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And then I remember the way he fucked me bent over the kitchen counter just this afternoon, and I have to fan myself with my notepad.
“Earth to Mary Margaret,” Maeve says, waving a hand in front of my face. “You awake?”
“Sorry, yeah. What’s up?”
“Your college kids are waving you down. I’m still not convinced that one in the corner is of age.”
“He has an ID that says he’s twenty-one,” I reply with a shrug. “Doesn’t look fake.”
“If he’s old enough to shave, I’m Julia Roberts.”
“Okay, Julia, I’m off to make my rounds.” I wink at her, but before I can turn away, the phone behind the bar rings, and Keegan grabs it. Since it never rings, we all pause to hear who it is.
“And a happy day it is to hear from you, Cousin Sinead,” Keegan says with a smile. “It’s early there, isn’t it? Oh, aye.”
My brother’s accent kicks up a notch whenever he’s in Ireland or around anyone else with the same accent.
Maeve and I share a look.
“I’ll ask the family, of course. It’s two weeks, then? We’ll help you figure it out. I’ll call you in the morning. Take care now.”
Keegan hangs up and we all wait expectantly.
“What’s up in Ireland?” I ask.
“Sinead needs help. One of her employees just quit because she got married and moved to the village over, and another broke her ankle, so she can’t be on her feet. Sinead is wondering if we know of anyone over there to call. She’s exhausted all of the contacts she has and just wanted some fresh ideas. It’s a small village, you know.”
“I’ll go,” I say immediately, the idea taking shape in my head. “I don’t know what kind of help she needs, but I can do it. I’ve been wanting to go to Ireland for a while. It’ll be a nice change of scenery. Can you spare me?”
“We have Ma and Rachel,” Maeve says.
“They only need help for a couple of weeks,” Keegan adds, thinking it over. “I should be able to get by without you for that long.”
“Awesome.” I clap my hands and turn to Cam. “You can go, right? You can work from anywhere.”
“I wondered if I was invited,” he says with a grin. “Yes, I can manage that.”
“Awesome. I’ll call Sinead myself and let her know.” I sashay away, already excited by the thought of spending a couple of weeks across the pond, soaking in the air and listening to the music in the pubs.
The little inn that the family owns has the best views of the sea, and there are castle ruins nearby.
I can’t wait.
“Hey, lady,” the kid with the probable fake ID calls from across the room.
“Back to work for me,” I say as I load my tray with the drink order and make my way to the customers. “Here you go, lads. Do you want to order any food?”
“Nachos,” one says. “And maybe we should share some onion rings.”
“Junk food it is, then.” I wink and turn away just as the band starts playing one of my favorite songs. I swing over and sing with them as I make my way to the kitchen to place the food order.
I’m going to Ireland.
It’s late, half-past three, when I walk into my house. I spent some time on the phone with Sinead after we closed, and I wanted to get ahead on some inventory work because Cam and I will have to leave for Ireland in just two days.
I could have gone to Cam’s house after work, but I’m sure he’s asleep by now. Instead, I came here, to my little house that I don’t love, but which suits me just fine.
At least, the stench from the rotten food is gone.
I swing through the kitchen and set a kettle of water on the stove to boil for tea before walking back to the bedroom. I flip on the light and yelp. “Cam!”
“You’re home.”
“Why are you lurking in the dark?”
“I’m not lurking.” He laughs and stands before crossing to me. He’s in sweatpants and no shirt—muscles on full, glorious display.
“I knew you’d come here rather than my place,” he says and rubs his hands up and down my arms. “I didn’t know when you’d be back, so I came to bed.”
“Did I wake you?”
“No.” He kisses my forehead just as the kettle starts to whistle. “Let’s go make your tea.”
“I’m gonna change really quick,” I inform him. “Right behind you.”
“Take your time,” he replies as he walks toward the kitchen.
Okay, I’m glad he’s here. I don’t like sleeping without him. I end up tossing and turning. And why shouldn’t I be with him, when he’s clearly more than happy to sleep with me?
I change into more comfortable clothes and then join Cam in the kitchen.
He’s already poured the water and dunked my favorite tea in it.
