheshire Cat out there as he counts his coins.”
“I think you just combined Alice in Wonderland and A Christmas Carol.” I finish dishing up the stew and set the bowls on a tray for my sister. “These are hot and heavy.”
“Everything around here is heavy,” Maggie says as she expertly carries the tray out of the kitchen.
“I couldn’t carry that,” Lexi says.
“You could with practice. Not that we’ll ask you to.”
“I waited tables in college,” she says, surprising me. “I never could get the hang of balancing plates and stuff. I wasn’t cut out for it.”
“Well, you’re an excellent sous chef,” I reply. “And I’m glad you’re here.”
“I brought cake,” Anastasia announces as she walks into the kitchen, my brother right behind her. “Lots of cake. I’m trying out some new flavors, so I need your opinions. Hi, you must be the new cook. I’m Stasia.”
“Actually, this is the author I’m working with,” I reply. “Lexi Perry, my brother Kane. And his wife, Stasia.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Lexi says.
“Why is Lexi filling orders?” Kane says as he reaches for a chip.
“I offered,” Lexi says. “Also, I just want to tell you that I’m a fan of your work. The vase in Shawn’s guest room is absolutely beautiful. I’ve seen a few of your exhibits, and I loved being in the museum last weekend. You’re incredibly talented. Of course, you know that.”
“And I always love hearing it,” my brother says. “Thank you. And I can say the same for you. I’ve read all of your books, and am looking forward to this movie being made.”
Lexi’s face pales. “You read my books?”
“I do, yes.”
“Now, I’m more nervous than before.”
“No need to be,” Anastasia says as she passes me a piece of pink cake. “He adores your stories. Here, have some strawberry mint cake.”
“Thanks.”
“She makes wedding and occasion cakes for a living,” I inform Lexi and stuff the rest of my cake into my mouth. “This one’s a winner.”
“Delicious,” Lexi agrees.
“Now try the lemon with blueberry compote filling.”
Lexi leans against the counter and chews the cake. “Oh my God, so good. I might move in with you just to eat cake all the time.”
“I’ll bring you whatever you want,” Stasia says with a happy smile. “Okay, I’m going to drink a beer and chat with Keegan. I’ll see you in a few.”
She hurries out, and Kane hangs back.
“What’s up?” I ask him.
He doesn’t say anything for a long moment, just looks back and forth between Lexi and me. Then, with a smirk, he turns and leaves the kitchen.
Damn matchmaking siblings.
Chapter 5
~Lexi~
“You did not.” I stare at Shawn in surprise as he smirks and sips his whiskey. “You seriously cut your sister’s hair off?”
“I mean, I was four years old,” he says with a shrug. “And she was barely two. It’s not like I cut it before school pictures or something.”
“Ma cried for days,” Maeve says, giggling into her glass. “Mary Margaret had the prettiest curls when she was a wee babe.”
“I still do,” Maggie points out.
“Yes, but you were her baby, and the last to have a first haircut. And Shawn went and snipped those baby locks right off your head. I thought Da was going to take a switch to him.”
The bar closed down thirty minutes ago, but the siblings all stayed to chat and drink. I get the impression that they used to do this often, but that they haven’t enjoyed each other like this in a long while.
It’s fun to witness.
“What’s something you did as a child to get into trouble, Lexi?” Keegan asks as he pours more whiskey into my glass.
“I set the school on fire.”
Shawn spits his drink out in surprise. “You what?”
“It was an accident,” I continue. “I didn’t know the Bunson burner was still hot.”
“Oh, I like you,” Maeve says, clinking her glass to mine. “We’re already friends.”