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Nina disappears upstairs, leaving Jack and me alone in the living room. I take in as many details as I can. The décor is eclectic and sophisticated and cozy all at once. There are two slate-graycouches that look more comfortable than any bed I’ve slept in over the last year. Both have more couch pillows than seems necessary, and I want to laugh when I spot a few that have tumbled to the floor along with a chunky knit throw blanket in rainbow colors. On the coffee table are heavy books about fashion and cooking along with board books likeThe Very Hungry CaterpillarandGoodnight Moon.
I feel Jack watching me when I pick up a picture frame from a side table. The photo inside is of Ollie and Jack in front of the Local. The name of the pub is spelled out in gleaming gold letters, popping against the green facade of the building. In the photo, Jack and Ollie have their arms around each other’s shoulders. They both wear wide grins as they squint into the sunlight. If I hadn’t seen this photo, I would’ve never guessed Ollie was physically capable of a smile like that.
“That was one of the best days of my life,” Jack says. It’s the first thing he’s said since Nina went upstairs.
“Why?”
He leans against the wall with a sigh. “I was twenty-two when Da died and we inherited the pub. I hadn’t seen Ollie in about fifteen years, so I ran the place myself at first. It was... overwhelming. I never thought Ollie would come home, but then he did. That’s the first day we ran the pub together.”
Fifteen years?There are so many questions I want to ask that I don’t know where to start. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
“Don’t be.”
I want to know more, but then Nina appears on the bottom step. “Bed’s all made up. I’ve left out a pair of pajamas and any toiletries you might need. There are some clothes in the drawer if there’s anything you’d like to change into tomorrow. Nothing wild. T-shirts and jeans. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t exactly strike me as a couture girl.”
“Told you she’s always prepared,” Jack says. He pushes off from the wall. “Well, I better get going. It was nice to meet you, Raine. Think about that job, yeah? I hope you’ll say yes, but I understand if you can’t. Stop by the pub tomorrow and let me know. Either way, I’ll be happy to see you. Just give me a heads-up before you come over.”
“Okay, yeah. I’ll stop by either way.”
When our eyes meet, I feel like there’s something more I want to say, but I’m not sure what. He clears his throat and looks away, then waves goodbye to me and Nina after he’s tugged on his boots. Just as he reaches for the door, I call out, “Wait! You never gave me your number.”
Jack pauses. He pulls out his phone and types a message. “Now I have,” he says, shooting me one last smile before shutting the door behind him.
A second later, my phone buzzes.
Unknown number
This is Jack
I save his number as a contact. I feel Nina’s eyes on me and realize I’m smiling to myself, so I pocket my phone without replying.
“Have you ever heard of the Drunken Joey?” she asks.
“The what?”
She waves a hand. “It’s a cocktail. I’ll make you one. You look like you could use another drink.”
When I head upstairs two hours later, I’m more than a little tipsy. Halfway through our second drink, Ollie returned home, and listening to his and Nina’s stories about life working on yachts was just the distraction I needed. Even so, all night my mind kept drifting to Jack.
I change into the pajamas Nina lent me, then flop onto the bed and reread his message, smiling to myself as I type out a reply.
Raine
I don’t think the most professional future coworker I’ll ever have would use emojis.
I’m surprised when he replies right away.
Jack
So, I’m your future coworker?
Even though I’m not sure how it’ll work, I don’t feel ready to leave Cobh just yet. I want to find my things if I can. I like Nina and Ollie and Jack. And I really could use a bit of a break from the hostels and trekking to new cities. Not a long one. It would only be for a little while, like Jack said, and if I have to get stuck anywhere for a few months, I’d much rather be stuck here than at home.
I type a reply to Jack, then delete it, then type it again and hit send before I can change my mind.
Raine
If I can find a place to live, then yes.
