by Toni Aleo
Pressing my lips together, I glance back at my book but I watch her out the corner of my eye. She is wearing jeans and a t-shirt, not something she’d wear to go out in public, which means she is having a ‘lazy day’ as she calls it. Usually she’s so made up, every single detail so perfect that she looks like a Barbie doll. When I say that, she gets mad, but it’s the truth. It makes me nervous because I know that’s not her. She does it for my ma, for Micah, since his family expects her to look pristine at all times. She’s so young, but she already has so much on her shoulders. Sometimes I wonder if she is really doing what she wants or doing only what everyone expects of her. I refuse to do that but then, maybe I am because I’m doing exactly what my da wants of me. But that can’t be right because I’m not doing it for him; I’m doing it for the distillery. It’s my home, my business, and I won’t have another person run what’s mine. I’m what’s best for it, and I’ll do anything to keep it.
Lena sits on the shoulder of my chair, leaning into me as she wraps her arm around my shoulder. “I know it’s something, Declan, or someone maybe?”
I shake my head innocently. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Fiona Maclaster maybe?”
I scoff. “No, Kane’s goin’ out with her.”
That must have stunned her, which means that not too many people know about Amberlyn, but they will after tonight. Even though it has my skin breaking out in goose pimples and my heart beating out of control, I know that once I bring Amberlyn to Thornton’s, everyone will see us and report it as news when all it’s supposed to be is my first date with the most gorgeous girl in Ireland. But I try not to think about it. Instead, I’ll enjoy stumping my sister and my ma too, since I know she sent Lena in to spy. “Then who are you seeing at the Céad Míle Fáilte?”
I shrug my shoulders. “No one.”
“Oh ya liar!” she accuses as she smacks my forearm. “Fine, fine, keep it to yourself. Are you going to bring her to the White Ball?”
I don’t want to answer but before my brain can tell my mouth that, I say, “If she’ll have me.”
“Ha! I knew there was someone!”
Fuckin’ hell. “Yeah, so?” I ask as I look up at her. Her eyes are dancing with laughter, her grin unstoppable, but when her eyes meet mine, her grin falls.
“No, I’m happy,” she says with her palms up to me. “I want you to find your Mrs. O’Callaghan. This is awesome.”
“Don’t go putting that thought in your head. It’s our first date; I could find her annoying after tonight.”
I doubt that, but it could be true. Lena gives out a laugh as she shakes her head. “No way, not with the way she makes you smile.”
Maybe so. Pushing into her playfully, I smile when she hugs me tightly. Pulling away, she leans back as she leans her head against mine. “Have you talked to Kane lately?”
“Of course, saw him earlier today.”
“So you know that he and Casey got into it?”
I pause before moving my head out from beneath hers to look up at her. “Got into it? Way I heard it, Kane knocked him the hell out.”
“Yeah, that’s what I mean.”
“Then yeah, I heard. Why? How did you?”
“One of my friends said she was in the shop the other night and he was saying how our family has ruined him. He can’t even get a date with a fuckin’ American.”
I shrug, my heart picking up in speed with anger. I hate that fuckin’ gobshite. “It isn’t our family, it’s him. It’s his fault he’s a fuckin’ wanker and maybe it’s the way he treats women that keeps him from getting a date.”
She nods slowly as her eyes glaze over. I always hate when Casey’s name comes into the conversation. It always makes my beautiful sister look so hollow. I place my hand on hers. “Don’t let him bother you one bit.”
“No, no, I’m not. It’s just I hate when he runs our names through the mud when really he has no right to. We don’t go around running his name.” She pauses as her eyes meet mine. “Well, at least I don’t, nor does Ma. It’s mainly you and Da.”
“He’s a fuckin’ fucktard. I hate him.”
“I know. I just wish we could all let it go. It happened so long ago,” she says sadly.
“It was only three years ago,” I say, and I can feel my skin burning with anger. “You don’t care for him still, do you?”
