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I arch my eyebrows. "I'm not sure. Why?" We haven't discussed leaving Ireland and moving to New York for good. And it's the first time she's mentioned the city. It's been a month since everything happened with Malachy.
She steps closer, puts her arms over my shoulders, and laces her fingers behind my neck. She rises on her tiptoes and pecks me on the lips.
I grab her ass. "Why are ya just giving me a peck? Don't I deserve more than that?"
She softly laughs. "Of course ya do, but especially if we return to New York." Her eyes twinkle.
Excitement fills my veins. I want nothing more than for Maeve to want to be in New York. Still, I'm cautious. It's a big move, so I tease, "Where's this coming from? Is there something going on in New York that ya didn't tell me about? Ya don't have another bloke there, do ya?"
She tilts her head. "Of course I don't have another bloke. That's not even funny, Tynan."
"I agree. Not funny," I state.
Her face turns serious. "Seriously though. When are we going back to New York?"
"What's the sudden rush, princess?"
"You love it there. And I miss it too."
Happiness fills me. I offer, "Okay, so ya want to go for the weekend?"
She shakes her head. "No, I want to move there."
My heart beats faster. It's what I wanted to hear. But I'm a bit surprised, so I question, "You do, huh? Why?"
"Do I have to tell ya why? You love it there, so why can't I?"
"I didn't say ya couldn't, but the last time we discussed this, ya weren't sure. It's a huge move. Is there a reason ya no longer want to be in Ireland?"
She releases me, steps back, and sits on the sofa. She pats the seat next to her.
I sit down and put my arm around her shoulders. "Talk to me, Maeve."
She opens her mouth and then shuts it, taking a deep breath.
"What's going on, baby girl?" I ask, stroking her shoulder with my thumb.
She blurts out, "I feel safer in New York."
Shock replaces my happiness. Since the night she was taken, she's only left Brody's if she's with me. I didn't realize she had worries about her security. "You've felt like you were in harm's way?"
She shakes her head and declares, "I feel safe in this house, but whenever we go anywhere, I feel like I'm always looking over my shoulder."
"New York's not any safer than here," I point out.
She shuts her eyes and squeezes them tight. "I want a new start. With you, of course," she adds, opening her eyes.
"Well, that's good. I'm glad I'm not being chucked," I tease.
She leans forward and slides her thumb over my lips. "Of course I'm not chucking ya, babes. I'd never do that."
"Well, that's good." I kiss her thumb and then move her hand away. "Ya really don't feel safe here?"
She sighs. "Maybe safe isn't the right word, but everything's been blown up—literally. I mean, Belfast is in a bad state. So is Dublin."
"Aye. But bad things happen in New York too. We can't run or hide from our problems," I assert, thinking about the conversation my dad and I had back in New York.
She lifts her chin, declaring, "I'm not running from my problems."
