Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“I already told you. I called ahead so they know I’m bringing a friend. Also, Shay and Maggie already like you, and I’m sure everyone else will be just as smitten.”
She flushed when I briefly pressed my lips to hers then turned toward the house. The curtains twitched. Sure enough, my cousin Ross’ wife, Dawn, peered through the living room window at our approach then swiftly disappeared. Great. She’d seen me kiss Charli. The entire house would know about it by the time we reached the front door.
I mean, Dawn was great, but she could be a little nosy when it came to everyone’s love lives.
Back when I’d still been engaged to Steph, Dawn had always tried to bring her up in conversation, asking why I rarely brought her over for our weekly dinners. I’d always responded that we preferred to do our own separate thing on Sundays. The truth was I’d tried to get Steph to come to dinner all the time, but she normally made up an excuse about going to see her mother.
The reality was that Steph didn’t see the value in making time for my relatives, who were ordinary, working class folks. However, when I invited her to attend Friday dinners with the Balfes, she rarely turned me down. The Balfes had money and power, as well as connections to many other wealthy Dublin families, which was what Steph was interested in. A fresh wave of relief washed over me to know we were no longer engaged. My family was the most important thing to me, and being married to someone who refused to make time for them even once or twice a year would be hell.
“I don’t need them to be smitten,” Charli replied, pulling me from my thoughts. “Liking me will be good enough.”
“I wouldn’t trust the judgement of anyone who disliked you,” I told her fondly, brushing my knuckles over her cheek before the door burst open, and both Dawn and Uncle Eugene appeared. I could immediately tell my uncle had been spying alongside Dawn because he wore a pleased expression as he glanced from me to Charli.
“Rhys! You’ve arrived. Come in and introduce us to your lovely friend,” he exclaimed warmly.
“Eugene, Dawn,” I said as I gently pressed my hand to Charli’s lower back and ushered her inside. “This is my good friend, Charli. Charli, this is my Uncle Eugene, and his daughter-in-law, Dawn.”
“So lovely to meet you both,” Charli said, her nerves still evident in her smile as she greeted them.
“Oh, your accent is just wonderful,” Dawn complimented. “Isn’t it, Eugene?”
“I do enjoy an American accent,” Eugene agreed. “I hope you like roast chicken, Charli.”
“I’ll eat whatever you put in front of me,” she replied as we followed them both into the kitchen.
“Ah, I like her already,” Eugene declared, shooting a wink in my direction.
Well, this dinner was certainly going to be interesting. Inside, my cousin Ross sat at the dining table chatting with Maggie and Shay while Shay’s dog, Daniel, took up position in front of the oven, whining at the chicken while it cooked.
After being introduced to Ross, as well as his and Dawn’s kids, Ryan and Shauna, Charli took a seat next to Maggie and Shay, immediately striking up a conversation like they were old friends. Warmth suffused my chest at how she focused on Shay’s hands while he signed to interpret what he said. She fit in with everyone so seamlessly, and an errant thought entered my head that I wished she was mine for real. After seeing she’d kept my hoodie for so many years, it was difficult not to blurt out how besotted I was. I wanted to be with Charli, but she was still working through a lot of stuff and clearly wasn’t ready for anything like that. All I could hope was that when she was finally in a better place, she might think to look my way.
At the end of dinner, and with many promises to come back again some Sunday, I drove Charli to Padraig and Jo’s. There was a peaceful, relaxed energy about her, and I loved seeing her like that. When I reached the house, there was a tightness in my chest. I didn’t want her to go, but I knew asking her to come back home with me would be pushing it.
“I had such a lovely time today,” Charli said. “Yesterday, too.”
I lifted her hand, bringing her knuckles to my mouth for a kiss. “Stop by my place any time,” I murmured. “You’re always welcome.”
“Well,” she said, looking shy. “Next time, I’ll call ahead and not just turn up on your doorstep.”
“As I said, anytime. I’m always happy to see you, Charli.”
Her eyes flared, some mysterious emotion passing over her features before she nodded, swallowing thickly. “Okay, well, I better get inside. Aunt Jo’s probably waiting with a million questions.”