“What brings you to the field today?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.
“Oh,” she starts, twisting her hands together nervously. “Norah invited me to keep her company, and I was bored, so it worked out. I normally work the evening shift, but today, they scheduled me earlier.”
Realizing that I have no idea where she works, I ask, “What do you do?”
“Just a grocery store clerk for now. Nothing exciting,” she shrugs. “What about you?”
“I head up the children’s department at the YMCA downtown,” I tell her proudly. I love my job.
“That sounds like a blast!” Layla exclaims.
“Aye, it is,” I confirm. “So, will you be joining us tonight so I’m not the third wheel with those two?” I jerk a thumb towards Eamon and Norah.
“Yeah, Norah invited me earlier. They’re something, aren’t they?”
I nod. “She’s good for him. He needs someone like her in his life.”
Layla peers up at me, pursing her lips. Those luscious lips. “He’s good for her too, I think. Norah has had…some difficulties in life, and I think Eamon is finally helping her to overcome them. I’ve never seen her so happy.”
Eamon is one of the best friends I’ve ever had. We didn’t know each other when we lived in Ireland, even though we hadn’t lived that far apart. I can always rely on Eamon to give me sound advice or be a listening ear. Although I don’t know anything about Norah’s past, there’s no way Eamon wouldn’t be good for her. He’s solid and steadfast—as loyal as they come.
“Anyway,” Layla says, nodding toward the couple, “we should join them before they leave without us.”
“Aye. After you, love.” I swing an arm in front of me dramatically, making her mouth tip up into a smirk. Not quite a grin, but I’ll take what I can get.
We catch up just as Eamon says, “Ro’s another story, though. Where is that eejit, anyway?”
“Probably going to bug Alicia,” I answer. “He couldn’t stay away if he tried.”
“Alicia? Like, Pat’s Alicia?” Norah asks, eyes wide with amusement.
“Aye, the one and only,” I continue. “He’s been after her since the moment he met her, but he doesn’t have balls enough to actually ask her out. Which is probably a good thing. If he messes things up with her, which he no doubt will, we’ll have to find a new pub.”
“Or we could just keep going to Paddy’s, and he can find a new pub?” Eamon suggests with a shrug of his shoulders. “I’m not changing pubs just because he fucks up.”
“So, are you guys actually friends with him? ” Layla cuts in, a doubtful look on her face. “Because it doesn’t sound like it.”
I chuckle. “Ah, we love the eejit, truly. It’s just the Irish way. You give a good slagging to the ones you care about. Friends, family, significant others…” I pause to give her a meaningful look, one that has her blushing and avoiding my gaze. “If you ever come across an Irish couple that’s not calling each other names, they’re miserable together.”
We decide to eat at a local pizza place on The River Walk. They have the best pizza, great beer, and outdoor seating. The hostess leads us to a table on the dock and promises the server will be right with us. Eamon and Norah naturally sit next to each other, which leaves Layla sitting next to me. Perfect.
“So,” Norah begins, “Eamon says you’re his new roommate.”
“Aye,” I nod, taking a drink of my beer before continuing. “He’s a nice enough bloke that he wouldn’t leave me stranded on the streets.”
When I shared the news about my living situation, Eamon was quick to offer the spare room at his flat and wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“What happened?” Layla asks, turning to me with concern on her face.
“Long story short, the property owner sold the building to a multi-million dollar corporation that plans on renovating them into some sort of executive suites. They evicted everyone. Told us we have two weeks to be out.”
“That’s insane!” she cries. “I’m so sorry.”
“Aye, it’s a mess.”
“But look on the bright side,” Norah interjects. “We’ll all be able to hang out together more! Layla lives next door to me, and you live with Eamon. Itwill be fun!”
I grin at that but hear Layla mutter under her breath, “For fucks sake, Norie.”
