Page 46 of An Irish Hope

“Like the good sister I am,” she agreed.

But the fact he wanted to spend time with her had to be a good thing, right? And seeing she couldn’t today, maybe she could make the most of tonight. “What about another round of karaoke?” she suggested.

His eyes lit. “That’s on tonight?”

“Sure is. Every Saturday, after the live band.”

“You’re going?”

“I thought it’d be fun. Especially if there was someone who would be fun to sing with. You know, who can actually sing.” She winked. “A little bit, at least.”

“Did you really mean to imply I can only sing a little bit?”

“Did I imply?” Oh banter was too easy with him.

“Now I think on it, I feel like it was definitely more than just an imply. That comment hit me in the jugular.”

She laughed, and he smiled too. And again she felt that sense of connection. A sense of connection that God was going to have to somehow foster. How could she let this man go whom she really felt attracted to?

“Well, seeing it’s my last night…”

Why did he not seem perturbed by that like she was?

“I might be persuaded to go there too.”

Good! She aimed for cool. “That’d be grand. And seeing it’s a popular night, you might want to get there early for dinner, and to enjoy the band.”

“I might, might I?”

She nodded. “Just to make sure you have a proper good time.”

“In that case, count me in.”

She beamed. Oh, she might be getting ahead of herself, but she’d squeeze every second of enjoyment in spending as much time as possible with him. And if that meant dinner then karaoke, then church tomorrow morning, then maybe lunch as well, well then she was completely okay with that. And if that meant choosing a song that might say something of how she felt, then that might be good too.

And she’d do her best to make sure he was happy too, and realise that somehow they would need to keep in touch.

* * *

“Did you enjoy that now?” Their waitress smiled at Andy as she cleared their plates.

“It was delicious, thanks.”

“And you, Ash?”

“You know I think O’Shea’s make the best apple crumble around.”

“Well, you’ll know where to come when you’re next in town,” the waitress said, stacking their plates.

Aisling glanced at him, lips pressed together, before she returned her attention to the band.

His heart tipped a little, wondering what she was thinking. He was fairly sure that expression must mean that she liked him, but sometimes she’d simply revert to tease so he was never very sure. He was sure that they were becoming friends, though, which was something at least.

Grady had called, and Andy had confessed about the last few days, before Grady had reminded him to make the most of the time left and kiss Aisling. He’d protested—he wasn’t going to kiss a woman because of a dare—but still dared wonder what it would be like. His time in west Kerry was fast speeding to a close, and yet once again he found himself caught in shifting emotions. He really wished he hadn’t answered Grady’s call.

He peeked at her again across their small table. Her gaze was on the Irish band, the traditional instrumentalists playing the bodhran, fiddle and tin whistle, and those who were singing. She peeked across, and he offered a small smile then glanced away. Too much looking at her would only lead to impossible things.

Aisling was dangerous. The more time he spent in her company, the more he could feel the boundaries of his good intentions to keep her at arm’s distance start to erode. She was a fascinating mix of fearlessness and sweet charm, laughter and thoughtfulness. He looked forward to their encounters, wondering if there’d be zest and provocation, or quietness and calm. Yet she was good for him, whatever she said tugged at him, fueling courage, reminding him of who he used to be. She was encouraging, positive, and he could feel himself falling as the strands of attraction wrapped around him.