She made a show of sitting at the bar, far away from him. Far enough to make her point, but close enough to smell him every time the breeze from the open door shifted.
Paddy leaned over the bar. “You going to break any more hearts tonight, girl?”
“Not unless someone asks stupid questions,” she said sweetly.
Paddy grinned. “Good to have you back.”
She sipped her whiskey and waited for her turn.
Paddy clapped his hands for attention. “Right! Reading night! First up, the pride of Mountshannon herself—Miss Aisling O’Byrne!”
The room hooted and whistled.
She climbed the tiny stage, took a deep breath, and read her chapter—this one about strength, stubbornness, rebuilding something old and broken into something beautiful. About not settling. About demanding more—from life, from love.
When she finished, the crowd erupted in applause, stamping their feet and slapping tables. Even Ronan clapped, though she could see the mischief dancing in his eyes.
She bowed dramatically and made her way back to the bar.
Paddy winked. “You killed it.”
“Good,” she said, throwing back the rest of her whiskey. “Now I can enjoy watching Ronan Gallagher crash and burn.”
Paddy just chuckled. “Don’t be too sure, girl.”
She narrowed her eyes. Suspicious.
Paddy called Ronan’s name, and the pub quieted immediately.
He stood slowly, holding that single sheaf of papers. When he reached the stage, he didn't read right away. Instead, he stared at her.
Right at her.
The room disappeared.
Only him.
“Tonight,” he said, voice strong, “I’m not reading about fictional heroes or misty fields. I’m reading something real.”
The crowd murmured.
Aisling’s stomach flipped over itself.
He read a story about a stubborn woman with fire in her blood, who walked into his life and knocked down every wall he’d ever built. A woman who hated him on sight, fought him with everything she had, and slowly stole his heart anyway.
He spoke of the battle between pride and love, between old wounds and new beginnings.
And when he reached the final line, his voice softened, rich with something so raw it made her want to weep:
“I loved her before I even realized it. I loved her when she hated me. I love her still. And I'll love her every stubborn, maddening, beautiful day to come."
The pub exploded.
Cheers, whistles, pounding fists on tables.
Aisling sat frozen for a beat, then surged to her feet and stormed toward him.
When she reached him, she didn’t say a word.
