Read Always My Girl (The Shaughnessy Brothers) for Free Online

couple of nights. It won’t be so bad.”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he said and took her hand in his and together they walked back up to the house.
    * * *
    The sun was setting, and everyone was milling about, laughing and smiling. The rehearsal had gone smoothly, and now everyone was enjoying an amazing seafood buffet Hugh’s resort had catered. Anna couldn’t remember the last time she had seen such an incredible display of food.
    As she mingled with everyone, her eyes kept straying to Quinn. At that moment, he was standing and talking with Zoe’s friend Kathy. Anna had met all the girls earlier, and Kathy had shared that she was three months pregnant. Her husband hadn’t come with her, though, due to a work conflict. Pausing, she discreetly watched as Quinn’s smile faltered slightly; no doubt he was now finding out all his flirting was for nothing—married woman, baby on the way. He said something and smiled before walking away.
    “If you don’t watch where you’re walking, you’ll end up in the pool.”
    She looked up and found her brother frowning at her. “I was watching where I was going,” she said pleasantly even though she was annoyed Bobby had clearly caught her watching Quinn.
    “Seriously, Anna, move on. The guy is not worth it.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Bobby sighed loudly. “Okay, you’re far too intelligent to pretend you’re not. You were staring at Shaughnessy, and if I noticed it, I’m sure everyone else did too. You need to stop.”
    Anna felt tension and anger begin to rise in her but she managed to hold her tongue.
    “Look, I’m not saying this to be a jerk or anything. I’m saying it because I love you and I don’t like seeing you get hurt. Quinn’s not the kind of guy you want to get involved with, and trust me when I say he’s not the right guy for you.”
    “And you know this how?” she asked, hoping she sounded bored rather than defensive.
    “You’ve known him almost your entire life. Has he ever even hinted he’s interested in you?” He paused but didn’t let her answer. “He’s a serial dater, Anna. He goes out with a girl once or twice, sleeps with her, and then moves on. You wouldn’t be any different. You’d just be one of many. I don’t want to see that happen to you. You deserve better.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Look, let’s not go there tonight, okay? It’s Aidan and Zoe’s party and I don’t want to ruin it. Stop hovering and go socialize a little bit.”
    “Yeah, well…if any of Zoe’s friends were single, it would be a lot more fun to socialize. This is basically just a family event.” He sighed dramatically. “So my options were either come over here and play the big-brother card or go and kick Quinn’s ass.”
    “Bobby—”
    “I know, I know. Hugh already talked to me.”
    “About what?”
    “It’s nothing.” He grabbed Anna and pulled her into his embrace and gave her a loud, smacking kiss on her head. “Behave yourself and go find someone else to get all moon-eyed over.”
    “Yikes,” she chuckled. “Leave me alone.”
    “No can do. You’re my baby sister and this is my job.”
    “You’re killing me.”
    “Like I said…my job.”
    “You need to find something else to do, or I’ll tell Mom you’re bothering me.”
    He laughed a little harder. “Eventually you’ll have to stop using that as your go-to defense. You’re getting too old for it.”
    “And yet it works like a charm,” she teased and gave him a wink before walking away.
    Bobby was right—about all of it. She was getting too old to play the tattletale card, and she really did need to get over her stupid crush on Quinn. It wasn’t healthy and it wasn’t getting her anywhere. Looking around the yard, she saw everything she wanted: love, happiness, and a family. She envied what Aidan and Zoe had—more than she cared to admit. And if she kept on pining away for a man who was never going to be anything more than a friend to her,