The Pairing (The Proposition #3)(10)

“Don’t worry about it.” Aidan pulled away. “So how the hell are you?”

Pesh couldn’t help laughing at Aidan’s choice of words, especially in a church. “I’m good, thank you.” He cocked his head at Aidan. “And what about you? Is fatherhood agreeing with you?”

A beaming smile lit Aidan’s face. “I’m absolutely fantastic. I never could have imagined that being a father would be this…amazing.”

Pesh nodded. “I want you to know what an honor it is for me to be Noah’s godfather.”

“We’re glad to have you.” Aidan patted Pesh’s back. “And I do mean that.”

“I hope you do. I have had my concerns…”

Aidan shook his head. “Well, don’t. I’ll admit I wasn’t too thrilled with the prospect at first, but Em was able to make me see the light. You were there for us when we really needed you. I mean, besides my wedding day, I would’ve missed the most important days of my life—my son’s birth. I can never thank you enough. So when it comes down to it, I don’t think I could ask for a better godfather for my son.”

Aidan’s words touched Pesh. “Thank you. That means a lot. You have my word that I will always do what is right by Noah.”

After giving him a hearty thump on the shoulder, Aidan said, “Come on back with me. I want to introduce you to everyone.”

“Do they…” Pesh wasn’t sure how to ask if Aidan’s family knew the story of how he and Emma truly knew each other.

Aidan chuckled. “Let’s just say that Pop’s the only one who knows the truth. The others just think you met us when Pop had his heart attack.”

Pesh couldn’t help the relieved breath that whooshed out of him. It would have been a nightmare to have most of Aidan’s family hating him for trying to steal Emma away. “I see.”

He followed Aidan back into a large room filled with chattering people. As he craned his neck, he saw Emma in the corner with Noah in her arms. She looked radiant as ever in an emerald suit. Noah, however, didn’t seem too thrilled to be outfitted in the lacy gown that flowed over Emma’s arms and stopped mid-thigh. His tiny brows wrinkled as he waved his fists back and forth as if any moment he might let loose with a scream.

Taking him by the elbow, Aidan guided him over to a group of men and women. Aidan introduced him to his four sisters and their husbands. Pesh smiled, nodded, and shook their hands before being bombarded by a hoard of Aidan’s nieces and nephews.

“Now I want you to meet my niece, Megan. She’s the godmother.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

Aidan surprised Pesh by leaning in and whispering in his ear. “I’m pretty sure over half of the people here are gunning for you two to get together. You know, a real romantic story to tell future kids about how you two met being the godmother and godfather of this sweet and adorable kid.”

Pesh gulped. Why was everyone he knew hell-bent on setting him up? Had Emma harbored some secret, ulterior motive in asking him to be Noah’s godfather? “I’m flattered, but I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

Pulling back, Aidan surmised him before winking. “Normally I would agree because she is, after all, my niece—my favorite one if I’m being honest. But as much as it pisses me off to admit it, you two would make a great couple.”

“We would?”

“Hell yeah.” Aidan swept his hand over his chin. “Megan needs someone strong and stable like you are, and then you need someone who is so full of life like she is. I can guaran-damn-tee you that you’ve never been out with a woman like her before. Emma is like, one tenths the sassiness that Megan is.”

Pesh couldn’t help giving Aidan a skeptical look.

“Just keep an open mind, okay?”

With a reluctant nod, Pesh replied, “I will.”

“Megan,” Aidan called.

When the tiny blonde turned around, Pesh fought to catch his breath. Everything about her from her sparkling blue eyes to her long blonde hair was just like Jade’s. How was it possible for someone to remind him so much of what he had lost?

Aidan grinned as he glanced between the two of them. “I wanted to introduce you to Pesh Nadeen, the godfather.”

Thrusting out her hand, Megan smiled warmly at him. “It’s very nice to finally meet you.”

He stared at it a moment before his good manners overrode his shock. He took her hand in his and shook it. “It’s very nice meeting you, too.”

“I’ll leave you two to get to know each other,” Aidan said. Before Pesh could protest, Aidan turned and disappeared into the crowd.

He turned to Megan and tried clearing his throat of what felt like a wad of sawdust. He knew he should try to make polite conversation, but he was still so shell-shocked by the way Megan looked.

Finally, she took pity on him. “So, Emma tells me you’re a doctor.”

Pesh smiled politely. “Yes, I am.”

“What type of medicine?”

“Emergency Services.”

Megan’s face lit up. “Oh, how interesting. I’m about to finish nursing school, and I’ve asked for clinical placement in the ER.”

Pesh widened his eyes in surprise. Aidan had failed to mention that they had the medical profession in common. “Really?”