by Moni Boyce
His mind was still on the situation with Aoife. If he settled for a life with her, it would only be a matter of time before he ended up bitter and divorced like Eoin, and constantly bickering about the money he was required to pay in a maintenance order.
His parents had been in love. Their marriage was more than just the façade you saw in so many of the relationships where the person married for looks or money. It had been deep and full of passion. When he finally did marry, he wouldn’t settle for less, and certainly not with Aoife, who just thought they looked good on each other’s arm.
Again, he found himself thinking of how easy things had been with Jordan that night.
“Did you hear what I said?” Eoin had a forkful of meat poised at his lips, waiting for Conor’s response.
“Ah, Sure look it.”
Eoin stuffed the food in his mouth and then continued talking.
Conor had better save his daydreaming for when he was alone. Maybe he’d finally join social media and look her up. Naw.
If she was married and had kids it would kill his fantasy and he would be disappointed as hell. What was the likelihood that a girl like that would still be available? Bloody unlikely.
5
Jordan
“Ladies and gentlemen, Aer Lingus welcomes you to Dublin. The local time is 8:50a.m. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened and keep the aisles clear until we are parked at the gate.”
Jordan wondered how the flight attendant managed to be so chipper after a non-stop, seven-hour trip. She was thankful she’d been able to upgrade to a lie-flat seat on the overnight flight.
By the time she got through customs and got her luggage, it was nearly eleven o’clock. Despite sleeping on the flight, she still felt a bit groggy.
It didn’t take long at all to get a taxi. As the driver loaded her bags she fumbled with her phone, searching for her hotel reservation. What was the name of the hotel? After several minutes she found the email.
“Uhm…” She raised an eyebrow after seeing the name. She was definitely going to butcher the pronunciation.
“I’m staying at the Iveagh Garden Hotel.” The pronunciation came out phonetically. Hopefully, it was the correct way to say it.
The driver grimaced and chuckled before he corrected her pronunciation. “Most Dubliners just say Ivy. The current Lord pronounces it by putting two syllables together, eye plus vuh, Ive-a.”
“Thank you.” Jordan was sure this wouldn’t be her last time mispronouncing a name or word.
On the drive, she searched her bag, looking for the guide she’d purchased for the trip. After shaking the bag and pulling things, the book still hadn’t turned up. A couple of times, she caught the driver giving her odd looks in the rearview mirror. She was this close to dumping the contents all over the backseat.
“Ugh.” How was she this disorganized? Maybe she accidentally packed it in her suitcase instead of putting it in her carry-on.
After another look from the driver, she decided it was best to worry about the book later. This was supposed to be a vacation.
Staring out the window, she watched the city roll by. Her heart beat a little faster when she thought about Conor. Soon they would reunite. She just hoped she hadn’t come all this way for nothing.
They pulled up to the hotel in less than half an hour. The hotel was very picturesque with stairs leading up to the ornate front door and a doorman. The name of the hotel was engraved on a gold plaque near the entrance of the red-bricked building.
“Here you are lass.” The driver sat her luggage on the sidewalk.
She’d exchanged some currency before leaving the U.S. so she had some euros available. She paid the fare and handed him an additional ten euros for a tip.
“Thank you.” The driver grinned broadly at her, exposing all of his teeth. He tipped his hat to her and returned to his taxi.
The doorman was already grabbing her bags.
“Excuse me? Where is Quay Street?” She glanced up and down the street. Byrne’s pub was off of that road. Once she dropped her bags off, that was her intended destination.
“Pardon me?” The doorman wore a perplexed expression as he carried her bags up the steps.
“Quay Street… which direction is it in?” She pronounced it as ‘kway’ once again.
The doorman sat her bags down and scratched his head. “I’m sorry Miss. Are you sure that’s a street here in Dublin? Maybe they can help you inside. Just see the concierge. They can help you find whatever you’re looking for.” He picked up her bags and escorted her inside.
Inside she immediately found the concierge desk. “Hi. I wanted to find out how to get to Quay Street?”
Without hesitation, the concierge corrected her. “It’s Quay Street.” The haughty man in the suit corrected her, by pronouncing it like the word key.
“Oh.” Jordan felt country dumb and tried to laugh it off.
“Sorry, stupid American.” Her giggle tapered off as the concierge continued to stare at her without sharing in her amusement. He probably thought she really was stupid. Or maybe every American mispronounced it and he was tired of having to constantly correct them. It still didn’t mean he needed to give her attitude.
“It’s that way.” He pointed in the direction. “Can I help you with anything else?” The disdain he held in his voice wasn’t subtle.
“No.” She turned and slunk over to the front desk to check into her room.
Thankfully, the young woman that waited on her was way friendlier than the douchebag concierge that seemed to have a stick stuck up his ass.
After dropping her bags at the room, Jordan took the elevator back downstairs. On the way out of the hotel, she caught sight of her appearance in the glass.
