3 Seconds (Time for Love Book 6) by Bethany Lopez

sunglasses, and flip-flops,
he looked like a surfer instead of the rocker/chef that he was. His
skin tanned quickly and gave him a nice golden glow, which only
made his already killer body look that much better. That, coupled
with his long hair and presently laid back attitude, made him
nearly irresistible to me.
    He really was
the whole package.
    Brendan had
introduced me to the few people who were already here when we’d
arrived. Shelly and her husband, who’s name I couldn’t remember,
were a very sweet couple, but were busy trying to chase around
their toddlers. Gaby, a baker!, was in the kitchen helping Victoria
with the food, while her husband was pushing their little girl on
the new swing set in the backyard. I’d offered to help them in the
kitchen, which was really the only place that made me feel
comfortable, especially in a strange place, but they’d insisted
that I grab a margarita and mingle. Once outside, I’d feigned
exhaustion from a late night working at the pub, and had settled
into my seat, ushering Brendan off to go help greet the other
guests who were arriving.
    I’d managed to
watch the goings on from my safe spot for about thirty minutes, and
was beginning to feel guilty. Brendan hadn’t brought me along to be
a wallflower, and everyone looked really nice, but I couldn’t deny
that being the oldest one at the party was making me feel a little
uncomfortable.
    “Hi,” a voice
said from next to me, causing me to look up, startled. “I noticed
you sitting alone and thought you might like a refill.” The girl
was young and cute, with short spiky hair and a friendly smile.
    She was holding
out a fresh margarita, so I took it from her and said, “Thanks, I
appreciate that.”
    I gestured for
her to sit down and join me. Her tank top featured a rock band and
her skirt slid up precariously as she sat.
    “I’m
Bronagh.”
    “Abby,” she
said, then pointed out to our stunning hostess. “Victoria’s
sister.”
     
    “It’s nice to
meet you, Abby; thanks for the drink.”
    “Sure,” she
replied, taking a healthy sip from her own glass.
    “What do you
do, Abby?” I asked, then grimaced. “Sorry, force of habit.”
    “That’s okay,”
she replied with a shrug. “I’m still trying to figure it all out.
Currently, I’m a waitress.”
    “You any good?”
I asked, my business hat going on without a thought.
    Abby eyed me
and said, “I haven’t gotten any complaints, and I get really good
tips.”
    “I own a pub,
Callaghan’s, and I’m always looking for good servers. If you’re
ever in need of a change, let me know.”
    Abby’s
pixie-like face bloomed, and she said, “I love that place! Thanks,
Bronagh, that’s really sweet. You know, I don’t always come to
these things, but I’m glad I decided to come today.”
    “Why wouldn’t
you? It seems like a great group.”
    “Well, you see
him? The smokin’ hot one with the dreamy face and longish hair?”
Warily, I followed her finger, knowing whom I was going to find.
“We used to hook up … Then his brother married my sister, and
sometimes it feels awkward, you know?”
    I let out a
long sigh when Brendan felt our stares and looked up. I couldn’t
see his eyes, but it looked like his lips turned down when he
realized who I was talking to. He said something to the guys, then
turned and began walking in our direction.
    “Man … he’s
hot,” Abby said under her breath next to me, and I had to agree
with the much-younger woman, he really was.
    “Hey, Abby,”
Brendan said in greeting when he stopped in front of us. “I see
you’ve met my girlfriend, Bronagh.”
    I could sense
her confusion at his introduction, and I felt bad for not saying
anything, but there really hadn’t been time; I’d been taken aback
by her statement. I had no idea that I’d be running into someone
from his past at a family gathering.
    “Your
girlfriend?” she asked, standing suddenly and looking down at me in
confusion. Flustered she muttered,