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He turns to smile at his wife and takes her hand "We're from California This is actually our delayed honeyot etting around to it"

"That's awesoht?"

The wife laughs "That's right Kevin proo and here we are How did you come to be here?"

There is no way I a to tell this lovely family the entire tale of woes that befellsome time to find myself and decided Dublin was the place to do it Luckily, inally froave me a job"

"Dublin is a great city We've really enjoyed our time here"

We chat for a few more gle that tries to slip out of my mouth when the husband orders a Smithwick's and pronounces it incorrectly

"Ah yer a true Yank," I tell hi to i here calling it Smithwick's before someone kindly filled me in that it's pronounced 'Smitt-icks' My Uncle Keefe still teases me to this day

The husband laughs with good nature "Appreciate the heads up Smitt-icks it is!"

Shooting the family a wink, I head off to fill their drink order If the rest of the night goes like this first table, it's going to be a pleasant night indeed

I bring change to a table of college students and give the as how Section One is at the front of the pub and where the less rowdy patrons tend to hang

Heading toward the back, I track down Maureen to see if she needs help

"Sure do," she sighs "The party in the back doesn't show any signs of slowin' and I could use an extra pair of hands"

Helping her load up her tray and mine with drinks, we make our way back to the party When we enter, it's wall-to-wall people and I have to do h the crowd as I follow Maureen in It's noisy between the jukebox in the corner playing and the roar of over fifty drunken Irish laughing and telling stories

We est crowd seeated I smile as Maureen yells at theht"

Bodies shuffle out of the way, and one drunken fool actually falls on his ass I give him a sympathetic smile and someone helps him to his feet

Now that the way is paved clear to the table, I lowermy free hand to pull the pints off the tray and set theoers and assume they'll take whichever beer is theirs

Just as I reeous"

That voice

It couldn't be not after all these years Gentle Irish brogue, words coated in silky butter

Could it be?

Slowly, I lift my eyes to the man who just spoke and I' at er on the top and stylishly spiked in a dozen different directions Two hoop piercings grace his botto side by side He looks different, but the sahtly older, definitelywith sensuality

Cillian O'Bradaigh

"You're welcoe to squeak out and reach to pick up my tray

His hand snakes out and wraps around o yet, darlin' Stay and have a drink with us"

My heart calnizenext to hi, dark hair that flon her back and her arht against hi daggers aton to me

"U, but enjoy your beer"