“How was practice?” Norah asks, breaking the silence.
I glance sideways at her. She’s not looking at me; she’s still focused on her work.
“Wet,” I tell her, “and grueling. Coach has been in a foul mood this week.”
“You have to practice in the rain?” she asks, scrunching her nose at the idea.
I chuckle. “We play in the rain, so why not?”
“Good point,” she says with a shrug.
“Have you never been to a game when it rains?”
The stands are usually pretty empty on rainy games, which is understandable. None of us enjoy playing in the rain, so I imagine sitting in it isn’t much fun either.
“I can’t say that I have, to be honest. I’ve been to a few games, but always under optimal conditions,” Norah says brightly.
I stop dicing carrots and turn to her. “Well, we’ll have to remedy that, then. Won’t we, Miss Grady?”
I hear her suck in a short breath and see her cheeks turning pink as she looks up at me. Her skin is already flawless, but when she blushes? I can’t get enough of it.
“Um…” she hesitates.
“It’s only fair,” I tell her, lightly nudging her arm with my elbow. “I’ve never seen your Beauty and the Beast, and you’ve never been to a rainy game. Don’t you think we should settle both scores?”
Laughing, she says, “You’re not wrong, but it’s different. You’ll be playing, while I sit in the stands alone—no one to explain things to me. Whereas, with Beauty and the Beast, I’ll be there to help you navigate.”
“It’s a Disney movie. How much navigation do I need?” I grin at her, and she rolls her eyes before going back to peeling.
“And when exactly is the next rainy game going to be? Weather this time of year is pretty temperamental, so there’s really no telling when that will be.”
“I guess you’ll just have to come to all of them, then,” I tell her. “I think I’d enjoy seeing you in the cheering section on a regular basis.”
She stares up at me with those wide blue eyes, and I’m a goner.
“Hey!” Alicia barks, coming through the doors from the pub.
We both startle at her intrusion. I don’t remember moving closer to Norah, but somehow, there’s little to no space between our sides and arms. She must realize it the same time I do, because her face flames again and she takes a large step away.
“Love birds, the dishes are starting to pile up, and we’re gonna need that stew tonight!” Alicia continues, smirking at us knowingly.
“Sorry, Alicia. I’ll go grab those dishes now,” Norah says quickly. She puts down the peeler and wipes her hands on the closest towel. Grabbing a bussing tote, she scurries out of the door before Alicia can say another word.
Alicia turns to me with a severe expression. “Don’t do her wrong, Kennedy. She’s one in a million. If you’re just looking for a fuck buddy, you won’t find it with her. Not with what she’s been through.”
And with that, she turns and exits the kitchen, leaving me completely stunned and mildly insulted that she thinks so little of me. Sure, I’ve had a fling or two, but I’m not Mac. I don’t chase girls, and I’m certainly not looking for afuck buddy.I won’t say that I haven’t had some less-than-proper thoughts about Norah, but I have absolutely zero intention of pursuing those thoughts. I know she’s one in a million. It’s what drew me to her to begin with.
But what did Alicia mean when she saidwhat she’s been through?Obviously some wanker did something to break her heart, but then, I think back to our earlier interactions. My blood freezes in my veins when I recall how hesitant she was to be alone with me at first. I figured she was just being cautious, but now I’m wondering if that caution goes beyondstranger danger.The thought of someone hurting her enrages me so much that I grip the edge of the counter to steady myself and calm my breathing. I have the sudden urge to be her avenger and destroy anyone who’s ever done anything to harm her or make her fearful.
Norah
I bustle through the door with a tub full of glasses, bowls, and silverware and make my way to the dishwasher. Setting the tub on the counter, I begin unloading it. I’m about to make some sort of smart-ass comment about Eamon’s slow chopping skills, but stop short when I see the expression on his face. His strong jaw is clenched tightly, and he looks anything but amused. In fact, he looks angry. He scoops up the chopped veggies in both hands and drops them into the pot, then goes back to chopping more carrots with more force than necessary.
What could possibly have angered him in the mere minutes I was out of the kitchen? Is it what Alicia called us?Love birds.Maybe I’ve been reading him all wrong and he just wants to be friends. My heart sinks as the realization hits. Feeling foolish, I pour my focus into washing dishes, moving loads through the dishwasher, and then heading back out to the dining room to collect more. Eamon and I don’t say another word to each other until Alicia comes back to tell us the kitchen is officially closed.
Sighing with relief, I lean against the dishwasher to catch my breath. When I look up, Eamon is standing in front of me holding two pints ofGuinness with a wary expression on his face.
“Here,” he says softly, “you earned it.”
