Mia’s only dream right now was to finish medical school, but the only way to make that happen was to find a steady job that would last long enough for her to pay for the years she still had left before graduating. Unfortunately, that had been getting harder every day lately—more specifically, ever since she’d been fired a little over three months ago. The only reason she hadn’t been kicked off campus yet was the simple fact that her best friend paid her tuition, even though she’d said several times that she didn’t need to—although she did. If it weren’t for her, Mia would be without a home and without the course she loved, which was why she needed a good job to take that burden off the blonde, blue-eyed woman’s shoulders.
The pink-haired girl had met her best friend in kindergarten, and from then on, she’d always been by her side, especially on the day she lost her mother. For Mia, it had been a catastrophic day, because she’d also discovered that the mother of her cousin, Aurora Devlin, had been in an accident and had nearly died too. She hadn’t had much contact with her cousins because her father didn’t get along with Oscar Devlin, the children’s father and the man who had married two of her aunts—her mother’s cousins. First Hanna, who had died after trying to fight cancer, and then, almost three years later, Haley, the other woman’s identical twin sister, who had stayed in town solely to help him with the children and had soon found herself completely in love with her own brother-in-law.
Who could have imagined that he would feel the same way and ask her to marry him a few months later?
It had been a shock to the family.
She remembered her father making inappropriate comments about the whole story. He’d judged her uncle down to his very soul, and she could only remember it because...
Well, she didn’t know why, but some things happened simply because they happened. She remembered things she shouldn’t, while other things she couldn’t remember at all. Like when her parents had started fighting and becoming complete strangers to each other.
At that moment, Mia was scrolling through every job app she could find, trying to locate the perfect position that would get her out of the hole she was in—almost literally. She felt ashamed that her friend was paying for her college and the apartment complex where she lived, which was the same one her friend lived in, and even so, she couldn’t claim she wasn’t in need, especially since she’d been unemployed for three months and sixteen days.
She had worked at a law firm, but her boss had become completely inappropriate. When he suggested that he would promote her as long as she gave herself to him, the pink-haired girl hadn’t hesitated to refuse, curse him with every possible swear word, and run from that place. She never went back, but she received a termination letter the next day. She felt sad that she couldn’t pay her bills, but she was also relieved not to be harassed by the scumbag.
Ever since she’d left home, everything had begun to fall apart in her head. First, her father had turned his back on her and refused to believe her when she told him about the lover of the little woman he’d married. Then, only a few days after she’d gotten her own place in the beautiful apartment complex near her new job, her fiancé had simply ended everything, explaining that he needed to think about his future and had therefore accepted a scholarship in New York.
And she’d been happy for him—until she learned about the slut he’d taken with him.
Samuel Callahan was still on her mind, but unlike before, all Mia could feel for him now was disgust, revulsion, hurt, and disappointment. More than anything, though, she felt relieved that she’d found out in time, before getting married and being labeled a cuckolded wife for all the years of their marriage.
She’d thought that when her father found out what had happened between them, he would come looking for her to support her. Instead, he’d gone on a second honeymoon with his disgusting wife, and Mia wondered how a father could possibly not care about his own daughter’s well-being.
Suddenly, she remembered the man she’d met the day before.
Liam Kavanagh.
He wasn’t like people labeled him. At least, that was how it had seemed to her. He was genuinely concerned about his children, and he seemed to enjoy the children’s schemes—even if he didn’t show it. She’d seen the same thing she used to see in her father’s eyes when she was little. She felt moved by the love his dark eyes showed for his children.
She remembered the moment she’d been with both children in the taxi. Although the little boy had looked suspicious, his sister seemed genuinely fascinated by the color of Mia’s hair, judging by the way she stared at it—fixedly, barely blinking.
“You’re so pretty,” the little girl suddenly commented. “You look like one of my dolls.”
“Thank you. You’re very pretty too.” Mia smiled at her. “So, when are you going to tell me your names?”
“I don’t know if we should.”
