I end up seated between Ash and Ro with Dillon across from me. Oh joy. Dillon’s searing-hot gaze drills into me as his mother places a loaded plate in front of me.
“Jesus, Ma.” Ciarán shakes his head. “There’s enough on that plate to feed two grown men.”
“Better to be too much than too little,” she says, finishing handing out plates.
My eyes are on stalks at the mountain of food on the table. The bowls in the middle are clearly the infamous second helpings I’ve heard about. I’ve no idea how Cath expects me to eat even a quarter of what is on my plate, but I’ll do my best, as I don’t want to insult her.
Conversation flows freely around the table as we tuck into the gorgeous roast beef dinner. Shane proudly tells me the beef and vegetables all came from the farm, and you can definitely taste the difference. It’s absolutely delicious. The meat is succulent and melts in my mouth—testament to Cath’s impressive cooking skills. Ash clearly inherited her mom’s talent in the kitchen, and I’ve been content to let her cook every night at our apartment when she offers because my skills are limited in the extreme.
When I compliment the gorgeous colorful bouquet holding court in an ornate vase in the center of the table, Cath informs me the mix of narcissi, roses, and sweet pea all came from their greenhouse. I tell them my mom is a great gardener and we have a rose garden back home. The discussion naturally moves to the flowers Fiona has chosen for her forthcoming nuptials and then into more general wedding conversation.
“How are the wedding plans coming along?” Ash asks her.
“Good,” she says, in between mouthfuls of her dinner. “Although I’m a little concerned about the bridesmaids’ dresses. They were shipped from New York three weeks ago, and they still haven’t arrived.”
“I’m sure they’ll arrive any day now, hon.” Shane squeezes his fiancée’s shoulder. “Try not to worry.”
“You should see them,” Ash says, turning to me. “They are the most gorgeous jade-green color.” Ash eyeballs her future sister-in-law. “Grace designs and makes dresses. She made that dress she’s wearing, and she’s making our gowns for the Trinity Ball.”
“Get out! Your dress is gorgeous. I can’t believe you made it yourself,” Susie says, running an admiring eye up and down my floral-print skater dress. It’s pink with a black trim and matching belt, and I teamed it with a white cardigan and black ballet flats.
“I used to make all of Aisling’s dresses when she was a little girl,” Cath reminisces. “I’ve still got my old Singer around here someplace.”
“I have a Singer back at my house in L.A.,” I admit.
“What’s L.A. like?” Ciarán asks. “Microsoft asked me to spend a couple of weeks in their Santa Monica offices on training, and I’ll be leaving a few days after the wedding.”
“Santa Monica is pretty. The beaches are gorgeous, and you’ll have to visit the pier.”
“Is it true it’s hot there all the time?” he asks, and I nod.
“Yep. There are lots of things I love about Ireland, but the cold weather definitely isn’t one of them,” I admit.
“Is it true all the women have fake boobs and blonde hair?” Cath asks, earning a round of titters from the table. “What?” she says, throwing her hands in the air. “I watched that Selling Sunset on Netflix, and all the women look like that!”
“Chrishell isn’t blonde,” Ro says.
“Her tits are fake,” Dillon adds, throwing it out there with casual confidence.
“How the hell would you know?” Ash asks, pushing her half-eaten plate away mid-groan.
“We watched the show at our place, and trust me, they’re not real.” He waggles his brows, and Shane snorts. Fiona whacks her fiancé on the arm.
“Wow. Did you put your magnifying glass up to the screen?” Ash teases.
Dillon smirks, flashing those dimples I’m such a sucker for. “Are you for real? Do you not see how little they wear on that show?”
“Google’s your friend.” Ro grins, holding up his cell phone. “Chrishell hasn’t hidden the fact she’s had boob implants.”
“Google isn’t always a reliable source of information, you know,” Ash says. “You shouldn’t believe everything you read online.”
“I’m betting you must’ve met tons of celebrities living in L.A.,” Cath says, her eyes lighting up. “I’m not into all that celebrity nonsense, but if I was ever in L.A., I’d definitely sign up for one of those tours. You know the ones that visit celeb homes. I’d love to—”