“I know that,” she says, waving me off. “How did it go in Seattle a few weeks ago when you got to see Lexi?”
I press my lips together and stare at her.
“I knew this weird mood had to do with her.”
“I’m not in a bloody weird mood.”
“Did it not go well? Was she not excited to see you? You haven’t talked about how you left things before, so maybe it was uncomfortable and awkward?”
“You should be a writer,” I mumble, deadpan. “You have a great imagination.”
“I wouldn’t have to use my imagination if you’d just tell me what happened.”
I walk into the living room and over to the windows that look out to the ocean and shove my hands into my pockets.
It’s true, I have been working like crazy since that night a couple weeks ago with Lexi. But I’ve also spent plenty of time standing right here, staring out at the waves.
I turn around to find Maggie snuggled up with Murphy on the sofa, waiting patiently for me to open up to her.
Maybe talking it out would help, because keeping things to myself all this time certainly hasn’t been a cure for the post-Lexi blues.
“The meeting was good,” I begin and sit in a chair across from my sister. “We got a lot of things about the project ironed out. Lexi looked amazing, as usual. Maybe even more so than before.
“I took her to dinner, and then I spent the night with her.”
Maggie’s green eyes light up. “Way to go, big brother.”
“And then she proceeded to pack up her stuff and split in the middle of the night.”
Her face falls. “Yikes.”
“Yeah. Yikes. So, I’m going to go ahead and assume that she’s not interested in pursuing anything with me.”
She blinks at me and then frowns. “But did you call and ask her why she left?”
“No.”
Her eyes narrow. “What did you say to fuck it up?”
“I didn’t say anything. Christ, Mary Margaret, I’m not an asshole.”
“Well, something went wrong for her to just up and sneak out in the middle of the bloody night, Shawn. Women don’t usually do that.”
“If I remember correctly, Anastasia did exactly that to Kane, remember?”
“That’s different,” she says, waving me off.
“Why?”
“Because Kane can be an asshole, so him losing women in the middle of the night doesn’t surprise me. You, on the other hand, are a different story altogether. Do you even care?”
“Do I care about why she ghosted me? Of course, I do.”
She rubs her hands through her hair in agitation. “Okay, let’s back up. Before you had sex, I assume you had a conversation.”
I clench my jaw and glare at my sister.
“What did you say?”
“I told her I wasn’t going to marry her.”
“For fuck’s sake, Shawn. Of course, she left.”
“It’s an inside joke.” I stand and pace the living room. “When we first started sleeping together, as co-workers, we agreed that it was just a physical relationship for us to enjoy while we worked together. I said that then. And when I saw her a couple weeks ago, I said it again.”
“Because you’re a moron.”
“I will throw you out of here on your little butt, Mary Margaret.”
“Right. I’m terrified. Shawn, if you don’t want anything with Lexi, why are you all messed up over your last encounter with her? I don’t get it.”
“I didn’t say I don’t want anything with her,” I reply in frustration.
“You’re in love with her.”
I stop pacing and stare at Maggie. I feel the blood leave my face.
“That’s what it is. You’re worked up because you’re in love with her, and you screwed it up, and she doesn’t want to have anything to do with you.”
“I’m not in love with her.”
“No? If that was the case, you wouldn’t give a monkey’s ass what her reaction was that morning. You’d just go on with your lonely little life.”
“I’m not lonely.”
“But you are in love with her, Shawn. And that’s why you’re upset. And defensive. And, honestly, you look like crap.”
“Thanks.”
“You need to go to her and talk to her. You have to communicate with her that you want more than a physical relationship. And you need to ask her what she wants. I have a feeling she’s in love with you, too. And when you said you weren’t marrying her, it hurt her feelings, and she went home. Which, if it were me, I’d do the same damn thing.”
“So, what? I just show up on her doorstep and say, ‘Hey there, sorry to bother you, but I’ve changed my mind and I am in love with you, so…let’s have sex?’”
Maggie stands, walks to me, and slaps me upside the head.
“Hey!”
“You’re so dumb. Why she loves you, I have no freaking idea. You show up and be honest with her. You don’t want to be with her just because the sex is amazing. So, no, I wouldn’t lead with that.”
“I was just kidding.”
“I can’t believe we come from the same gene pool.”
“Hey, I’m not that bad.”
“Well, you’ve managed to make an amazing woman like Lexi fall in love with you, so you can’t be all bad. In all seriousness, Shawn, you really do need to have a frank conversation with her. Open up to her and let yourself be vulnerable. Which, I know the men in this family have a hard time with. Although, Da’s becoming more sentimental in his older age.”
“I can be vulnerable. I’m an artist.”
She smirks. “Go get your girl. Because I love her, too. And I miss her. We all do. She fits so well with us, Shawn.”
“I know. I just hope I’m not too late.”
“If it’s meant to be, you’re not too late. I have faith in you.”
“You just said I’m a moron.”
“Well, you can be. But you’re also pretty great, and Lexi sees that. Just go talk to her.”
“Can you reserve me a flight while I pack?”
“Of course. I’m putting you in first class because you need drinks.”
