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Just curious, my ass.Daire wasn’t “just curious” about anything without a motive.
“What about you?” I said.
“Nothing set in stone.” When he smirked, I shook my head.
Daire didn’t offer himself up to hang out, and after his reaction when I’d brought up having dinner together, the last thing I wanted to do was scare him off. Not after how perfect the last few hours had been.
Perfect, but fragile. I expected this happy bubble to pop any second.
“If I wasn’t around,” Daire said, his finger making slow circles on the top of his mug, “what would you be doing today?”
Did hewantto spend more time with me, and this was his way of hinting about it? I had a couple of places I’d wanted to check out this weekend, but they were so not up Daire’s alley. He’d probably wrinkle his nose up or laugh, the same as my brother did when I brought up what I collected.
When I didn’t answer, still trying to come up with an alternative, Daire said, “Is it a secret, or you just don’t wanna tell me?”
Was that a tinge ofhurtI heard behind his words? Like I was purposely keeping him out of the loop because I didn’t think he deserved to know?
After opening up to me about his abandonment, the last thing I wanted to do was make him think he wasn’t welcome. Especially when the truth was that I never wanted him to leave my side.
“No, it’s nothing like that,” I reassured him. “But you can’t make fun of me for it.”
“Why would I make fun of you?”
“Van thinks it’s weird.”
“So? Van’s weird.”
“Well…” I wouldn’t argue that. My brother’s first date with Kelly had been at a porn shoot, for God’s sake. “I like to go to antique shops sometimes.”
Daire didn’t even blink, just cocked his head to the side.
“I collect compasses,” I said quickly before he could respond. “I like vintage ones, the older the better, and I—” I bit down on my lip and shrugged. “They’re just my thing.”
“Huh.” Daire drummed his fingers along the counter and looked at me like he was trying to figure out my life’s secrets. “That’s not what I thought you were going to say.”
The intensity of his stare had me shifting in my seat and second-guessing myself. “The shops give me some ideas for interior design too, like how to incorporate classic styles with themore modern pieces today.” I cleared my throat. “But I do other things too. You know, hustle and run at the pool halls.”
I expected Daire to laugh at that, but instead he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter. “Don’t do that. If it’s something you like, own it. Who gives a fuck what anyone else thinks?”
Heat crept into my face, not from embarrassment or irritation at his words, but because he was right. WhydidI care what anyone thought? Everyone collected something, right? Maybe even stranger things than what I did.
“You’re right,” I said, straightening my shoulders. “My name is Gavin, and I collect old-ass compasses.”
Thathad his lips twitching, and he nodded.
“Better.”
“Thank you.” What was it about Daire that made me feel stronger and more secure? He could’ve easily made fun of me, but he’d chosen to empower me instead, and he probably didn’t even realize it. He thought he was a bad guy, but he completely blocked out the moments like this when he proved he wasn’t.
“Wanna show me?” he said.
My eyes widened. “Seriously? You’d want to go with me?”
“Yeah.”
My stomach flipped, and I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. The fact that he was interested, that he wanted to know more and actually spend time with me, blew my mind. And also showed how little I’d been willing to settle for with the guys from my past.
“Then you’d better put some clothes on, Mr. Connery, or I’m not sure I’ll be able to take you anywhere.”
