Page 35 of Only You
“You might as well tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
“Tell me who it is. Eddie will tell me.”
“No grilling Eddie,” she said, although she was smiling. Eddie’s mother was kind of scary, so he had a rational fear of women—his words, not hers. It was probably why they worked so well together.
“You know that boy tells me stuff without me asking.”
“Fine. Declan Fitzpatrick.”
The silence almost vibrated over the phone. “The one who owns the bar and grill?”
“Yes.”
“He comes from a firemen family.” She said it like they were completely different creatures. The truth was, she never understood the rivalry. Eileen always felt like they were two sides of the same coin. Of course, it was more of a dick-measuring thing, and since she didn’t have one, Eileen figured that was why she couldn’t truly understand it.
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, but he’s a chef and cooks for me.”
“Good because you cannotcook.”
“Hey!”
“Just telling you the truth, baby girl. Your talent lies elsewhere. Where are you going?”
“Not sure. He said casual and told me to wear jeans.”
“So outside.”
Or he liked her ass in her jeans, but she decided not to tell her mom that.
“Listen, he’s going to be here any moment.”
“Okay. Have a good time, but not too good.”
Another eye roll from Eileen. “Don’t worry. I’m saving myself for marriage.”
There was no doubting the sarcasm in her voice.
“Why would you do that?” Yes, her mother had been unconventional for a girl who went to a Catholic elementary school. “I just meant no drinking and driving.”
Yes, Eileen was a cop, so she should know better. But her Uncle Jerry had been a cop who was killed in a drunk driving incident. He was the drunk driver. Thankfully, it had been a one-car accident, and he had been alone.
“No problem. I’m not driving. Love you.”
“Love you.”
Once she hung up, she looked at herself again in the mirror and nodded. She was sure she would have an amazing time, and Declan had said he liked her style.
Just as she had calmed her nerves with that pep talk, the doorbell rang, and butterflies sprang to life.
Get yourself together, O’Reilly.
Drawing in a deep breath, she walked to the door. Before she could open it, she heard Declan talking to someone.
“You better treat that girl right.”
Oh, God, that Mrs. Kilpatrick was a menace.
