Fury pumped through her, and her hand flashed out before the thought even formed. The crack of her palm over his cheek reverberated in the pub, and the few customers who weren’t already staring turned to check out the ruckus.
“Ow,”Dallas said.
“Has that cleared the fog from your brain?” she demanded. “Or do you need another one to jog your mind into gear?”
Patrick let out a startled laugh, but she didn’t shift her gaze off Dallas.
“I’ve made my choice and I don’t intend to go anywhere,” Laura said. “If you’ve changed your mind and don’t want me, tell me now. My family irritates the crap out of me, but I’d prefer not to be shunned if you’re having second thoughts. Do you want me or do I go home?”
“I want you.”
“Then stop acting the idiot and start using your brain. I’m giving up a lot for you.”
“Why?”
“Why?” Her voice rose until it neared a screech. “Idiot! Because I like you. You give me so much. Acceptance. Security. Independence. Friendship. Love.”
His eyes tracked her hands as she waved them in emphasis. He was quiet for a few beats longer. “What about your belongings at your parents’?”
“The important stuff is right here.”
His face softened. “Sorry, I’ve had too much time alone to think. I do love you.”
“Good,” Laura said, and she sidled closer, stealing a kiss.
“If you two are gonna get mushy, you’ll have to move upstairs. Our pub license doesn’t cover that sort of thing,” Patrick said.
Dallas’s cell phone rang, and he checked the screen. “It’s Ma. I’ll ring her back once I get to the apartment.”
“Looks as if Quinn carried out his threat,” Patrick said. “Do you want me to talk to her? Tell her not to worry.”
“Nah, I’ll do it,” Dallas said.
“I’d better get to the kitchen to help with the prep work. See you in an hour.” And with a wave Laura headed for the kitchen.
“Okay, how are you? The truth.” Patrick asked once Laura had disappeared.
“My arm hurts like a bitch.” Dallas stared after Laura, not reassured, despite her certainty. What would happen six months down the track when it was her birthday or another special occasion? “And now my face hurts too.”
“Take some painkillers.”
“They make me sleepy, and I wake up with a cotton candy brain.”
Patrick poured a beer for one of their regulars before returning to Dallas. “I thought that was the idea, to rest and heal. What are you going to tell Ma?”
“The truth.”
“Which is?”
“You have customers to serve.”
“Lounging around in hospital hasn’t helped your temperament.”
Dallas scowled into his cup of coffee. The time in hospital had given him hours to think, to worry, and Quinn’s harsh laying down of the law hadn’t helped. Laura was young, and he kept thinking about Maria. Her cheating, and the way she’d always twisted everything and made it seem as if he were at fault. She’d said he’d demanded too much from her and his high expectations were crippling to her emotions.
What if he was pushing Laura and she grew to resent him? For them—because of their families—there would be no second chances. There was too much ill-will between the O’Gradys and the Drummonds.
“Dallas.”
