“What’s the matter?” she asked when he put it down.
“Christy didn’t show up for work, and it’s busy.”
“Is that your problem?” she asked innocently.
His smile was tight, unlike the relaxed look he had just moments ago. “Unfortunately, yes. I’m not just a bartender. I’m also the manager.”
“Oh,” she nodded her head understandingly as her mutinous lips formed a pout.
She felt his fingers lifting her chin until she was swimming in his eyes again. “Want to come with me? Hopefully, I’ll only have to work for a little bit. Catch them up. Then I’ll be okay.”
Again, she found herself speechless in his gaze. She bobbed her head as an answer.
“Great. Drink up!”
They’d just ordered a third round. She’d already warned herself to slow her pace. Her gin was a lot stronger than his stout. But now, she didn’t really have much of a choice. She threw it back just as he downed his pint.
“Come on, then. We’ll grab a taxi.”
He reached for her hand, guiding her in hurried steps through the crowd that had grown thicker since their arrival.
Penny was surprised to find it was now dark out, and the light mist had turned into a more persistent rain.
“This way,” he said, steering her towards the taxi stand. “Quick, inside.” He opened the door for her, waiting until she’d folded herself in, then shut the door securely before hopping in on the other side.
It was only a matter of minutes before they were outside Clint’s. Seamus once again opened the door and helped her out. Then they were pressed into the crowd of a different bar.
She watched him take in the scene, scanning the bar for an empty stool, then grunting when he saw there weren’t any. His eyes fell down, perusing her once more, slowly taking in her wet clothes clinging to her body.
“Let’s get you set up over by the fire, okay?” he asked.
“Sounds good,” Penny said, nodding emphatically as she wrapped her arms around herself. She had at least worn a long-sleeved dress made of a thicker material. It had seemed warm enough at the time. Now wet from the rain, it held her tighter in its cold embrace.
Shoving his way through the crowd, he made a path for her. Grabbing a more comfortable chair on his way, he placed it in front of a tiny, abandoned table next to the fire.
“I’ll bring you a hot port as soon as I can,” he called out as he disappeared back into the crowd.
Penny didn’t really mind being left alone. There was so much to watch, and she knew she’d be entertained. She saw a musician on the stage and perked up. Could it be? But no, it wasn’t Finn. Still, he had a nice voice. A soothing voice.
A drink materialized in front of her.
“Seamus told me to drop this over to you,” a bartender she didn’t recognize said, already leaving by the time she turned to face him.
It was a lovely drink, warm, just like the fire, spiced and a little sweet. She found her eyes getting heavy with the comfort of the crackling flames next to her and the singer’s voice lulling her to sleep.
Chapter 8
She was here again, still in this dream world of soft pillows and sheets, warm blankets, and the patter of rain against the window. Every morning seemed to start with recollecting where she was and how she’d gotten there. Only this time, she really couldn’t remember.
She’d been at the bar, waiting for Seamus, and then….
“Oh, no,” she mumbled, realizing she must have fallen asleep.
Did he drop her home after? He must have, she thought as mortification took hold. She must have been so tired, and possibly drunk, that she didn’t even remember going to bed.
She froze. Did anything else happen that she didn’t remember?
But no. As she finally lifted the covers and took stock, she realized she was still wearing the same dress she had worn the night before. Only her shoes had been removed.