“No drinks,” I disagree. “But first class is good. I’ll be in the front of the plane and can get off quickly.”
The Minneapolis airport is a shitshow. It’s enormous, difficult to navigate, and when I’m already impatient to get to my girl, it’s not good.
But, roughly nine hours after Maggie gave me the come-to-Jesus conversation, I’m in a rental car headed to Lexi’s building, having saved her address when I mailed her box. It’s after rush hour, so traffic is light.
I park in a visitor space and take the elevator up to her floor.
I knock on the door several times, but there’s no answer. So, I take out my phone and shoot Lexi a text.
Me: Hey, I’m at your front door. Please answer.
The text is delivered, but she doesn’t reply. I try again.
Me: Please come to the door, Lex. I need to talk to you.
Nothing.
I knock again, in case her phone isn’t near her. And as I’m waiting, the door across the hall from Lexi opens, and a little woman with white hair peeks out.
“Can I help you?” she asks.
“I know it’s late, and I’m sorry if I was loud and bothered you. I’m just trying to see Lexi.”
“Oh, well, she and her mother are out of town.”
I feel all the hope I’ve been carrying around with me all day drain from my body.
“They went to Florida to run in a race. I sure am proud of Lexi, she’s been doing so well with her running.”
“She’s amazing,” I murmur with a nod. “And now I remember her mentioning that she was going to Disney World this month. I just didn’t realize it was this weekend.”
“Do you want me to give her a message when she gets home?”
I shake my head no. “Do you happen to know which resort they’re staying at i
n Florida?”
She frowns. “Well, I’ve probably already said too much. I shouldn’t tell you that.”
“I’m Shawn O’Callaghan. And I’m in love with Lexi, ma’am. I’m trying to find her so I can talk to her and tell her how much I love her.”
“You’re the young man she spent time with in Washington.”
I nod eagerly. “That’s right. I’ll go get on a plane to Orlando right now, if you’ll just tell me where I can find her.”
She seems to think it over and then sighs. “I hope I’m doing the right thing. Lexi and her mom are staying at the Grand Floridian. Lexi went all out on the trip, wanting to make it extra special for her mama.”
“Thank you.” I’m so excited, I pull her in for a hug, and she laughs. “You’re wonderful.”
“Good luck to you, young man.”
I wave and jog back toward the elevator and call Maggie.
“I need you to book me on the next flight to Orlando.”
“I can’t tell you that, Mr. O’Callaghan.”
I sigh and stare at the woman named Starr behind the counter at the Grand Floridian. I’ve just checked into a room and asked her if she could tell me which room Lexi is in.
“Listen, I’ve come a long way to surprise her.”
“I’m sure you have, but we take the safety and privacy of our guests very seriously. I can’t tell you where she is, or if she’s still here.”
I tilt my head at the tone of her voice. “She’s not here?”
“I can’t confirm or deny that.”
“She came for the marathon race tomorrow.”
“The marathon was yesterday,” she replies and offers me a small smile. But she doesn’t elaborate.
“So, she ran yesterday and already checked out.”
She just shrugs a shoulder, not actually confirming or denying the statement, as she said.
But that’s what happened.
Damn it.
“I may not need that room, after all. I just need to make a phone call.”
“I can cancel it without penalty after you make your call,” she says.
I turn away and pull my phone out of my pocket, frowning when I see texts from Maeve.
Maeve: Call me.
I dial her number and listen to the ring. She finally answers. “I’ve been trying to reach you for like an hour.”
“I was checking into a hotel in Florida, and trying to find out what room Lexi’s in. But I think she already left. So, I need you or Maggie to book me another flight to Minneapolis.”
“Would you stop talking for three seconds and listen?” Maeve asks. “I just got off the phone with Da. Lexi and her mother are in Ireland, Shawn.”
Ireland? What in the bloody hell are they doing in Ireland?
“Shawn?”
“Looks like I’m moving my flight to Galway up from next week to right now. Can you help me?”
“Already on it. Just get yourself to the airport. Also? This is incredibly romantic.”
“Only if it works, Maeve. If not, I’m just a stalker.”
“A romantic stalker.”
Chapter 19
~Lexi~
“I’m so proud of you,” Mom says as she hugs me after the race. “You did amazing.”
“It felt great,” I reply as I catch my breath. I look down at the medal I got at the finish line. “And Jasmine is my favorite princess.”
“This is a heavy medal,” Mom says in surprise as she hefts it in the palm of her hand. “How do you feel?”
“Tired. But energized. Also, I have a surprise for you.” We’re walking through the park to the shuttle area so we can catch a ride back to our resort.
“What?” she asks.
“We’re leaving tomorrow for Ireland.”
Mom’s jaw drops as she stares at me. “What?”
“You heard me. I’m taking you to Ireland for Christmas. We’re going to spend two weeks there as tourists. Shawn O’Callaghan’s family owns an inn there, and that’s where we’re staying. You’ll get to meet some of his immediate family, as well. I know you’ve always wanted to see the country, and it’s time you do.”
“But you hate to fly.”
