Looking over the smaller tables, she noticed that they lacked any matching pattern; some were square, some round, and they were more crowded together towards the front of the bar. There was a fireplace off to one side, which appeared as a dark, gaping hole in the brick, and a jukebox on the other side of the bar, creating an interesting contrast between the old and relatively modern. The air had a damp mustiness to it. The lighting was dim. Each table displayed wine bottles with unlit candles stuck into them and the remains of old wax dripping down them.
“Hiya,” Bonnie said sweetly, as a large shadow of a man approached, only truly taking shape when he stood before them. And what a shape!
“What can I get ye?”
Even through the encroaching fuzziness of her senses, Penny felt her eyes pulled in the direction of the bartender. She’d been surrounded by the sing-songy melody of the Cork accent in town, but this deep gravelly voice had a different sort of lilt. Turning to see the mouth it came from, she saw only chest instead. A very broad, well-muscled one that held her attention far longer than it should have. Realizing this, she lifted her head quickly and found herself staring into a pair of startlingly blue eyes. She heard herself take in her next gasping breath. Her hands dropped as she found she was able to sit without the extra support, alert and focused again.
“We’ll have two pint bottles of Bulmers with ice, please.”
“We’ll have what?” Penny asked absently, eyes still on the chiseled features before her. But aware enough not to trust Bonnie ordering for her.
“Or did you want coffee?” Bonnie asked.
“I didn’t say that. Just… what is it? That you ordered?” Penny asked, perplexed.
“Coffee? At this reasonable hour of the day?” The bartender winked at her playfully. “You’ll be grand, girl. It’s just cider,” he clarified.
“Ah.” Penny’s instincts to follow the carb-free diet she’d been so focused on for the last five months kicked in. Cider, as much as she loved it, as much as it contained so much more flavor than those seltzer drinks she’d accustomed herself to, was strictly forbidden. She reached for Bonnie’s arm, hoping to change the order.
“Forget it,” Bonnie said, her eyes firmly focused on the hunky bartender as well. “There are no seltzer drinks here. And you’ve already consumed more carbs than you can imagine today. The wedding is off. There is no dress to fit into.” Bonnie finally turned, staring blankly for a few seconds before pulling herself out of her trance. Penny felt her eyes traveling up and down her body slowly, taking in every inch of her. “I never should have made such a big deal about us dieting together to look amazing. You took it way more seriously than I did. You’ve always looked great. You didn’t need to lose any weight. That was stupid of me.”
“No worries,” Penny said quickly, pushing away the emotional tone in her friend’s voice and her scrutiny. “It felt good to get in shape. I enjoyed it.”
“But Penny….”
“Now. Here we are.” The bartender set down two large bottles and two pint glasses with ice, interrupting their conversation. “Enjoy.” He nodded towards the drinks before focusing his blue-eyed gaze on Penny, unleashing the full force of his smile. Then, he headed down the bar to the only other customer there.
Penny’s body tingled as her stomach plummeted, leaving her almost nauseous. Unable to stop herself, she turned to follow his departure.
“I’m serious. I’m sorry.”
Penny flinched, closing her eyes for a moment before settling back in her chair. “You only wanted everything to be perfect. It’s okay. It was your wedding.” She bit her lip awkwardly as soon as that last word slipped out.
“But you were already perfect. Beautiful smile, lovely hair, gorgeous….”
“Stop,” Penny squirmed under her friend’s compliments.
“And what other friend would let themselves be hijacked at the beginning of summer when it was most assuredly not what they really wanted to do?” Bonnie had already poured a large portion of her drink into her glass. She lifted it and took three large swallows before putting it down again.
Penny felt a tinge of annoyance that was only going to grow if she didn’t do something about it. “Right, let’s just be done with that, okay? You didn’t make me do anything,” Penny said, getting tired of this train of thought. “Yes, you were very encouraging, pleading, and desperate looking, but I am my own person. And no, this isn’t what I had planned for the summer, but again, if I really, really didn’t want to come, I wouldn’t have.”
“So, you only kind of didn’t want to come?” Bonnie confirmed with a tired laugh.
“Exactly,” Penny agreed, finally taking a moment to pour her drink, watching the bubbles sparkle in the amber liquid. She gave it a tentative sniff.
“So, what did it? What was the real reason you let me talk you into coming? You wanted to take in the beauty of Ireland?”
“Well… sure. Partly,” she said with a shrug. “I mean, ever since you told me you were from here, I’ve been curious. Butyou know why I came. I came because you needed me. And because….”
“See?” Bonnie said loudly, cutting her off while slapping the wood in front of her. “Perfect.” She took another large swallow before continuing. “You are the perfect friend. And I am completely selfish. Which is probably why Felix left me.”
Penny tensed. This was what she’d been afraid of. Bonnie had used every bit of strength in her to get them there. She’d held it together, taking charge of everything from packing to navigating the airports to getting them settled. She’d kept her walls up the whole time, staying focused and in control with a smile plastered on her face. Penny knew it couldn’t last. She just hadn’t anticipated them crumbling before they got back to the house.
“That’s bullshit,” Penny snapped, her tone grabbing her friend’s attention as she’d hoped. She finally lifted her own drink, taking a sip, buying herself time as she arranged her thoughts. “You are a wonderful person. You are one of the most fabulous people I know. You are kind, generous, and generally thoughtful when you’re not in crisis mode. No one gives birthday presents like you do. It’s always the most perfect thing I didn’t even know I wanted because you pay attention to people. You are headstrong and fierce, but you’ve needed those qualities. They aren’t bad. And you are not selfish.”
“Then why did he leave me?” It was the softest, most devastated voice Penny had ever heard her use.
“I don’t know.” She leaned over, draping her arm around Bonnie, pulling her close. “I really don’t understand. He adores you.”