She shakes her head quickly. “Hell no, I just hate how it went down. I really don’t know what happened, and I don’t even know what has been said is true. All I know is that I left with him and I wake up cold, wet from the rain, and raped. It’s scary and still hurts me inside, you know? I love Micah, I do, but I don’t know. I just feel like a part of me is still missing. The part Casey took, and it scares me that I’ll never be the person I was.”
I hold her hand in mine and nod. “You’ve grown, Lena. You’ve learned from your mistakes. It has made you a stronger person. You are still healing from it all, and you’re going to overcome all of it. I believe that because you’re amazing, Lena.”
She lets out a long breath as she nods. “That’s what Micah says when I tell him this.”
“Then believe him, because it’s the truth.”
She smiles as she leans into me again. “I just think that hearing about him, talking about him, messes with me and makes it worse. I wish that he would just leave town. I told Da this at dinner because I’m so over him, but even Da agrees. If he hasn’t left yet, he won’t. Not with his ma here, God bless her soul. Such a wonderful woman, such a shitty fella.”
“Yeah,” I agree as I shake my head. I would love nothing more than to never see him again but like my sister said, it won’t happen unless we leave. Casey’s ma is very sick, has been for years, and he is the only one that can take care of her.
“So I asked Micah if we can skip town once we are married and he agreed. I haven’t told Ma and Da yet.”
I nod as a grin pulls at my lips. “That’s good. I doubt they’ll mind. They’ll have to understand the reasoning behind it.”
And I know I’m right. This is the first summer Lena has stayed home since it happened. Usually she goes off to Germany with her friends or family but since meeting Micah, I’ve slowly seen my sister come back to life. He may be dumb as a rock, but he treats my sister like a princess, so he is all right in my eyes.
“Yeah, I hope. Oh well if they don’t! We are the rebels of the family, I think!”
I laugh as I agree. “Maybe so, but I know I can’t leave.”
“Then you better get married before I have to stay here and Micah runs the business.”
I scoff as I shut my book. “I’d turn over in my grave before I’d let that happen.”
“I know. You love it too much.”
“I do.”
She looks down at my book, reaching for it and flipping carelessly through the pages. I want to ask her to be careful but before I can, she says, “I don’t think Da will give it to Micah.”
I shrug, reaching for the book to keep it safe. “I’m not sure one way or another, but I don’t plan to find out. I am doing what they want. Let’s hope it works out.”
“With the girl from the pub?” she asks with a wink.
A smile pulls at my mouth as I shrug but reality sets in because I may want that to be true at this moment, but all it is right now is attraction. I don’t know her deepest, darkest secrets, I don’t know what makes her tick, and I don’t know what her wants are for the future. We could want two totally different things and as much as I hope that doesn’t happen, I can’t help but think about it. It scares me but at the same time, I try to push those thoughts away because I want to enjoy her. I want to live in the now.
With her.
So looking back at my sister, I grin as I slowly shrug. “Maybe.”
When I pull up to the Maclaster’s house, I park behind Fiona’s little bug and turn my car off. I run my hand through my thick, curly hair, knocking my beanie off. I consider leaving it off, but
only for a second before I pull it back down on my head. Letting out a long breath, I tap my fingers on the steering wheel, willing myself to go get my date. I’ve been thinking that I might not like her after tonight, but what if she doesn’t like me? What if she thinks I eat loudly? Or maybe that I don’t smile enough like my ma says? What if I say something stupid and she runs the other way?
Fuckin’ shite.
My knee is bouncing, my heart pounding, and my hands feel clammy. I was fine driving over here, excited even, but now, I feel like I might vomit. When I see the curtain pull back and Mrs. Maclaster peek out, I know I’ve been seen and have to go in. Throwing the door open, I step out and head towards the door. Before I can knock, it flies open and Mrs. Maclaster grins up at me.
“Declan, how nice to see you,” she greets before stepping out the way to allow me to come in. I give her a curt smile before stepping inside and meeting Mr. Maclaster’s gaze. I reach my hand out and he takes it strongly, squeezing my hand as he holds my gaze.