I shrug. “It’s not my favorite thing, but I have a meditation app and a pill to make me sleepy. I just ran a marathon for goodness sake, I can certainly endure a nine-hour flight.”
Just saying the words aloud makes me feel a little queasy. The truth is, I’m scared out of my mind to take a flight over the ocean, but a trip abroad is on my list of things to do, and I’m going to do it.
With my mom. For Christmas.
“Oh my gosh, Ireland!” Mom presses her hands to her cheeks as she grins like a kid on Christmas morning. “But I didn’t pack enough to be gone that long.”
“We have twenty-four hours to do some serious shopping,” I reply as the shuttle pulls up in front of us. “So, we’d better go shower and change and get a move on.”
“Lexi, this is too much.”
“No way. It’s perfect. And a long time coming.”
“Holy shit,” Mom mutters, surprising a giggle from me. We’re standing in front of our first-class pods on the plane, and watching my Mom’s reaction to everything new is the best part of this trip.
Our pods are side by side. After I stow my carry-on above my head and take my shoes off to get comfortable, I notice Mom taking photos of everything.
“What are you doing?”
“I have to send pictures to your Aunt Darla,” she says. “Look at this menu!”
I grin as she opens the menu and takes a picture. “I had no idea that we’d be offered a meal like this,” I admit. “The website said meal offered, but this is super fancy.”
“And I have a toiletry bag full of goodies,” she says. “Socks, an eye mask to sleep, and a toothbrush.”
The flight attendant stops by to take our order for dinner, and for tomorrow’s breakfast as this is an overnight flight.
Mom asks if she can take a photo of the flight attendant for my Aunt Darla.
Ten years ago, I would have been mortified.
Today, I’m just overjoyed that she’s having such a good time.
The attendant is gracious and poses for a photo, holding up the fancy menu, and then Mom takes the fluffy blanket the airline provides out of the plastic it’s wrapped in.
“A down blanket and pillow,” she says. “Boy, there’s sure a huge difference between first class and coach these days.”
“Oh, this isn’t normal,” I say with a laugh. “Our flight from Minneapolis to Orlando was normal domestic first class. This is international. We’re going to be in the air for a long time.”
I swallow hard, not wanting to think about it.
“Well, I’ll be as comfortable as can be,” Mom says with a smile. “Thank you, honey.”
“You’re welcome.”
This right here is why I work so hard. So I can share these things with my mom and enjoy myself. For too long, I lived the life of all work and no play.
Not anymore.
Now, I’m going to enjoy the benefits of a job well done. An annual vacation with Mom is the least I can do.
We’re just about to take off, so I reach for the magazine I brought with me to try to keep my mind occupied.
I flip through the pages and stall when I see the headline Deadly Secret is in production!
I’ve done an excellent job of keeping busy, of not thinking about Shawn and the way we ended things.
The way I ended things.
But with the reminder of the film, thanks to this article, I miss him all over again. I’ve been dreaming about him almost every night, and he interrupts my thoughts when I’m supposed to be working.
Even yesterday, when I was in the middle of running a marathon, I found myself wishing that Shawn was at the finish line to greet me when I crossed it.
I wish things were different.
But they aren’t.
He made it clear that nothing serio
us could happen between us. And I respect his wishes. I just wish I could turn the emotions off. Because getting over Shawn O’Callaghan has been much harder than anticipated.
“Lexi, you have to come see this,” Mom says as she pokes her head around my doorway at the O’Callaghan Inn. We just arrived and were shown to our rooms, which are only a few doors down from each other. She waves for me to follow, and I hurry behind her.
“Is your room okay?” I ask, concerned that something’s wrong.
“Is it okay?” she says with a laugh and spreads her arms wide as we walk inside. “Look at this view!”
I relax and grin at her. “Didn’t you see the same view from my room?”
“I didn’t pay attention,” she admits. “I was too excited about my view. This inn is just so lovely. And did you hear them say it’s been here for nearly two hundred and fifty years?”
“I did. I hope that doesn’t mean it’s haunted.”
“You and your imagination,” she says with a laugh. “I love how they’ve decorated for the holidays with all of the lights and the tree in the lobby. The clawfoot tub in the bathroom is to die for. I’ll be taking advantage of that later.”
“We should get a nap in before dinner,” I suggest.
We arrived at the Galway airport late this morning. Once we made our way through customs, gathered our luggage, and rented a car, a couple of hours had passed.
We’re both jet lagged and travel weary.
“You’re right,” Mom says. “I might go ahead and enjoy the tub now.”
“Good idea. Have a nice soak and a nap, and you’ll be fresh for dinner.”
Mom folds me into her arms for a strong hug. She’s been hugging me a lot on this trip.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me,” I say with a laugh. “I’m having fun, too.”
“I’m glad. Go rest up, and come get me when you’re ready to leave. I’ll be ready for you.”
“Okay.”
I walk back to my room and finish unpacking. The room isn’t huge, but it’s certainly beautiful with a four-poster bed and a plush chair and ottoman. The wardrobe is plenty big enough to stow my things, and the bathroom is gorgeous with gleaming nickel hardware and white porcelain.
Imagine With Me: A With Me In Seattle Novel Page 17