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“I’m glad you’re here.”
He looked up at me again and frowned. “Are you okay, darlin’?”
The lump in me throat kept me from speaking, so I smiled and nodded.
“I’m knackered. Off to shower and bed.”
“Good night, sweet girl.”
“Night, Da.”
After a long hot shower where I broke down into a fit of tears, I slipped on panties, long yoga pants, and a tank top. Pulling the covers back, I slipped under them, pulled them to me chin and let meself cry once more. Then I’d be done. I wasn’t going to let a man make me feel this way…no matter how much his kiss burned.
A week had passed since the kiss. The kiss that had consumed me every thought. Last minute things had to be done with the Aisling to get it ready for opening night. I was a nervous wreck and it felt like me da and me had switched places. He was newly calm about everything.
“Calm yourself, Maebh. The place looks amazing. You’ve done a fine job.”
“I need a shot of whiskey,” I mumbled.
He chuckled and reached instead for a bottle of wine. “Sit down. Let’s have a glass.”
I looked around again. “Maybe I should check the kitchen again.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Maebh, you’ve hired Eric to run the kitchen. The lad knows what he’s doing.”
I sighed and sank into a chair. We opened in a few hours, and I knew me da was right. Eric Riley was one of the best culinary chefs in Europe. When I approached him about opening an Irish restaurant in America, he was all for it. Then I told him it was near the small town me ma had grown up in. The country. He laughed for about an hour, then finally said it was an adventure he wouldn’t turn down.
“Jonathon did a good job, didn’t he?”
I smiled. “He did. Waylynn’s very lucky to have him.”
Me da grinned. “You’ve got some good friends, Maebh.”
I’d become closer to Waylynn, Harley, Amelia, Paxton, and Corina. They were all amazing and so in love. A part of me was envious of them all. I wanted to find love. To have someone hold me when I drifted off to sleep and wish me a good morning when I woke up. Someone to share me dreams and fears.
“Corina and Mitchell won’t be here tonight. They’ll be home with baby Merit.”
Me da smiled. He loved babies, and I knew he was counting down the days for me to pop out one or two.
“The poor thing. The last time I saw her she looked ready to pop.”
I giggled. “The baby was a few weeks early, but they’re all doing fine. Merit’s a cute name.”
He nodded.
Eric walked out from the kitchen area and into the main dining room.
“Are we good to go for tonight?” I asked, me fingers rubbing me temples.
“Stop worrying that pretty little head of yours, Maebh.”
I forced a smile. Eric was older than me by ten years. He was still single and if I had a dollar for the number of times he’d asked me out I’d be opening another restaurant next to this one.
“You’ll let me know if there are any problems?” I asked.
“Yes. Now stop worrying.” He turned to me da. “Aedin, make your daughter relax, will you?”
“I’ve given her wine.”
Eric shook his head. “Hell, give the lass a full bottle of whiskey. That’s what she needs.”
Me da shook his head. “She needs to have a clear mind. Maebh, go take a hot bath and get ready. Before you know it, it’ll be time and you need to be relaxed and ready to go.”
I wanted to argue, but instead I rolled me eyes and made me way up the stairs and through the door that led to me apartment. The third floor of the building held the main living, a bathroom, and a bedroom with a bath for me da. The fourth floor was me office, bedroom, and a beautiful spa-like bathroom that Jonathon had designed. Plus, I had a small staircase that led to the rooftop. There was also a staircase from the second story of Aisling that led to the roof that would someday host private parties, but for now it was all mine.
I went to the bathroom and ran the hot water for a bath. When I slipped into the tub, I let out a contented sigh. This felt lovely. I closed me eyes and let meself completely relax. When the dream of Cord kissing me jolted me awake, I groaned and scrubbed me hands over my face.
“Shite,” I whispered.
I got out of the now-cold bath and quickly set about getting meself ready for the grand opening. Me hands would shake each time I thought about it. Everyone would be there. Melanie told me Cord closed his bar and was planning on being there as well. I smiled thinking back to a few weeks ago when she asked me what was the best Irish butter to buy. I hadn’t thought much about it until this moment.
