“Yes.”
“I can appreciate that you know so much about me, that you’re as invested in our friendship as I am. And I won’t deny that you’re fairly accurate in most areas of my life, though I can’t imagine how you figured out I’m not in school and why I moved.”
“I teach at Trinity, and I happened to speak to one of your professors weeks ago, and I asked after you. As far as your reasons for moving, when we first met, you told me that yourfriend’s father bought the townhouses for his family and their friends to live in while they were in school.”
She really needed to get a handle on oversharing. It was truly coming back to bite her in the ass.
“Fine, but what you haven’t considered is that I have a roof over my head.”
“Barely.”
Ignoring him, she continued. “I do have access to a restroom, and my gym has a shower. I work more than one job because fabric and embroidery thread aren’t cheap, and to make money, you have to spend money. I believe in myself and know I will succeed. My living arrangements are temporary. I have food to eat?—”
“Debatable.”
“If there were ever a true emergency, I do have friends to call. I proved that tonight, and thank you profusely. I would sacrifice just about anything to not burden my parents. You don’t know them, but they are everything that is love and security to me.
“You let the attic situation freak you out, but I promise that this is only a season in my journey. I put money in my account tonight for the first time in forever. I bought a gorgeous dress for tomorrow night, which you aren’t going to get out of taking me to, because I so want a night out, and that isn’t solely because of Jonathan.
“I’ll let you buy me the most expensive rum and Coke the bar can provide. I did find out that the guests are supposed to pay a thousand pounds per plate, but I already worked that out. I kept enough money out from my check to make us dinner before we go.
“I already let Bébhinn know that they could sit us at the bar or out of the way of the dinner tables. We’ll still have so much fun, and I swear I’m not a bad cook.”
Eze let silence fill the room for several moments. “I already called and purchased our spots. I called the elder facility and let them know you wouldn’t be in tomorrow morning. I will cover your shift at the chippers.
“You will rest and recuperate and let Jol pamper you tomorrow. You will move into the extra room here until you’ve saved enough to find a place of your own. With running water and a bed,” he stressed.
“No. No way. You are my friend, Eze, but I’m not your responsibility. I refuse.” She felt destined to surround herself with men whose overflowing testosterone was deadly.
“We are friends. I knew your finances were strained, but not to the extent they are now. That is easily remedied. You can keep the gallery space for your work. Living here will afford you a level of comfort and safety. And food.
“Either do what I ask of you and keep your life private, or I will tell your parents and friends.”
Mags watched in horror as he crossed his behemoth arms over his chest, reminding her so much of Gray’s father in that moment it felt like déjà vu. Stubborn men. Soft-spoken Eze was railroading her, giving her nothing but granite eyes and stonewall expressions.
She sat up and tugged the lapels of her robe tight, regretting the tug against her ribs immediately, but damned if she would let even the smallest whimper pass her lips. “You’re being unreasonable.”
“You’ll still be running yourself ragged. You’ll still be working an unseemly amount of hours. Your goal of becoming famous for your embroidery is still in place. The only difference is that you’ll have a place to lay your head at night.”
If she argued further, which she wanted to, it would seem petty and childish. Worse, it would be foolish. “Fine. I accept…gratefully.” Eze’s lips tilted into almost a smile at that.
“But I’m going to the gallery to work tomorrow. I have a few adjustments to make to my dress as well. Also, if I’m staying here for a short while, I will help cook and clean.”
Jol, who happened to be quietly moving through the living room at the time, said “No,” before retiring to the back.
eleven
JONATHAN
Jonathan’s phonestarted pinging with notifications the moment he exited a meeting at Three Wolves Distillery and switched his phone off silent.
He glanced at Daniel, who was getting the same notifications. He pulled up his texts and saw that there were already about ten messages in their mutual friend group, with more coming. The first was from Mags. Why the hell did his chest squeeze uncomfortably?
He’d felt her distance before, but ever since their get-together at Murphy’s, he was positive her emotional distance was personally directed at him.
Mags: Don’t panic, friends. I’ll still make it to the charity tonight. I will be sporting a few bruises, unfortunately.
Jonathan felt ghost fingers gripping and squeezing his throat. It hurt to swallow, and his ears and cheeks felt hot.
