Read Online Grim Offerings (Aisling Grimlock Book 2) by Amanda M. Lee - Free Book Online Page A

how it works in my family.”
    “Really? None of your brothers like me and you haven’t dumped me,” he said. “Or is that just what’s going to happen down the road?”
    “Of course not,” I scoffed. “I don’t care what my brothers think. They’re never going to like anyone I date. That’s a brother thing. It’s different with sisters.”
    “I’m still confused.”
    “When a sister doesn’t like her brother’s girlfriend, she keeps whispering in his ear until he dumps her,” Aisling said.
    “Have you done that with your brothers?”
    “Of course.”
    Griffin pursed his lips. “How many of your brothers’ relationships have you torpedoed?”
    “All of them.”
    “Have you ever liked any of the women your brothers have dated?”
    I searched my memory. “Two or three.”
    “And yet they’re not still around,” Griffin pressed. “Has it ever occurred to you that your brothers just aren’t ready to settle down?”
    “I … .” Huh.
    “Yeah, here’s the thing, Aisling; when you really like someone it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks,” Griffin said. “I happen to really like you. You drive me crazy, and I think most of your family should be committed, but I’m still fairly attached to you.
    “When it comes down to it, I don’t care what my sister thinks, and I don’t care what my mother thinks – and you are eventually going to have to meet her, too,” he continued. “I also don’t care what your father thinks or what your brothers think. I wasn’t aware they were part of this relationship.”
    “They’re not,” I hedged. “I just … .” I didn’t know what to say. Anything I added to the conversation now would just make me sound pathetic.
    “You’re nervous,” Griffin said. “I get it. You’re not going in there alone, though.”
    “I know.”
    Griffin held out his hand. “Come on. I promise this is going to be okay.”
    I sucked in a deep breath and nodded, lacing my fingers with his and letting him lead me inside. The good news is, nothing could be worse than his first meal with my family. We’d already hit rock bottom.
     
    “SO, you’re the famous Aisling. I can’t tell you how glad I am to finally meet you.”
    I extended my hand and shook Maya’s, forcing a bright smile onto my face. Maya was already seated by the time we arrived, and the waitress immediately took our drink orders. I needed some bourbon and I needed it now. “Famous? I’m not sure how to take that.”
    Maya’s eyes were thoughtful as they studied me. “You’re the first woman Griffin has brought home in … forever.”
    “Forever?”
    “I can’t remember the last time I met a girlfriend of his actually,” Maya said. “I’m sure he’s had a few over the years, but you’re the only one he’s mentioned. In fact, when he started talking about you I was surprised. I figured he was a bachelor for life.”
    Griffin shifted uncomfortably. “Can we not harp on this? Aisling is nervous enough as it is.”
    “You were nervous to meet me?” Maya asked, tickled. “Why?”
    “I just … .”
    “Aisling’s family runs a little differently than ours,” Griffin explained. “She’s never been to a civil meal before. She didn’t know they existed.”
    Maya giggled. “Is that so? I heard you have a really big family. Four brothers, right?”
    “Yes.”
    “Younger? Older?”
    “Three older.”
    “And one younger?”
    “Isn’t Aidan technically older than you?” Griffin pressed.
    “We’re twins.”
    “He was still born first.”
    “Oh, you have a twin brother,” Maya said. “That’s so cool. What was that like growing up?”
    “Co-dependent,” I replied honestly.
    Maya was confused. “What do you mean?”
    “I mean that we’re probably a little too attached to one another,” I said. “We … don’t have a lot of boundaries.”
    Griffin snorted. “That’s putting it mildly, and none of your brothers have boundaries.”
    “Well, wait. Aisling was the