Page 135 of My Husband Problem

I'm sure my smile seems a little more genuine now.

Of course, Scott has now lowered his phone and is scribbling in his notebook.

Behind the reporters, I catch sight of some people I was anticipating seeing today. Oh, this is perfect timing.

“One of the important reasons for Declan to stay is family,” I say to the reporters. “Alex is here now, of course, with Nora. And I don’t know if you realize, but Declan has a sister nearby.”

I reach out a hand toward the woman standing directly behind Scott. Scott shifts to the side, looking back as Fiona O’Grady steps forward with a big smile, taking my hand.

I tug her forward with a smile. “I’m so happy to see you,” I tell Fiona as I envelop her in a hug.

Right behind her is her big, bearded husband, Knox. He has an arm around their daughter, Saoirse. Saoirse is thirteen-going-on-forty. She’s full of sass and humor and is just as smart and passionate as her mom.

I have seen Fiona and her family a couple of times since moving here, but I know they haven’t seen Declan since the Christmas that we first went home as a married couple.

The one I ruined for him.

“Did you warn him?” Fiona whispers in my ear.

“No,” I admit.

I feel her take a deep breath, then I pull back and step to the side so that she can see her big brother.

Fiona is a fearless animal rights activist and rescuer, but as she looks up at Declan, I see a vulnerability that I know is extremely rare.

Knox steps forward, resting a hand on her shoulder.

“Hey, Dec,” Fiona says.

I study my husband’s face.

He doesn’t speak at first. Because he’s too emotional.

I slide an arm aroundhiswaist now, giving him the reassuring, comforting squeeze that he gave me earlier.

I feel the deep shuddering breath he takes before he says, “Fiona. God, it’s good to see you.”

Very in character, she simply steps forward, her arms out, and I get out of the way so she can hug him.

He wraps his arms around her immediately, pressing his cheek against the top of her head.

I know Fiona’s other brothers very well, and it’s always funny to me how short she is compared to the three men she shares parents with.

Their hug lasts for several long moments before she finally lets him go.

“Astrid invited us,” she says.

He gives me a smile that says a lot—thank you,you’re amazing,I want to kiss you so badly right now—and nods. “I’m so glad.”

“She also said you’replayingtonight?”

He chuckles. “Filling in for someone.”

“I remember you from Christmas,” Saoirse says, stepping forward.

Declan smiles at her. “I remember you too. Hi, Saoirse.”

“But you weren’t at Christmas this last year.” She looks at me. “Astrid was though.”