What was she thinking? She looked a mess. Her curls were not fresh. Although the jeans she rocked were her favorite pair, they, along with the t-shirt was way too casual. Plus, the dark circles around her eye revealed exhaustion. Conor hadn’t seen her in eight years. This was not the kind of impression she wanted to make. Her eagerness to see him was causing her to make dumb decisions.
Returning to her hotel room, she unpacked her bags and hung up the dress she would wear. A nap would help her look more refreshed. When she woke, she’d shower and go find Conor’s family pub.
As Jordan made the plan in her head, a yawn escaped. Besides calling the front desk and requesting a wake-up call in a couple of hours, she set the alarm on her phone. Once that was all done, she slipped off her shoes and curled up on the bed. It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep.
When she’d looked up the distance to Byrne’s Pub from the hotel, it said the walk should take about fifteen minutes. The walk would give her time to calm her nerves and figure out what she was going to say. She checked herself out in the lobby mirror before she left.
Hair looks good. She let her curls hang loose. They fell slightly past her shoulders. Turning her head this way and that, she doubled checked and used her fingers to fix any errant curls.
No lipstick on my teeth. Glancing around, she made sure no one was watching her before she bared her teeth. No smears or stains from her lipstick. Nothing stuck between her teeth either.
Outfit okay? The cobalt blue, abstract floral-print blouson dress had peasant sleeves with a buttoned, scoop neck bodice. She had enough buttons undone to show a sexy amount of cleavage. The hem of the flared, billowy skirt hit mid-calf, and there was a flirty side slit that came up to her thigh. The dress made her feel very feminine.
She’d brushed her teeth and used a minty Listerine when she woke up from her nap, but she popped a breath mint before she started her walk. The platform wedge espadrille sandals she’d chosen to complete the look were comfortable.
The simple directions had been committed to memory, but she was making herself crazy with what was going to happen once she arrived. What time was it back home? She needed reassurance. It was seven o’clock in the morn
ing in Wyoming. Elodie should be awake. She dialed her sister’s number and waited for her to answer.
“You know it’s 7am right?”
Jordan smiled; grateful her big sis had picked up. “You know you were already awake.”
Elodie sucked her teeth. “So. People who have good etiquette know it’s impolite to call someone before a certain hour.”
“Okay, okay… I wouldn’t have called you if I didn’t really need you. I’m on the way to the pub and I just need you to tell me I can do this.” Jordan stopped at the crosswalk and waited for her sister to say something.
The snarkiness disappeared from Elodie’s tone in her next response. “Girl, I’m proud of you. I know it wasn’t easy to put yourself out there like that. Just know, no matter what happens you’re good. Either way, I’m expecting you to come back here with an Irishman, whether it’s Conor or someone else.” She said the last part with humor brimming in her words.
Jordan appreciated the joke. It was exactly what she needed to hear. She giggled. “Thanks.”
“You got this. Don’t forget to call me back later with the deets. Call mom and dad and Zoe too. You know I don’t pass messages.”
Jordan couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at the corner of her mouth. Everyone knew that Elodie didn’t relay messages. If you wanted someone to know something you had to do it yourself. “I know. I will call everyone later tonight. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
After disconnecting the call, Jordan walked with more confidence. Her sister was right. She was going to get what she came for: closure or her man. Either way, she was going to enjoy Ireland and all it had to offer. This was her vacation. Secretly, she just hoped she’d be doing that with Conor by her side.
Outside Byrne’s Pub, she stood at the door and took a couple of deep breaths. When Jordan opened the door and stepped inside, the blare of sports, along with loud conversations greeted her. The place was all wood paneling, Irish flags and flat screen TVs. She couldn’t help looking at some of the old photographs that lined the walls. Some of the more current photographs showed an older man standing with what must have been celebrities since the pictures contained autographs. Mixed among the photos was sports paraphernalia.
Quit stalling. There would be time to explore the pub later. Look around and see if you spot him.
Her heart was beating so erratically, she was afraid she was going to faint. She gripped her purse strap so tightly the leather left an imprint on her palm. After a silent count to three, she pried her gaze from the wall of memorabilia and looked around.
Here goes nothing.
6
Conor
“Take a gander at the lass that just walked in.” Fergus gaped in the direction of the door, ogling the poor woman.
“She’s a stunner.” Desmond agreed, his beer forgotten about for the moment, as he watched her too.
What were they on about? The pair of them acted like women didn’t walk in here every day. Conor turned in the direction of the woman that they were drooling over. She now had her back to the bar while she glanced at the pictures on the wall. Even though he hadn’t seen her face yet, her arse was definitely worth a second look.
The barstool scraping against the floor alerted Conor that Niall had returned from the restroom.
“What are the three of you staring at?” When Niall found the object of their attention, he let out a low whistle.
Conor stopped polishing the glass that was in his hand. There was something strangely familiar about her. He needed to see her face. In his mind, he willed her to turn towards him. Several seconds later, he got his wish. She turned away from the wall and began to survey the room.
“Jaysus.”
It can’t be.
Briefly, his eyes bulged from the sockets and the glass slipped from his grasp and hit the ground shattering into pieces, but still he stared.