“Howyea, Mr. Maclaster.”
“Howyea, Declan. Good to see ya.”
“You too,” I say, dropping my hand from his and tucking them in my pocket.
“Amberlyn should be down any second. They have been fussin’ over hair and makeup all afternoon.”
I nod as I look around the Maclaster’s home. It is an old stone home with beautiful, large windows, with a wonderful view of the lake. The furnishing makes the house homey and inviting. A smile plays on my lips when my gaze falls on a picture of Fiona and Amberlyn hugging tightly. It had been taken recently because it wasn’t even in a frame yet, just leaned up against an old, Celtic cross. They could honestly pass as sisters with how much they look alike—both so beautiful. “That’s a nice picture.”
They both nod, Mrs. Maclaster’s grin wide and full of love. “Yes, our girls. They are something, that’s for sure.”
I couldn’t agree more. When the sound of someone coming down the stairs catches my attention, I turn to find Fiona and then Amberlyn. Like an angel of heaven, Amberlyn is breathtaking. In a pair of tight, light pink slacks, she has on a black, lacy top that she has covered with a matching, pink blazer. But the outfit wasn’t what had my tongue thick in my mouth. It was the shoes—sexy, black, and high, making her legs look long and lean. A smile pulls at my lips as her eyes meet mine. Her eyes are done up very drastic, something that I haven’t see on her before. Her hair is in a mess of curls down her shoulders and her lips are full, pink, and glossy. I want nothing more than to lick every bit off her sexy, sweet mouth. Fuck, she is intoxicating.
Her mouth pulls up at the side as she walks over and stops before me. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I say breathlessly. “You look gorgeous.”
Her cheeks dust with color as she smiles. “Thanks, so do you,” she says as her eyes lazily run over me. I am dressed nice enough, I guess, in a pair of khakis and a blue button-up shirt but in a way, I feel inferior to her, which is crazy since I’ve never felt like that before. I’ve never thought someone was better than I am, but at that moment, getting lost in Amberlyn’s eyes, I feel that way. I’m not sure I deserve to spend the night with this beautiful woman.
“Well, be home by midnight, please.”
We both look over at Mr. Maclaster, and I notice that a grin is playing on Amberlyn’s mouth as Fiona smacks her da on the arm.
“Da! She’s twenty years old! Let her be!”
But I don’t think Mr. Maclaster cares how old Amberlyn is. He wants her home, and I respect that. I go to say that as Mrs. Maclaster blurts out, “Yes, don’t listen to him, Declan. You do what you’d like with her. Bring her home whenever.”
The room falls silent except for Fiona’s giggles, as Amberlyn gawks at her aunt and Mr. Maclaster sets her with a look. I have no clue what to say to that so I look back at Amberlyn as she rolls her eyes. “No, I’ll be home at midnight, and he won’t have his way with me! Jeez, Aunt Shelia!”
Fiona is still laughing as Mrs. Maclaster sets her with a look. “He’s Declan O’Callaghan… he’ll do what he pleases.”
“No, he won’t,” Mr. Maclaster and Amberlyn say at the same time.
“Yeah, I won’t,” I agree.
I doubt anyone is listening to me as Amberlyn says, “I don’t care if he’s the pope. Jeez, can you believe this lady?” she asks me, but I don’t answer as she steps to her aunt. “And to think, you’re my favorite aunt ever?”
Mrs. Maclaster’s face is red, but her smile is still beaming. Kissing her cheek, Amberlyn leans to Mr. Maclaster and kisses his cheek before saying, “I’ll be home by midnight.”
He nods before setting me with a look. This is really weird. I don’t do this. I don’t date and to have a set limit on when I have to bring a woman home is a little weird, but I don’t have a problem doing what is asked of me. I want them to like me.
“Ye have fun!” Mrs. Maclaster calls as we head out the door after Amberlyn hugged Fiona bye. Once the door shut, Amberlyn laughs. “If this is what it would have been like when I was younger going on my first date, I’m glad I waited. My dad would have been worse than my uncle, and my mother probably would have cried.”
