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She shouldn’t be here She’s the only one, aside frous, who can put me in the Green when the boathering courage "Hello, River" A dainty hand stretches out toward me and I’m compelled to take it, to hold it "I’m Amber" She blinks several ti at the corners "I needed to say thank you" The words she doesn’t say out loud hang between us as a tear spills down her cheeks

Bloody hell I can’t have this girl crying at the bar without raising questions Maybe I should lead her to the back, where there’s privacy

A few irritated plucks of a guitar announce that Collin is now i obnoxious soon, and probably draw attention to the crying A I can think to do I reach out with my free hand and steal the tear withher knuckles with a brief kiss before freeingit on the bar in front of her "Selma!"

I pour Collin’s pint while Amber tries to co at the corners of her eyes with a napkin from the bar

Selma swoops in with her tray not ten seconds later

"That one’s for Collin Get it to him first so he’ll shut up"

I can hear the s out new drink orders froive allup atarain, at least "How are you enjoying Ireland so far?" It’s a stupid question to ask her, all things considered, but it’s all I can think of

A slight frown furrows her smooth skin, even as she smiles "Good Fine Well, to be honest, I haven’t really been anywhere since" She ss hard and averts her gaze around us "since I got here" She shrugs in a "you knoay

Anger boils inside irl’s holiday is probably ruined She’s forever going to remember Ireland for a pipe boone ho a whiff of spicy floral perfume "What happened that day? That was one in a million You should be more worried about our transit systeeous s on each cheek "I believe you Those double-decker buses rab the drink orders from the printer and lay them out She quietly watches me fill two pints and set theet ya?"

"I actually--" She cuts herself off, hesitates, and then, looking around, makes a decision Her voice drops and she leans in "I have a few questions" She rushes to add, "Just for me I just need to talk to someone about what happened And you’re the only one I can do that with"

Of course she has questions What the hell aus, I’d either yell at her or throw out a few choice innuendos that would ust and run away But I don’t have the heart to do either "I only have one question," I counter, stalling

She waits, her eyes widening, worrywith curiosity

"Will it be Guinness or Smithwick’s?"

"Oh" She s "My friendsfan"

"You tried it in Alass "Take a seat then"

She does, perching herself on a stool, her gaze taking everything in Collin tests a few notes on his har to play real Irish music? I’ve heard places like this usually do"