“Come on, kid. I’m taking you to your father.”
The boy pouted, unable to argue.
“My name is Mia.” She smiled. “I’m twenty-two years old, and I swear I’m not a bad person. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be looking after your safety right now.”
“Yeah, maybe.” He spoke slowly, beginning to believe the woman.
“She’s nice,” he whispered to his brother, who looked at him incredulously.
“What else do I have to say before I can find out both your names?”
“My name is Natalie. Natalie Kavanagh.” Her brother gave her a reproachful look, but she didn’t care. “I’m five years old, just like my brother. We’re twins.”
“She must’ve figured that out,” he muttered.
“Yes, I did. And I also noticed how protective you are of your sister.”
The boy looked at her at once.
“And I completely understand you. I’d do the same if I were in your place.” She noticed that what she’d said made him look at her with greater interest. “I never had any siblings by blood, but I have a best friend who practically grew up with me, and we’ve always protected each other.”
“Do you still protect her?”
The pink-haired girl smiled at the question.
“She protects me much more,” she answered truthfully. “But yes, I protect her. And you should do the same for your little sister.”
“I do too, right?”
“Of course, sweetheart. Siblings have to support and take care of each other, always.”
She touched the little girl’s dark hair. A few seconds later, she heard the boy’s gruff voice.
“My name is Thomas Kavanagh.”
“Thomas. I like that name.”
Then she saw the boy smile mischievously, even though he turned his face away.
They were adorable, and she could imagine how proud their father was of them for being so intelligent. She’d always loved children. She’d always wanted to be a mother, ever since she was very young, and being around such innocent little ones made her feel light and happy. With them, you could trust with your eyes closed. You didn’t have to worry about them destroying your heart—not intentionally, at least.
Suddenly, remembering what she’d heard that afternoon, she couldn’t help putting her hands in her own hair, imagining the woman’s desperation. She would definitely freak out. She loved her hair, which, although no longer natural, was special. At fifteen, she’d decided to dye it a darker blonde, but because of her completely crazy blonde friend, it had ended up pink. She liked it and never changed it again.
She sighed when the doorbell rang.
“Hi, Mia.” Her friend walked in without waiting for permission. “I came to tell you some amazing news. You’re going to love it. I’m so excited that I had to come here and make sure my best friend, my soul sister, heard it firsthand.”
“You look like one of those people who’ve been on drugs, you know?”
“How awful.”
The other woman laughed, mostly because of the pout on her friend’s face.
“I’m kidding.” Mia waved her hand. “Come on, tell me. I’m curious.”
The little blonde gave her a huge smile, as though the previous moment had never happened.
“It’s a boy!” she exclaimed, running a hand over her prominent belly. “Connor and I found out today. This baby finally let me know the sex. I thought I wouldn’t find out until the end of the pregnancy.”
“Which isn’t far off.” Mia spoke with a smile before hugging her. “Girl, I’m so happy for you both, especially Connor. He was hoping for a boy, wasn’t he?”
“Yes. The twins are excited too and can’t wait to meet him.” She looked down at her belly. “And neither can I,” she added more softly, smiling.
“You’re excited, aren’t you?”
“I can’t wait to hold him, girl. You know I’ve always wanted children, and when I found out I was pregnant with the twins, I freaked out—especially because I was afraid Connor wouldn’t believe me and would leave me to take care of them alone.” She suddenly smiled. “I was completely surprised when he not only believed me but said he’d take care of me and the baby. That I wouldn’t have to worry, much less face my father alone. I think that earned me some points with David Quinn.”
“Connor’s a sweetheart.”
“That’s why I fell in love with him. The care, the affection, the attention... everything he did for me during the pregnancy, especially when we found out they were going to be twins, made me fall in love with him.”
“I think your love is beautiful.”
“You’ll know and feel that too someday, Mia.”
“I don’t believe in love anymore, Luna.”
The blonde felt her chest tighten and her eyes grow teary at seeing her friend so completely wrecked. She was pregnant, which made her especially sensitive. She knew very well that Mia had reasons to feel so discouraged about love.
