“Norie!” Myra squeals, throwing her arms around me and pulling me in for a tight hug. “I’m so, so sorry for the other night. I was being a Grade A bitch and don’t deserve to be your friend. Will you please forgive me?”
Pulling out of the hug and looking her in the eyes, I sigh and tell her, “Of course, I forgive you. I’m sorry too. We both said hurtful things. It actually worked out…” I nod my head in Eamon’s direction.
She peeks around me, waggling her eyebrows. “We have a lot to catch up on, it looks like. So what’s the status? Are you two dating now?”
“Uh…” I’m not sure what we are exactly. We haven’t made any sort of declaration, but have agreed that we want to spend more time together, and the physical attraction is there, but are we dating?
“We’re whatever Norah wants us to be. She’s the one calling the shots,” Eamon’s deep voice interjects, his warm breath fanning over my exposed shoulder, giving me chills.
I turn towards him and suck in a breath when I realize how close our faces are. His bright blue eyes are boring into mine, and I have the strongesturge to reach up and trace my fingers along his full lips. I duck my head to break eye contact.
“Should I not have said that? I was just trying to take some of the pressure off,” he says in a low voice.
I look back up at him and smile softly. “No, it’s just that…I appreciate you giving me the choice. I also don’t want to label us without coming to a mutual decision.”
“You will always have the choice. I wasn’t joking when I said we can do this at whatever pace you’re comfortable with. As for what we are…”
A loud cheer rings out through the pub, bursting the little bubble we’ve encased ourselves in. We both look to the stage to see Mac stumbling up the steps, heading straight for the microphone. Myra lets out a cat call, earning her a grin from Mac.
“Oh, Christ…” Eamon starts, pinching the bridge of his nose. “We can leave anytime you want, love. It’s only going to get worse from here.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “We only just got here!”
“Right, but I hadn’t planned on drinking tonight, remember? There’s no way I’m going to be able to sit here and listen to Mac howl about up there without a drink in my system.”
I raise an eyebrow and look at him for a moment. “Alright, Kennedy.One drink.” I hold up a finger. “Just one, and then we can go.”
“Deal. What’ll you have? Guinness?” Eamon winks at me.
Damn, if that doesn’t make my toes curl. “Definitely not. A glass of the house red, please?”
“Good choice. Be right back. Don’t listen to anything Ro says while I’m gone.” He gives my knee a gentle squeeze and slides out of the booth.
I watch him walk towards the bar, not at all upset at the view.
“Finally! Never thought the bastard would let me have a chance to talk to you,” Ro complains, sliding in next to me and throwing an arm around my shoulders.
Tensing slightly, I purse my lips and say studiously, “I’m under strict orders to not listen to a word you say.”
He places a hand over his heart, eyes widening. “I’m wounded! He’s justworried that I’ll snatch his girl away. I’m exceedingly more charming than he is. In fact, he learned all of the best lines and moves from me!”
“Strange,” I say, in mock concern. “I can’t imagine I’d be here with him if that were true.”
A loud laugh and the sound of chair legs scraping on the floor interrupt our banter.
“Sounds like you’ve met your match, Ro. It seems only another ginger can beat you at your own game,” Teagan says while taking a seat and extending his hand across the table, “Norah, I presume? Name’s Teagan. Pleasure.”
Returning the handshake, I respond, “You presume correctly. Nice to meet you as well.”
What is it with these Irishmen? All three of them are beautiful in their own way. A girl could get used to being surrounded by this kind of scenery.
“Now, Teag, don’t be getting any ideas. Norah has already told me I’m her next choice when she gets tired of Kennedy, here,” Ro says, shaking a finger at Teagan.
“Is that so?” Teagan responds, raising an eyebrow. “I suppose that’s alright. I’ve had my eye on Alicia anyway. She seems like she’d be a fun…”
“Fuck off. Don’t you dare go messing about with Alicia. I’ll have your bollocks for breakfast,” Ro grinds out, fire in his eyes.
Way to show your cards, Ro.