Despite the noise inside the pub, the breaking glass must have got her attention, because she looked towards the bar and her gaze locked on his. Was he dreaming? Conor blinked rapidly, certain she was going to disappear, go up in a puff of smoke and he would wake up.
Even though it had been eight years since they last saw each other, her face had been etched into his memory. He still knew what those soft lips tasted like.
“Jordan?” Her name came out of his mouth sounding so foreign. As often as he thought about her, he hadn’t said her name aloud in ages.
“You know her?” Fergus asked in surprise.
Conor didn’t answer. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him, but he was in a trance. At the moment, he only had eyes for her.
A small smile lifted the corner of Jordan’s mouth. It only took her a second and then she was moving, making her way over to the bar, to him.
His feet were rooted to the spot. He wasn’t sure whether he should come around the bar and meet her halfway. It’s like his brain couldn’t function. He was discombobulated seeing her here in his pub.
When she reached the bar, she teetered for a second. Neither of them said a word. They just drank each other in.
“Conor.”
His name came out of her mouth on a breathless sigh and did delicious things to his insides. Hearing her American accent pronounce his name brought back memories.
“Jordan.”
Her face lit up when he said her name.
“You remember me?”
“Of course.”
Her gaze was drawn to something or someone else. “Hello?” She smiled at the Three Wise Men.
Conor had forgotten there were other people nearby. He’d been shocked to see her.
“Where are your manners, Conor? Aren’t you going to introduce us to your American lady friend?” Desmond sat up straighter and tried to suck in his gut.
Conor was still at a loss for words. “Uhm… Jordan meet Fergus, Desmond and Niall,” he pointed to each of them in turn, “They have been coming here since before I was born.”
“Nice to meet all of you.”
He thought her smile dazzling, even though it wasn’t directed at him.
“Aye. We’ve known the lad since he was a wee thing, running around here in a nappy.” Fergus crowed.
The men roared at this and slapped each other on the back.
“The stories we could tell you. They’re a gas.” Niall was still chuckling.
“I’d love to hear them some time.” Jordan looked at Conor with a twinkle in her eye.
Conor was sure the blush that colored his face, crept all the way up to his hairline. His ears burned from embarrassment. Had Fergus really just brought up him wearing a nappy? Conor grimaced.
The tinkle of Jordan’s giggle put a smile back on his face. She was clearly enjoying his discomfort, and he didn’t mind one bit. Before he could say anything else, Fergus spoke again.
“How do the two of you know each other?”
She quirked her brow at him, “Yes, Conor, how do we know each other?”
Something dangerous glittered in her eyes. Amusement wasn’t the only thing that danced in the depths. The flash of anger was extinguished within the same second he saw it. He needed to get her alone so they could talk. A sinking feeling settled in his gut. Was she going to cause a scene?
He’d been so shocked and surprised to see her, he hadn’t considered this might not be a happy reunion. Maybe she was here to seek revenge for him never returning or offering an explanation.
No.
Even though it had been a long time, she hadn’t seemed like the mean-spirited sort. Either way, he’d hurt her, and he owed her an explanation.
He swallowed, and observed her as he spoke, even though Fergus had asked the question. “We met while I was studying in America.”
He would not offer up anymore until they had a chance to speak privately.
They stared at each other for a moment before she addressed the old men. “Yes, I’m Conor’s friend from America. I’m here on vacation, but I figured I’d drop in and say
hello. See what he’s been up to the last eight years.”
Again, he was interrupted before he could respond when Siobhan arrived.
“What’s the craic?”
She placed her helmet on the bar top as usual and ducked underneath the bar flap. Crunching glass reminded him that he hadn’t cleaned it up.
“Who broke the glass?” Siobhan lifted her foot.
“Come meet Conor’s American friend. They haven’t seen each other in donkey’s years.” Desmond waved her over.
Siobhan leaned over and shook Jordan’s hand. “All the way from America? You came all the way just to see this eejit?” She elbowed Conor in the side while they laughed at his expense yet again.
“I’m here on vacation. I thought it would be nice to see an old friend.”
Okay. It was time to put a stop to the Wise Men and Siobhan asking questions.
“Can I speak to you privately?” Conor asked Jordan while he pointed to an empty table.
“Offer the lass a drink before she sits.” Fergus scolded him like he was a child.
Conor felt a bit sheepish for being called out. He was so flustered. His mam would have boxed his ears for not being hospitable to a lady.
“Sorry. Would you like something?”
“I’m still on New York time. It’s a little early for me to drink.” Jordan wrinkled her nose.
“It’s never too early in Ireland.” Niall raised his glass to her with a broad grin before he tipped the glass back and drank down nearly half the ale.
“How about a mineral? Or I could make you a cordial or Rock Shandy. They are non-alcoholic,” Conor offered.
“What’s a mineral?”
“Oh, I forgot, in America you say soda. I have Cidona, Pepsi, Club Orange, 7Up…” He trailed off, while he waited for her response.
“Maybe just some water for now.”
“Still or sparkling?”