Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn’t see me. “Of course I realize that. Well, crap. Maybe I need to lay off the spells.”
“Yes!” Sarah and Lucas said in unison.
Snarling my lip at the phone and then at Lucas, I huffed, “It could have been worse.”
“Yeah, he could be falling and breaking a leg or ending up in the hospital after being hit by a car.”
I brought my hand to my hip. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
“Well, you did put a hex on him,” Sarah added with humor in her voice.
“It was a mistake!” I nearly shouted. “I didn’t even realize I was a witch at the time.”
Lucas took the phone from my hand. “Is there anything we can do to lessen the spell on Benny without him knowing Hollie’s a witch?”
“I can see why you wouldn’t want him to know. Let me talk to Lucy and my mother. I’ll keep out the fact that you’re expecting. They might have an idea to slow down the…uh…good fortune.”
Lucas and I both looked at each other. “I’m sure he’s enjoying the attention,” I said, “but the idea was to save his pub, not overwork his todger.”
“I’m sorry…his what?” Sarah asked.
Laughing, I said, “Todger. It’s a slang word for penis.”
Lucas closed his eyes and slightly shook his head. “Do I even want to know where you learned that?”
Patting him on the chest, I replied, “It’s all good. I read it in Prince Harry’s biography.”
Lucas opened his mouth to say something then quickly shut it.
Sarah cleared her throat. “And this is where we say goodbye. I’ll be in touch. In the meantime, Hollie, no spells!”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine, no spells.”
Lucas
I stepped into the pub and cautiously looked around. With the dig site again shut down for a few days, Hollie and I had time to explore Ireland, and it also meant we were spending more time at the pub.
“Lucas!” Benny called out as he made his way over to me. “Pint?”
“Please.” I slipped onto a barstool. There were only three open spots at the bar, which wasn’t normal for a midweek day, even at lunch time.
“What’s going on? The place is pretty full.”
Benny looked around and smiled. “Where do I start?”
I smiled as watched him expertly pour me a Guinness. He put it on the counter and slid it my way, not even spilling an ounce of the foam.
“Are you giving away free beer or something?”
His head fell back, and he let out a loud laugh. “No! It seems that word has gotten out that me ma’s food is some of the most authentic in Ireland. These lads are in from Dublin. They were attending a conference and one of the wee girls in the book club told her husband about me ma’s Irish stew. He told someone else who works for the company all these Americans work for. They all decided to come to O’Brien’s to try out the food!”
“That’s wonderful, Benny.”
He smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s a good start, but I’m afraid I’m gonna need a lot more of this if I hope to keep the pub open.”
I cleared my throat and looked to make sure no one was listening. “Casey and Karen?”
He blushed. “Christ almighty, Lucas. Casey was wanting to fulfill a fantasy of watching me with another woman. I was all for it at first, but then got to thinking. I really like Casey and ya know, I don’t want to risk losing her again.”
I nodded. If Hollie ever approached me with a similar request, I wouldn’t know what to think. But I knew I wouldn’t want to do it, because I loved Hollie and wouldn’t want to risk losing her.
“I get it, I’d feel the same way,” I stated.
“Yes! But she begged me, Lucas. Said it would only be the one time.”
“So you did it?” I asked, taking another look around.
He rubbed at the back of his neck with his hand. “I did. Was the most erotic night of me life. Casey has been coming over to me house every night since. I’m fucking exhausted from all the sex.”
I laughed. “So things are moving along with Casey?”
He nodded.
The bell above the door rang and a well-dressed guy around the same age as Benny walked in. Benny tapped on the bar in front of me. “Food?”
“No,” I said. “I really just came to see how you were doing since I hadn’t spoken to you in a few days.”
He winked then said, “I’ll be right back.”
Benny welcomed the guy and asked if he wanted a pint. The guy sat down, looked around the pub, and caught my eye. He nodded, so I nodded back and added a smile.
After pouring the guy a pint, Benny spoke with him for a few moments before heading back down the bar to check on everyone. Kelley came out from the back with a tray full of food. I watched her make the trip a few more times before Benny brought a plate out for the guy at the bar.