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The next day passed by slowly. I had a cleaning job in the morning, but I had most of the afternoon free. I spent the time with Emma, but I kept looking at the clock and thinking about my plans for the night. I packed up an overnight bag for Emma that was far too overstuffed, but I didn’t really know what Irma might need. Eventually, the shop closed downstairs and I lugged the bag downstairs while my daughter held my hand. Irma was downstairs waiting, her enthusiasm palpable.
I wasn’t sure if she was looking forward to spending the night with Emma or about hearing how my night went tomorrow.
“Ready to meet my kitties?” she asked. She held out her hand and Emma took it.
“Yes! I can’t wait to pet them,” Emma said, her tone very serious. “We’re still making cookies though too, right?”
I chuckled. That was my daughter, through and through. Always worried about the sweets.
“Of course. I got everything to make the peanut butter ones just like you wanted,” Irma reassured her.
“Good,” Emma nodded.
“You enjoy your night, Leah,” Irma waggled her eyebrows and I blushed hard.
“I will.”
Irma picked up Emma and put her in the stroller. She lived around the block in a townhouse close by.
“Call me if you need anything at all, Irma,” I exclaimed a bit worriedly.
“We’ll be just fine. Don’t worry about us, sweetheart,” she called back.
I watched them leave for a minute, feeling a little bit uneasy while also excited about having a night to myself. I wrung my hands in front of me. I hadn’t really been separated from Emma like this for very long. I took a deep breath, telling myself she was in safe hands. When they were out of sight, I sighed, turned around, and headed back upstairs.
I tore through my closet looking for something to wear and I eventually settled on a pretty green blouse with embroidered flower details and a black skirt that fell to just above my knees. I had a cute pair of kitten heels to pair with it. I’d found everything at a thrift store some time ago and hadn’t had an occasion to wear it until now.
I spent some time doing my makeup. I kept it pretty light, but I focused on creating a brown-hued smoky eye that brought attention to my green irises. I put a little bit of blush on my cheeks and a little bit of powder to set things, but when I pulled back and looked at myself in the mirror, I was pretty happy with what I saw.
I hoped that maybe Kieran would like it too.
If he was even there…
I shook my hands nervously and checked my outfit in the mirror for what felt like the thousandth time before I grabbed my dark navy plaid pea coat and slipped it over my shoulders. With a deep breath, I headed out and locked the door behind me, tucking my keys into a small wristlet I carried along with me.
My stomach growled as I walked, and I hoped that Murphy’s Grill and Pub had something tasty to eat. With every step, I grew more nervous, and I almost turned back several times, but before I knew it, I was standing outside of the bar. The crowd looked lively inside from what I could see through the windows. The lights were on the dimmer side, but the tables were full, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
I almost lost my nerve again, but then I saw a glimpse of a familiar-looking face back at the bar. It was Kieran and he was serving someone a beer.
Maybe he did work here after all.
Feeling a bit braver now, I opened the door and walked inside. The bell above the door trilled and Kieran’s face glanced toward me. Our eyes met and a warmth passed through me. I swallowed nervously. A grin broke out over his face as he slid a mug down the bar to a waiting hand. He nodded to another bartender beside him and whispered something quietly to him. The man looked like one of the brothers I’d seen in the picture I’d found of him, but I wasn’t certain.
I nearly turned back around and walked out the door, but something stopped me. Maybe it was the excited gleam in Kieran’s eyes when he’d seen me or maybe it was something else, but when he looked back at me, I felt brave once again.
I didn’t run. Instead, I waited.
Kieran rounded the bar and headed toward me. I didn’t move, plastered in place by the massive man walking straight for me.
“Leah,” he greeted. For the briefest of seconds, he glanced down at my outfit. I saw him swallow as he took in my bare legs, and he quickly jerked his gaze upward to mine. Maybe he was interested after all…
“What brings you here?” he asked. He was smiling, which I took as a good sign.
“I heard the food and drink here is especially good from a reliable source,” I grinned.
“I bet I know the source,” he chuckled. He reached for me and guided me forward with his hand on my upper back. Just that simple touch was enough to cause a feverish surge through me and I tried to ignore it, but it only grew stronger.
“You probably do,” I blushed.
