Shit, Keelin thought. She wasn't prepared to think about that herself let alone hash it out with someone else.
"Fine. I won't ask you about Cait. On one condition. Tell me everything you know about Flynn."
Shane smiled as he walked her to the car, his hand on the small of her back. He opened the door and leaned in to brush her hair back as she got in the car. She looked at him questioningly.
"Just giving the servers something to gossip about. Flynn owns this restaurant."
Keelin groaned. Leave it to Shane to let this little detailslide until the end of the night. He got in the car and she punched him in the shoulder.
"Ow! What was that for?" Shane winced.
"You knew this was Flynn's restaurant and you said nothing? You jerk!"
"Oh, stop. You wanted to make him jealous or you wouldn't have gone out with me. And what better place to do it in than his own restaurant?" Shane raised his eyebrows at Keelin.
Keelin knew he was right. She didn't always like to admit to this baser part of herself. But she did want to make a point that Flynn wasn't the only thing on her mind. Though he had played a predominant part in her dreams as of late.
"Tell me about him."
Shane started the car and pointed it up towards the longer route home. This was a drive Keelin hadn't taken yet and she watched the lights slice over the hedges as they climbed higher into the hills.
"Flynn is a little bit of an outcast. He likes to keep to himself, yet he is very popular in town. He does a little bit of everything. A fisherman at heart, he also owns acres of land that head far up into the hills. He has a strong affinity for animals and has spent years cultivating the best Irish setters in the country. That little pup of yours was more than just a gift; it most likely cost a thousand Euros."
Keelin let out a shocked sound. She had known that Ronan was important but she thought it was more because Flynn was forcing her to make a choice on staying. She hadn't stopped to consider the cost of the dog, and the sheer enormity of such a gift hit her. Was Flynn wooingher? She began to feel a little lousy about her evening with Shane. What kind of message was that to Flynn? Even though he was bad-tempered, he had saved her several times – she didn't want to think how many times – and had given her the expensive gift of Ronan. Keelin realized that she may have been missing a few signals along the way. But damn, that man got her Irish up.
"What about his family?" she asked.
"Both his parents have passed on. His father was a fisherman and he often fished with your father. His mother was an artist and her work was well renowned. Flynn moved to their house when they both died and has been living there ever since. Aside from me, he is one of the most successful men in the village. Don't let his rugged farm-boy looks fool you; that man is rich as can be. That restaurant you just ate in? He owns fifteen of them up the coast of Ireland. Each unique, each charming, and each packed, standing room only, every night of the week. His fresh catch of the day is renowned and the mussels he pulls from Grace's Cove are famous. No other restaurant is able to claim their mussels come from there. Nobody else dares to go there. Flynn is a master in his own right."
Keelin was floored by this information. Flynn was rich? Here she thought he was a poor fisherman making his living by his daily catch. She would need to reevaluate her opinion of him from poor farmer/fisherman to cunning businessman. For some reason, it made her angry. She felt like he had misrepresented himself to her and it didn't sit well with her.
"He never said a word." Keelin stared into the dark as the car climbed higher into the hills.
"He wouldn’t. Flynn doesn’t talk about money." Shane crested over a ridge and they looked down at the lights of a large ranch house, triple the size of Fiona's, that spread out overlooking the hills. Several stables were lit and clustered closely to the house. Keelin could see horses being led in from the pasture and several dogs running around. Floodlights illuminated the spread and it was neat, clean, and beautifully appointed. A variety of different sized boats were on trailers tucked behind the stables.
"Flynn's?" Keelin asked.
"Flynn's," Shane said. He wound the car down the hills towards Fiona's house and Flynn's spread disappeared from view. Keelin couldn't believe how much he oversaw. That man seemed to be everywhere at once and he had so much responsibility. She was amazed to find her attraction growing. This was the type of man Margaret would approve of. It didn't make sense.
Shane pulled quietly into the drive and cut the lights. He leaned back and turned his head towards hers. "Wanna make out?"
Keelin smacked him on the shoulder again.
"Ow, I had to try. I mean, we might as well see if there is anything between us then."
Snaking his hand out, he slipped his arm behind her and dove in for a kiss. Shocked, Keelin didn't move for a second. She let his mouth move over hers, testing, kissing gently. She tried it out for a second and was relieved to feel nothing. Taking a deep breath, she punched him in the gut.
"Oough! Youch. You've got a nasty punch." Shane doubled over and looked at her, deeply wounded.
"Stop it. You know you didn't feel anything anymore than I did."
Shane sighed. "You're right. I wanted to though. I really would like to run my hands down your curves. Sure I can't change your mind?" He leered at her. This time she saw it for what it was and laughed at him. Leaning over, she gave him a hug and thanked him for dinner.
She closed the door and peered in the window. "Go take a cold shower."
He laughed and waved, pulling out of the drive carefully. Keelin could hear Ronan's yips inside. She let herself in and saw a note on the table. "The O'Briens' boy is ill, I'm not sure when I will be home." Feeling guilty for not being there to help Fiona out, Keelin put her purse down and knelt to pet Ronan. The puppy writhed in ecstasy and she laughed down at him.
"I should've called you something more suiting a fancy king that you are." He tumbled over and lay with his paws up, grinning at her endearingly. "Come on, let's take you out for a walk."
