Friendly.
Friends.
Crushing.
From the moment she’d walked down Triskelion’s stairs in their Oklahoma office— when her eyes had found and locked on Patrick O’Faolain —River had wanted nothing more than to be lost in that man’s intense amber gaze. Forever.
ButThat Night... Christ,That Nightwhen Patrick had trapped her body between the cold wooden door of Triskelion and his warm chest haunted River. Her feelings for Patrick had always been a buzz, tingling her nerves. After... they became a sting; uncomfortable, hot, and feverish.
Where others saw a fun-loving jokester, River had always found Patrick’s presence steady. He was certainly a man with ghosts. The O’Faolain brothers had both been marked in some way by their horrible mother. Patrick was a man who always appeared to be searching for... something. On the flip side, Patrick made her feel special. He listened when she spoke. He knew when she was being less than honest with her ready smiles and laughter. Patrick always could see...her. Why couldn’t he seethem?
That Night, as River mentally referred to it, Patrick had shown her new web page developing tools as they chatted, sitting next to one another at the bar. She’d asked him about an issue she was having with Triskelion’s contact page. Every now and again, Pat’s knee would touch her knee. His barstool would swivel that little bit too far. While she was showing him the contact problem on her phone, he rested his hand, his very large, long-fingered, warm hand on her thigh.
Never too high. Certainly, not high enough.
Each smile or slight touch lit River’s insides like wildfire. Being in love with a friend was excruciating.
They took selfies.
It felt like a date.
It wasn’t.
And then...“Have you dated anyone since you left Oklahoma?”It had taken River a moment to understand what Patrick was asking.
Pat’s normal animation had been missing. His body language was stiff. She could only look at him. Confusion had surely painted her face. It was so off-topic that River had been temporarily speechless. Why would he ask? Realization finally bloomed horribly bright. It was only a question. A query anyfriendwould ask. River imagined his discomfort was probably due to her being a female friend instead of a male.
River recalled wondering if she would ever get used to inhabiting space with her obsession. It had felt impossible then, and it felt impossible still.
River cringed as she replayed that evening. It had been wonderful, horrible, and awkward, but trumping all that, there haddefinitelybeen sexual chemistry. Maybe? River had replayed every moment fromThat Nighta million times over. No stone left unturned, so to speak. Patrick’s whole demeanorhadchanged after he’d questioned her dating. River just didn’t believe that her unrequited love for the man had skewed her perceptionthatmuch. Patrick had asked River if she’d gone on any dates. She’d answered honestly.
“No, we’ve been way too busy.” But added, so she didn’t seem so pathetic, “I’m thinking of accepting a date from a great guy who lives here in Dublin. He’s asked several times, but like I said, we’ve been swamped.”
A change of subject would benefit her sweating armpits, so River tried Raven’s trick of a rapid conversation segue. “I’m sure Bran will be staying by Raven’s side until Baby O’s arrival, but what are you and your dad thinking of doing?” There, an easy family question.
“Who’s the guy?” Patrick asked, staring intently at his whiskey on the bar.
Dog with a bone much? She was so not having a bro talk with Pat about potential dates. Offense then. “Jesus, Pat, like you care. Move on. I’m not discussing my love life tonight.”
Patrick jerked his head up and gave her a weird look before turning his attention back to the bar top. He shot back his Jameson Cask Mate, visibly trying to shake off ‘a mood.’ Men— did they have monthlies like women? And when in the hell did she start sounding like Nan?
The rest of the evening went well, with overly descriptive speculations about Bran and Raven’s bedroom gymnastics (thanks to Jo), Triskelion, and Jo’s plans for the rest of her stay. The evening ended up being lovely despite pining for the guy sitting at her side.
It would get easier to enjoy Pat’s presence once River mastered her feelings. Or rather, mastered hiding them from herself.
After a few more drinks, everyone was ready for bed. Jo and Honey— why start calling the man Thomas when Honey Bunny was so precious— headed to their hotel.
River said her goodbyes, told Pat she’d see him tomorrow, and started walking to the flat. She needed to remember to keep a smile on her face when she told Rowan how great the evening had been.
It took River a moment to realize that Pat was a step behind her on the sidewalk. Slowing, she glanced back and asked Patrick what he was doing.
“Walking you home.”
Okay... “Good grief, Pat. Don’t go out of your way for me. I know where I live. It’s only two blocks over. Head on to your hotel. I’ll see you tomorrow.” River smiled and gave a goofy half-wave.
Stubborn O’Faolain. “I’ll see you home. No one should walk alone unless they have to.” He then doubled down by moving to her side and putting his arm around her waist. Tingles shot up her spine.
Thoughtful. So friendly and thoughtful. That’s Patrick. In no time, they reached her door. With keys at the ready, she unlocked the heavy door, ready to shove it open. River glanced back to tell Patrick goodnight— again. The words stuck in her throat.
