I throw my head back in laughter. If he isn’t wooing me with sweet words likeAcushla,then he has me in stitches. “Oh yes, I can see how that will flow smoothly in conversation. And definitely won’t make your ego swell at all.”
“Somethingwill be swelling, that’s for sure.”
I laugh again. “Oh my god, stop! You’re ridiculous. Maybe I’ll just call youboo bear.”
Eamon makes a noise of disgust. “Boo bear? You’re slagging me. Please say you’re slagging me.”
“I don’t know. It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? Especially while cheering you on at a game!”
We park the car, and he turns to scowl at me. “If you think for one minute that I’m going to let you call meboo bearor anything remotely close, you’re banjaxed.”
I giggle and lean over the console to kiss him. “Fine. Noboo bear,but I will find something.”
“I don’t see what’s wrong with my first suggestion,” he grumbles as we get out of the car. “Now, remember. I’m going to make this up to you.”
I narrow my eyes at him. Whatever is going on, he knows I won’t love it. That can only mean the girls are behind this.
“Just tell me now who I’ll be killing later.”
Chuckling, Eamon intertwines our fingers and leads me to the entrance of Paddy’s. He ushers me inside, and as soon we pass the threshold, a loud cheer rings out. All of my friends and their collective partners are standing and applauding. Eamon nudges me forward. I can feel my cheeks flushingand tears filling my eyes.
“You guys… What is this?” I choke out.
Charlie steps forward and hugs me tightly. “We’re so proud of you!”
I’m so touched and honored to call these people my friends and spend the next couple of hours accepting hugs and congratulations while sipping a glass of wine. When we arrived, I had expected just a round of drinks, much like we do every week, but the girls somehow talked Paddy into letting them reserve the entire pub for the occasion. As I walk around, I realize that each table has a frame in the middle of it and that every single frame contains a picture of one of the costumes from the play. On the bar sits a thick album filled with pictures of all the pieces I’ve created since moving to Wilmington. Every ballet recital, Halloween, and theater costume. I’m overcome with emotion as I flip through the pages. I don’t know how they managed to find all of these, but I’m floored.
“You’ve a gift, lass.”
Looking up, I find Paddy peering at me over the bar with those grandfatherly eyes I’ve come to love. He took me under his wing from the moment we met, and since I’ve never met my father’s parents and my Mom’s parents passed away when I was a toddler, he’s the closest thing to a grandparent I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t trade him for the world.
“Thank you, Pat. You know you’re my anchor, right?” I tell him.
His cheeks turn pink, and his eyes are glassy with unshed tears. “Ach, nonsense. You’re a strong young woman with a good head on your shoulders. You’ve never needed me.”
I reach over and grasp his fingers, squeezing gently. “I’m serious. You’re family. Before Charlie moved here, you were the only one I had.”
Paddy’s bottom lip quivers for a moment before he sucks in a deep breath.
“Alright, Pat?” Eamon’s deep voice sounds from over my shoulder, his forehead creased with concern.
“Aye, just dust from the vents getting in my eyes.” He harrumphs. “Didn’t you clean those this week? What am I paying you for anyway?”
“Right, knew I forgot something. Apologies, Paddy. Won’t happen again,” Eamon says in mock seriousness.
My heart warms while listening to the two of them. The way Eamon goes out of his way to protect Paddy’s pride is endearing and makes me feel all kinds of ooey gooey feelings.
“Oi! Kennedy!” a raucous voice suddenly bellows from the entrance and Ro saunters in, followed closely by Teagan.
“Ro. Teag. Glad you could make it,” Eamon greets them with a handshake that leads to a one-armed hug.
“Yeah, mate. Wouldn’t miss it,” Teagan says before shifting his gaze to me. “Congrats, Norah. I’m not a costume expert, but even I can tell your work is savage.”
“Righto, love! Absolutely bang on!” Ro cajoles.
I grin at them. “Thank you! Ro, I’m surprised you even saw the play.”
I can’t help but tease him. Teagan came to the play with Layla on opening night.