I glance over at her. There is a smile on her beautiful face, but I can see the pain in her eyes and the laugh isn’t a regular Amberlyn gut-busting laugh. “You didn’t date when you were younger?”
She shakes her head. “Nope, I took care of my mom. She was sick for a long time before she passed.”
“So what, this is your first date?”
She smiles nervously up at me. “Officially, yeah.”
I smile, too. Why does that make me feel so good? When she stops suddenly, she glances back over at me before pointing to my Mercedes CL65. “No horse?”
I scoff as I reach for the door. “Not tonight.”
“Darn, I was hoping to be whisked away on horseback. I even wore pants,” she teased with a wink. I smile as I shut the door and head around the car.
Sitting down, I put the key in the ignition. “It does have a 510-horsepower engine though.”
She giggles, and the smell of her fills the inside of my car. It’s intoxicating, a mix of flowers and shampoo. I love it and want to nuzzle my nose in her hair. Turning the key in the ignition to make sure I don’t, I glance over at her as she says, “That will be fine then. Whisk me away, Declan.”
She does a very flourish wave with her hand like she is royalty as she leans back, her face bright with a smile as her eyes stay locked on me. I can’t get enough of her and the nerves from before are gone, as I nod with a grin pulling at the side of my mouth.
“I hope to.”
I’m nervous.
So freaking nervous that my knee is bouncing out of control as I ride in Declan’s very expensive car. I’m not sure if he’s had it long, but it smells new and has me afraid to touch anything. I glance over to admire him; he looks simply scrumptious as always but then I notice that damn beanie. I wish he wouldn’t wear it. I love his curly hair. Shaking my head, I say, “Still with your trusty beanie, I see.”
He smiles over at me sheepishly, causing my body to catch fire. There is something about this man’s smile that makes me come completely undone. He has dimples and his teeth are so straight and white, which makes me realize that I must have a thing for white, straight teeth because I am hot just watching him smile. I grin as he reaches up, pulling the beanie down some. “I thought about leavin’ it off, but then I remember that I don’t like my hair.”
I reach out but he moves out of my way, sending me a grin. “Take it off. I like your hair,” I plead, giving him a little pout.
He scoffs. “No way, that pout is cute, hot even, but I need my hat.”
“Why?” I ask, my body liking that he said I was hot a little more than it should.
“’Cause, I just like it on.”
I roll my eyes, letting out a breath as I lean back, mock pouting. “Fine.”
He laughs as he takes my hand in his. The warmth of his han
d is consuming and soon I forget about the beanie as his fingers lace with mine. “This is okay?”
I nod quickly because I like the way my hand fits in his. I’ve wanted this, and I am soon watching as his thumb moves across the back of my hand. A smile is pulling at his lips as he drives. His eyes are on the road, and I wish they were on me. I have been a wreck all day. I tried to work to keep myself from thinking about tonight but when it came time for me to get ready, I was basically shaking with nerves. Fiona helped and I have to admit I look hot as hell, but even knowing that doesn’t calm the butterflies in my belly.
Silence stretches in the car, and I’m not sure if that is a bad thing or good. I am comfortable, happy even, but what if he is bored and I need to talk to make him feel better? I’ve learned very quickly that Declan is a man of few words and I am fine with the silence, but I’m not sure if he is. I want to make him comfortable with me because I am with him. He makes me all giggly and oh my goodness, how I love this feeling.
When we pull into the valet of Thorsten’s Restaurant, my door opens and I reach for the hand that awaits me. I smile at the valet and then glance over to see Declan right there, his arm out for me to take. I want to giggle from the sheer chivalry of it all as I take his arm, but I push that giddiness away as he leads me inside. This place is like a castle, so huge and beautiful, stone walls with golden furniture. It’s super fancy and a part of me feels like I didn’t dress nice enough. I also think that if I touch anything it’d break, so with my other hand, I reach over to hold on to his wrist. He sends me a sweet grin before looking up at the host.