When she’d found out that her friend was dating Samuel Callahan, she’d immediately worried. She knew him from back in the day, and unfortunately, she knew what kind of person he was—especially how much of a womanizer he was. How many times had she seen him leave with a different girl from every party he attended? Plenty. And because she knew what a loser he was, she’d decided to interfere in her friend’s relationship for the first time, especially after realizing Mia was falling in love.
And Mia had believed he’d changed, because people changed. Luna couldn’t disagree with that, but she didn’t believe that was the case with Callahan.
She’d tried to convince her. She’d tried to get the redhead out of her friend’s life. And when that didn’t work, she’d been terrified of seeing Mia exactly as she was now—emotionally destroyed and completely disillusioned about love.
“Samuel hurt you, but that doesn’t mean another man will do the same.”
“I know. Not every man in this rotten world is the same, but I’d rather protect myself.”
“Maybe if you’d done more when you started dating that...”
“You did everything you could. I was the idiot.”
“You were everything but an idiot. You believed he could change, you believed in his love for you, and you believed the beautiful things he told you. You’re an optimist, girl. That doesn’t make you an idiot.”
The other woman took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
“You’re lucky to have Connor Fitzgerald in your life.”
“And you’ll be just as lucky as I am. You’ll find someone who will love you the way you deserve.”
“Let’s not talk about this anymore.”
Even though the other woman wasn’t happy that her best friend was avoiding the subject, she nodded in agreement simply because she knew the conversation was making Mia uncomfortable, especially since it reminded her of the moments she’d shared with her ex.
“So, do you think another redhead is on the way?”
The blonde smiled at once.
“My father thinks he’ll be blonde, like me and him, and my husband agrees.”
“And you?”
“I honestly haven’t thought about it yet. I just want him to be healthy.”
The pink-haired girl smiled.
“He will be,” she affirmed. “He’ll be beautiful, healthy, and perfect, just like his sisters.”
“Beautiful, I know he’ll be. Just look at me and my husband, sweetheart.”
“You’re so full of yourself,” Mia drawled, gesturing as she spoke.
The other woman merely shrugged.
“I’ll confess something...” Mia began. “I imagine him completely blonde, with eyes that are a mix of yours and Connor’s.”
“That would be cute.”
“It would be very cute.” She agreed with a smile. “And he’d be spoiled rotten because he looked so much like you.”
“By my husband, you mean?”
“No, by your father.”
They both laughed together.
“Connor wouldn’t be capable of having a favorite.”
And the blonde couldn’t help agreeing, especially since the red-haired girls had features similar to hers, particularly the youngest one, Cloe.
“So, leaving my little boy aside, did you find a job?”
“Can you believe I didn’t?” Mia crossed her arms, annoyed.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” She shrugged. “But you know, yesterday was a strange day for me.”
“Why do you say that?”
The other woman grew curious.
“I met Liam Kavanagh and his children.”
“Really?” She widened her eyes. “How did that happen?”
“I literally ran into his twins, alone in the middle of the street, looking scared and searching for something. I was worried, so I thought it would be best to take them to where their father worked, just as they’d asked me to.”
“You did the right thing. Imagine what would’ve happened to them if they’d run into someone with bad character?”
“I don’t even like thinking about it.” Mia shuddered. “But now I need to focus on finding the perfect job so I can stop being a burden to you and your husband.”
“What nonsense!” the pregnant woman said, pouting. “We know you need help, and it’s no trouble for us at all.” She smiled. “Sweetheart, you know very well that my husband’s company makes far more than what we spend on you in a single day.”
“Even so, I don’t want to take advantage.”
The pregnant woman rolled her eyes.
“You met Kavanagh and didn’t ask him for a job?”
“Luna, you know me. I’d never do something like that.”
Again, the blonde rolled her eyes.
“You’re so proper it annoys me sometimes.”
“You’re the one who annoys me!”
