Page 17 (1/1)

Before he closes the door behind him, he sticks his head back in "I wouldn’t drink that cold tea if I were you She’s been hiding the pot in her closet since last Tuesday"

The door shuts on ht

It’s dark when Ithe sht have started off on the disconcerting side, but it rallied as soon as I got to Dalkey Castle By chance, I’d wandered into a live shohere actors, dressed in authentic Medieval garb, pretend to be castle workers fro, I’d stayed for a second show The illusion was shattered afterhen I saw the actors sharing a joint and talking on iPhones behind the theater, but hey, it was fun while it lasted

After grabbing a quick lunch, I’d spent soe Center I couldn’t wait to talk to Ginger and tell her what I found As soon as I get toto throw o is six hours behind Dublin, she’ll still be working at Sneaky Peet’s, her furniture shop in Wicker Park, but maybe I can catch her in between customers

Through the glass of the front door, I take a second to watch Shane as he serves a group of young female custoe, probably not even realizing what a panty-soaker thatit twice as effective As soon as he turns his back, one of the manicured hands to their chests as if he’s walked aith their still-beating hearts I’ht, at least I don’t think so, but so that won’t go ahen I s Never having been jealous a day in my life, at least not over a boy, I can’t put a na it over Shane

If its co to worry about here

As valiantly as I’ve tried to ignore Shane’s proposition thisin my head all damn day At first, they’d nicked my feminine pride a little Weren’t boys supposed to at least bullshit you a little about wanting forever? Evan hadn’t wasted ame the moon on a silver platter One ti and watching football with his buddies, he’d drunkenly started na our future children Back then, it had scared the shit out of y, or entrance strategy, depending on how you look at it, bestowing ais a comfort It had merely been talk, while Shane’s indecent proposal required a decision in the here and now I thought I’dhih, the more it appeals A lot

We are obviously attracted to one another Neither one of us wants or is available for any kind of ht had perrown-up, no-strings-attached fling, just waiting to happen? I’ve never been in this position before It’s entirely possible that this confusion and anger Shane provokes in me is…lust? Pure, undiluted, want-to-rip-his-clothes-off lust

Maybe I’ve been so worried aboutwrapped up without someone else’s so soon after Evan, I’ve placed tooto wonder if the best course of action isn’t just to say yes to his proposition and get it over with Scratch the itch Once it’s done, I can e that I’m in control of my own destiny and not every e me, or put so sleeping with Shane

After all, what’s the worst that could happen? I’ the idea around, right?

With ed firmly between my shoulders, I push open the door to the Clayht, there is a decent crowd Most of the bar is full and half the tables are scattered with elasses as custo even louder A Stone Roses song is playing, blurring all the conversations into one The s to beco aze warm me on the spot, like that instant where you step underneath the shower spray in theIt wakes h, I don’t avoid his stare, I meet it head-on Elbow propped on the bar as he chews on a cocktail straw, he narrows his eyes a little when he registers nore hih the bar without acknowledging hi scared

Slowly, he nods at me I nod back, and just like that, soh I have no idea as said I need a decoder ring with this freaking guy

I’h the pub when my phone buzzes in my pocket My step falters, and I frown No one should be callingthe States using a prepaid calling card to avoid any expensive fees Basically I’ve only been using it to check the ti , my instincts start to tumble in my stomach, like a dryer with tennis shoes inside

"Derek?"

"Willa" My worry plummets when I hear the astonished joy in his voice It’s so uncharacteristic for him, I double-check to ht you"

"What is it? Is…is Ginger okay?"

"She’s wonderful She’s… God, she’s perfect" For a second, he doesn’t speak and I get the sense he’s actually choked up "The baby ca"

"What?" My heart shoots up into er wasn’t due for another month I-is the baby okay?"

"She’s beautiful Healthy" A short pause "We na unchecked down my cheeks My sister and I have idolized Dolly Parton as far back as I can remember We claiet older, I realize that’s only a fraction of it Dolly grew up in one-room shack in our home state of Tennessee without a dollar to her nah it reer, I think we use Dolly as an example of what’s possible for us, no er wanted to be the one to tell you the baby’s na now I don’t think she’ll be up for the call for hours I thought you’d want to know right away"

"I did I do" Shock, happiness…and an overwhel sense of disappointment take me over now that the initial relief has passed Disappointer Disappoint my oounds like a selfish brat when I should be with the only fa is selfish in itself I know this But the bitterness won’t stop I take a deep breath, trying to focus on the fact that h it no worse for wear "That’s areat father"