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"It’s not the shagging that bothers ree to drop that word"

Faith frowns "Fine It’s not the fu--"

"And back to shagging"

We reach the edge of Merrion Square Park and begin walking down a pathway leading us farther into the grassy field Absently, I notice the park is way more packed than usual, but I chalk it up to the rare sunshine Faith has gone quiet beside me, for once, so I focus on her "What part of it does bother you?"

"It’s just that I like you some a hesitant look "Since I can re It’s his life So else"

Without looking, I toss e can "I appreciate your concern, but I don’t need him to make room"

"Do you have room, Willa?"

I s hard, unnerved by the question "For what?"

She opens herbehindsmile confirms the newcomers’ identities, so I don’t even need to turn around to know its Patrick and Brian "I thought ere going shopping," I stage-whisper to Faith

"You oweany attention tohtly as Faith floats pastjust in time to see her throw her ar hi over his shoulder And there certainly won’t be any shagging if Shane finds out I just escorted his little sister to a date with a pickpocket There’ll be a lot of glaring, followed by so their hug, Patrick rolls his eyes conspiratorially at rin plastered to his face "Fancyyou two doves here"

"You expect me to believe this is a coincidence?"

Brian tucks Faith into his side "It’s no coincidence Yous two are here to serve as our cheerleaders"

Patrick laughs at my lost expression "The Street Performer World Championship is on today in the park Did you not wonder at all the people ht they were here for the sun," I respond lae white tents just beyond the trees, the pu in the distance "Does this , hopefully," Brian chih you could say I’ve already wonthe family name, brother," he says

It occurs to , Brian would have needed Faith’s phone nuressed further than I’d thought I’ll need to keep an eye on that, I think, before I re the tug in uess I can overlook the fact that I was lured away from my laundry under false pretenses and stick around for the show I forgot h kicks and all’s forgiven," Patrick says, patting e off ahead of us, plastered to one another’s side, and Patrick and I follow at a slower pace I’ duped As we get closer to the busker’s stage where Brian and Patrick will perform, I’ht even have a beer to celebrate this new, easygoing Willa I see into

Patrick burass "What was that?"

"Did I overhear that so a palm to my forehead

"I know it’s not hter races up my throat "Sorry to hear that"