“Pain in the ass.”
“Insufferable.”
“Annoying.”
“Inconsiderate.”
“Wow, what a beautiful compliment-fest.” The deep voice was filled with mockery.
When they looked behind them, they found Connor Fitzgerald, the redhead with aqua-green eyes who was married to the pregnant woman standing in front of Mia.
“Keep going. This is beautiful.”
“Listen to the sarcasm.”
He laughed when he heard his friend.
“Connor, she says she’s being a burden to us. Can you believe it?” She saw her husband’s frown and quickly explained. “She said she doesn’t want to take advantage of us.”
Fitzgerald shook his head, his eyes fixed on Mia.
“Seriously, Mia, we’re friends. You’re practically my wife’s Siamese twin.”
“Hey!” both women exclaimed together, outraged by the way he’d put it as they listened to him laugh.
“I’m serious now.” He spoke after he stopped laughing. “I have money—lots of money—and you need help. Why wouldn’t I help you?”
He stepped closer to the women.
“I know, and I’m grateful. I’ll be grateful forever, but...”
“No buts,” the couple said together, and for that reason alone, Mia fell silent.
“Now, what’s this about you meeting my friends?”
“Your friends?” She frowned.
“Liam Kavanagh and Ryan Maher.”
The pink-haired girl’s eyes widened in complete surprise, while her blonde friend smiled awkwardly. She’d forgotten to mention that her husband, Kavanagh, and Maher were best friends and had known each other since childhood.
“You’re friends with Liam Kavanagh and Ryan Maher?”
That really was the most shocking news of the day. It was certainly more shocking than meeting those two men and one of their children. When she heard the names of Dublin’s best-known businessmen, along with that of her red-haired friend, she was completely stunned—so much so that she could barely say a word, and only managed to speak several minutes later. She knew the companies were connected, but she’d never imagined their owners were friends.
Over the next few minutes, Fitzgerald told her how he’d met them. They’d still been children, and from then on, they’d become best friends, along with his brother-in-law and Noah Devlin. She already knew he knew her cousins, but she’d never imagined he was best friends with the other two. They’d studied together through the end of college, and although they had less time to have fun—or even get together for a meal—they were still very close friends.
She also learned that Maher was her cousin Aurora’s husband.
It was strange not to know things about her own cousin, but it was as she’d mentioned: they weren’t very close, and they’d grown even more distant after Mia left her family’s mansion. The only thing she knew about Aurora was that she’d married a Maher—Mia hadn’t paid much attention to which one—and had three children, two of whom were twins: Logan, a name chosen by their paternal grandfather, and Leo, a name chosen by their maternal grandfather.
“Mia, you need to keep up with the gossip magazines more.”
“Luna, I’m not you.”
“Of course you’re not, sweetheart, or you’d know everything about both your cousins.”
Her husband rolled his eyes, though he agreed with her.
“You have a family. You should look for them.”
“What for? I barely have a place to drop dead.” She huffed.
“Do you think they’d care about your financial situation? Neither of them is like that, and I think they’d like to meet their cousin.”
Mia looked intensely into his aqua-green eyes, making him frown as he wondered for a moment why she was doing that.
“You already arranged it, didn’t you?”
Yeah, she knows me well, he thought.
“Let’s just say I mentioned you to Noah. He got curious, told his sister, and then they wanted to meet you again. And I told them you’d be completely free tonight.”
“Damn it, Connor!”
“Don’t be a coward!” the former Quinn said bluntly. “They’re your cousins. They want to meet you, keep in touch, and become friends. Don’t you think that after everything you’ve been through, you deserve this gift?”
She couldn’t help sighing and agreeing, especially because it was something her mother would have wanted her to do. After all, her mother had loved her second cousins very much and had always mentioned how much she wanted Mia to get to know them better. The only reason they hadn’t stayed in closer contact was her father, who was stubborn and hadn’t liked Oscar in the slightest.
“All right.” She gestured. “We’ll meet with the Devlins.”