Always My Girl (The Shaughnessy Brothers) Read Free

there’s a future to it that includes a husband and kids and a happily ever after.”
    Zoe was quiet for a moment. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this before? And you think leaving the pub and going into real estate is going to help you achieve that dream?”
    “I don’t know.” Anna shrugged. “But at least I’m getting out and meeting new people. Everyone who came into the pub has pretty much known me my entire life. I was never going to find my future husband there.”
    “Maybe you already know him and you just haven’t realized it yet.”
    Anna made a face. “Please. I think I would know by now. It’s the same old crowd in there, and they all still look at me like I’m the tomboy they knew in high school. They come in and talk sports with me and want to relive a little of their glory days. It’s kind of sad.”
    “Quinn doesn’t do that.”
    “Yeah, well…maybe not to all of it. Quinn likes to talk about himself, mostly. But at the end of the day, he still sees me as Anna, the girl he grew up with and played baseball with and who kicks his ass at basketball. I’m one of the guys to him.”
    “Maybe because it’s all you let him see.”
    Anna put her head back down and sighed. “There isn’t much more to see. This is who I am.”
    Zoe started to say something but cut herself off. “I’m going to get something to drink. You want something?”
    “Some water would be great.”
    Standing, Zoe took her oversized hat off and placed it on the back of Anna’s head. “Watch this for me, will you?”
    Anna laughed. “Sure. Whatever.” She wasn’t sure why Zoe tossed the hat on her, but it didn’t matter—she was too relaxed. Wiggling slightly, she got more comfortable and sighed. This was good.
    “Hey, you made it,” Zoe said quietly to Quinn as she approached him. “I didn’t expect you here so early. I figured we’d have to send out the search party to get you.”
    “Yeah, well…I decided to skip work today and head down here and see if you needed help with anything.” He looked past Zoe’s shoulder and spotted someone lying on one of the chaises.
    Zoe followed his gaze. “Well, why don’t you come inside? I was just about to grab a couple of bottles of water and then I can show you your room.”
    Quinn shrugged. “Sure, yeah. Um…is that one of your friends from Arizona? Aidan didn’t mention anyone being here yet.” He took a couple of steps past Zoe, a grin slowly appearing on his face as he appreciated the curvy, half-naked woman on the chaise. She was wearing a tiny blue bikini and was all tanned limbs.
    “Uh…Quinn?” Zoe began.
    “You go and grab the drinks. I’ll go and introduce myself.” He continued to walk.
    Rather than do as he suggested, Zoe followed slowly behind him, anxious to watch what was about to unfold.
    Quinn sat down on the chaise Zoe had vacated and cleared his throat. “Hey,” he said smoothly. “I’m Quinn, Aidan’s brother. Zoe’s going inside to grab some drinks and I thought I’d come over and—”
    Anna turned over, the large, floppy hat falling behind her.
    Quinn quickly stood and stumbled and fell backward over Zoe’s chaise. “Holy shit! Anna? ” He slowly came to his feet. “What the hell?”
    She shaded her eyes and gave him a sour look before looking over at Zoe. When Zoe started to come forward, Anna held up a hand to stop her. “I got this.” Once her friend was gone, she returned her focus to Quinn. “Is there a problem?”
    Quinn helplessly looked around and grabbed the towel from Zoe’s chaise and threw it at Anna. “For crying out loud, what are you doing?”
    “Um…sunbathing? Lying out? Getting a tan? Really, take your pick.”
    He straightened the chaise and sat down, but his eyes stayed focused on the ground. “Well, maybe you’ve had enough sun for today and should…you know…put some clothes on.”
    A small laugh escaped before she could help it. It would seem she had finally managed to get Quinn