Sophie smiled, relieved to have found this ally just when she needed it. At the same time, her heart was still beating wildly after standing up to Gavin. She chanced a look at him and found he was still watching her, his expression less confused now and more curious.
“Sure, that’d be great,” she said to Felicity.
Taking a deep breath, she faced forward and tried to shake off those new-girl nerves once more.
2
SOPHIE
“Sophie! Come sit here,” Felicity called out.
Sophie scanned the room before spotting Felicity in one corner, waving at her. The lunchroom wasn’t all that different than the one back home, with rows of picnic-style tables and the chatter of dozens of conversations going on at once. But it seemed to go quiet as Sophie took the empty spot next to Felicity. It felt like everyone was watching her, and she was desperate for some distraction to cast the attention off of her.
“All right, everyone,” Felicity said, standing, “since none of yous could mind your own bloody business, even if you actually tried, this is my new best mate, Sophie. She’s from the States.”
Sophie smiled, relaxing a bit now that Felicity had once again come to her aide. She was proving to be a friend already.
A few kids said hello and Sophie waved in return.
“So, how are you enjoying our sunshine and prosperity?” the boy next to her asked.
She glanced up at the skylights, taking in the ever-present gray clouds looming over them, and laughed. “It’s overwhelming.”
“My name’s Conor. Good to meet you,” he said. “Where is it you’re from in the States?”
“California,” Gavin interrupted from his position at the far end of the table.
“And how do you know that, Gav?” Conor asked.
“Just look at that golden tan—doesn’t that say it all?”
The crowd tittered and Sophie groaned inwardly at the derisive comment. He was obviously the boy they all looked to and now he was setting the tone for how she should be viewed. The hint of schoolyard meanness was déjà vu. But this time, she didn’t hesitate to fight back.
“Is that the best you can do?” she asked, and the group quieted. “I mean, you’re really going to pretend thatIdidn’t tell you I was from California? To get a laugh at my expense?”
“Well—” Gavin started.
“You smart-arse, Gav,” Conor said. “Don’t give the new kid hassle. You’ve probably frightened her to death of all Irishmen.”
Sophie’s chest rose and fell, her breath ragged as the adrenaline rush from having spoken up for herself once again started to fade.
“I don’t think she’s frightened at all,” Gavin said, locking eyes with her.
It had felt important to assert herself and she was glad that she had, but now that Gavin was looking at her with an open mixture of respect and desire, she felt her knees go weak. That same feeling of connection swept over her and she was drawn to him all over again, despite how they’d clashed.
But the moment was broken when a girl moved behind Gavin, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and kissed him on the cheek.
He looked up at her with a smile. She had a broad, freckled face, and her long, unruly brown hair worked as a shield when Gavin pulled her down to him for a kiss on the lips. The crowd of kids at the table howled.
Sophie blinked to try to clear the sting of jealousy she felt at Gavin so quickly giving his attention to another girl.
“You okay, Sophie?” Conor asked.
She turned to him, glad for the distraction. She noticed for the first time the striking way Conor’s blue eyes contrasted with his black hair and brows. His cheekbones were high and his jawline defined, but thick eyelashes and a quick smile softened those edges.
“Um, yeah. I think I’m still jet-lagged, though.”
“So, have you had a chance yet to see Dublin at all?” Conor asked.
