Chapter Thirty-Seven
Carina
Josh was lucky that every last second of her time was being consumed with the preparations for her father’s birthday party. Because if Carina had found a moment to herself she would have marched over to him and demanded that he leave, even if he was in the middle of helping her brothers put up a tent, or popping open tables, or carrying endless trays of food in from Brennan’s van.
No one seemed to find it odd that this man had just shown up and agreed to work like a dog for several hours to help prepare for a party he hadn’t been invited to. Even her brothers didn’t razz her. They had ignored her for the most part while they kept Josh busy. It was only when the guests arrived did the questions arise. Her aunts and cousins were eager to know who the handsome non-family member was. Her mother had taken it upon herself to introduce him to everyone she could as Carina’s friend, which of course only piqued their interest.
Carina was carrying empty dinner trays of what were once filled with shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, manicotti, chicken Marsala, and eggplant parmesan out into the kitchen, when Jake came out of nowhere and stood in her path. “Care to explain to your favorite brother why he spent the majority of his afternoon working with a man who he didn’t know existed until today?”
“Absolutely. When I see Gabe, I’ll be sure to tell him,” she said. Carina tried to stare him down, but she broke out into a fit of giggles.
He picked her up and twirled her around, empty trays and all. “You’re such a brat,” he admonished, setting her down.
Her head was still spinning when she said, “It’s complicated, Jake. I wouldn’t know where to begin, anyway.” Gone was the playful tone and sarcasm.
Jake tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I think by now you know I’m pretty familiar with complicated. You can tell me anything.” His lighthearted tone had not returned. She and Jake had never openly talked about Morgan, but somehow they both knew that Carina was aware that something existed between them, even now after all these years. For her brother’s sake, maybe it was for the best that Morgan was unable to get away from work and the craziness she was dealing with in Boston to come tonight.
Carina set the trays down, hopped up onto the island and wrapped her arms around his neck. She always felt small, but protected in his embrace. To the world he was known as the quarterback with a killer arm and stats to make every opposing coach fear him, but to Carina he was just her kind-hearted brother who would do anything for her. “Yeah, I know. I’m just not there yet.” She gave him a peck on the cheek. “Thank you, though.”
Jake lifted her off the island and put her firmly on her feet. Carina could hear the band warming up outside. Luke’s connections came in handy sometimes. As the owner of a winery that hosted weddings he had a number of bands at his fingertips. The winery also provided them with all the tables, chairs, and tents that they needed for this evening.
“You singing tonight?” she asked, trying to lighten the conversation.
“Do you want to see Dad’s party clear out within seconds?” Jake asked.
She chuckled. He had a great singing voice, but very rarely would he allow anyone to find out that fact. “Guess we’ll have to rely on my favorite brother, Gabe, to serenade me.”
“Listen, brat, I’m your favorite. When are you going to realize that?” he asked, taking the bait.
She pressed two fingers to his chest. “Maybe never. Now make yourself useful and help me take the desserts out to the patio.”
***
Josh
Josh was in the middle of talking to one of Mr. McGinnis’s four brothers when Carina walked right by him. She was all business while carrying out a cake that was sure to be a hit. Everything he had tasted tonight had been fantastic. It had been an unbelievable balance of Irish and Italian cuisine.
Lucrezia walked alongside her daughter and helped her set the massive tiramisu cake on a table that seemed to be prepared to receive desserts. Jake followed up with a tray containing at least four cheesecakes. A moment later, Carina’s Aunt Shannon appeared with two trays of cookies and some cousins followed with even more cakes. When everything seemed to be in its place, Lucrezia called for everyone to gather around the dessert table. She didn’t need to yell to draw her guests’ attention; she simply raised her voice another octave and it stilled the crowd. It was clear that Lucrezia McGinnis led this family.
Lucrezia thanked everyone for coming, for her family, for her blessings, and for her husband. Patrick McGinnis held onto his wife’s hand the entire time she spoke. When she was finished with her speech he leaned over and whispered something that only she could hear, and then kissed her sweetly on the lips. Josh had never seen his parents kiss like that, with raw emotion. The guests erupted into applause and proceeded to sing “Happy Birthday.” Immediately after the song ended, the band started with an Irish song and then followed it up with songs that were sung completely in Italian.
Josh had been patient, waiting for the proper moment to speak with Carina. He had caught her watching him throughout the day, and each time the temptation to stop what he had been doing, be it carrying a table or pitching the massive tent he was currently standing under, had grown tremendously. It had taken everything he had not to run over and pull her into his arms.
Josh looked across the patio and saw his girl. She was now sitting next to her father and laughing at something he had said. Lucrezia was sitting on the other side of her husband, their fingers entwined beneath the table. It was no wonder Carina believed in forever and other halves.