Blair: Exactly! I don’t have time to waste on going out with someone I’ll never see again.
Gray: When I get home, I’ll help you babysit your green babies. Dad said he didn’t want you sleeping in the back garden anymore.
She laughed, knowing the rant that was sure to follow that comment.
Mags: I swear to God, between Uncle Colly and your dad, Gray, I’m going to lose my shit. I’m going to invite our sister to visit. Mirren is excellent at finding their hidden cameras. I’m tired of those two overprotective wingnuts spying on us.
Ciar: You girls need spying on.
Mags: And with that, I’m out.
Gray: Off to work.
Blair: See you soon, Bébhinn.
That conversation had taken place the night before. Her friends wouldn’t have been worried because her mom would have let them know she was safe. She was about to text the group when her phone dinged.
Ciar: Hey, Bébhinn. Figured you’re on the ferry. I forgot to tell you that Uncle Cormac and I are throwing my old man a birthday party tomorrow night at the pub. Hope you can make it.
She sighed. She would prefer not to go out, but she would never miss something to do with Ciar’s family.
Bébhinn: Sounds like fun. Maybe the girls and I can make his favorite soda bread biscuits with extra currants.
Blair: We knew you’d say that and made up a big batch today.
Gray: We knew you had a family lunch and would be tired. We put your name on it.
Mags: We even made a small tin for Ciar since they’re his favorite too.
Ciar: Damn. Score! I’m not sharing with my roommates.
Daniel: Dick.
Jonathan: I’ll ask Auntie Raven to make me some. Mom should never attempt baking.
Daniel: I want some, too, since it’s MY mom making them.
Bébhinn: Thanks, guys. I am worn out. BUT I DID IT! See you all soon.
Before she could add anything else, her phone pinged again but not from the group chat. “No way,” she said, sipping her iced tea and staring at the name on her screen. She almost didn’t want to open it in case it was bad news like, “Hey, glad we shared a cave, but lose my number,” or something equally as bad.
Dagr: Did you make it to the ferry on time? I just got to my flat in Carmarthenshire. I’m meeting Dad for dinner and then heading to London tomorrow.
Devastation avoided. He wasn’t friendship breaking up with her. She couldn’t explain it, but meeting Dagr Griffiths felt destined, and even if he wasn’t interested in her the way she wished, friendship was enough. It would be nice to have a friend that no one else knew.
Who knew she’d be so drawn to an older man. Maybe she was more like her mother than she thought. She needed to play this cool. She didn’t believe he was interested in her the same way—though she hoped she might grow on him—so she couldn’t scare him off with being too exuberant at hearing from him.
Bébhinn: I made it.
twenty-seven
DAGR
I made it.What did that mean? Had he irritated her by texting so soon?Damn. Damn. Damn.Dagr knew he should have waited a few days, but he couldn’t help the impulse to see what she was doing.
Dagr: Oh, good.
Please, Samsung gods, set my phone on fire.What was he, twelve? A charging American grizzly bear couldn’t have taken his eyes from the screen when he saw dots appear, letting him know she was responding.
