The idea of Eamon kissing me makes my blood thump heavily through my veins.
“Just take it one day at a time. If he’s worth it, he’ll understand and walk this road with you. And if he doesn’t understand, then he’s not worth your time,” Charlie says.
We talk for a couple more hours until Charlie can’t hide her yawning anymore. She stands up and stretches.
“I’ve gotta go, Norie. I’ll be dead on my feet if I don’t go home and go to bed,” she says, hugging me.
I squeeze her back. “Go. You need the rest. Love you.”
“Love you. Keep me posted on the Eamon situation. Oh, and you know you’re going to have to tell the others soon. Myra has some sort of radar, so beware,” she says, shutting the door behind her.
Chapter Ten
Eamon
I walk into Paddy’s at half past six to find Alicia pulling a few beers behind the bar and a handful of people scattered throughout the pub. The dreary skies are reminiscent of Ireland, and for a moment, I actually miss it. Ireland will always be the most beautiful country in the world to me.
I should probably call my Mam soon since it’s been a while since we’ve spoken. I know it broke her heart when I left for the States, but I just couldn’t bear being there anymore. After everything went to shite, I was desperate for an escape, so when the Coach of the UNCW Seahawks called and asked me to come play for them, I said yes without question. I told Mam it was the chance of a lifetime, and a week later, I was boarding aplane for America.
“Hey, Eamon,” Alicia greets me as I saunter up to the bar. “Thanks for filling in tonight. I have a feeling this weather will bring us a fair bit of business. Something about stew and beer on a rainy day…”
“Aye.” I nod in agreement. “Anything for Paddy. Have you heard from him?”
“No. Why he doesn’t see a doctor in town, I’ll never know. Surely his son can find someone for him.” She shrugs, her long black ponytail swinging behind her.
“Who knows? Shall I start on stew, then?” I ask, knocking my knuckles on the bar.
“Paddy set up a batch before he left. It’s already on the stove warming up. Might go ahead and start the next batch,” she suggests. “When will our Norah be here?”
I smile at the reminder. “I told her seven. Hope that’s okay.”
“Perfect. Now off to it, Chef,” she says cheekily.
I’m in the middle of chopping carrots when a pleasant laugh sounds through the swinging doors. I look up as Norah walks in, laughter still evident on her face.
“Hi!” She beams at me, and I damn near cut my finger off with how radiant that smile is.
“Hello there, lass. You’re certainly in a good mood this evening,” I tell her, carefully navigating the knife away from my fingers and back to the carrots.
She ducks into Paddy’s office to put her purse away before responding, “Everyone keeps telling me that today. Makes me wonder if I’m normally grumpy.”
“No. At least not that I’ve seen. Other than Friday night…” I wink at her, unable to keep myself from teasing her. It’s too easy and entirely way too much fun.
She narrows her eyes at me and says pointedly, “That was a completely different situation. My honor was being challenged.Anyonewould be cranky.”
“Fair point,” I concede, holding my hands—and knife—up in surrender.
She grabs an apron from the hook and ties it quickly around her waist.I watch her as she twists those auburn curls into a knot on the top of her head. Once she’s satisfied with its position, she puts her hands on her hips and looks at me expectantly.
“Alright. Where do you want me?” she asks.
I can think of a few places I want her, but not one of them is appropriate. Stopping those thoughts in their tracks, I cough roughly and look around the kitchen. There aren’t any dishes to be washed yet, but I do have a pile of veggies still needing to be peeled and chopped.
I nod towards the pile and ask, “Do you cook, Norah?”
“I do,” she says. “Baking is my forte, but I’m pretty good with a peeler and knife.”
She grabs the peeler and a large potato and gets to work. We stand next to each other in companionable silence for a few minutes, lost in our own thoughts.
