So, I’m stuck.
Ash and I finish dinner and call the others to the table. I sit beside my sister, across from Vivien. Ro is sitting beside her because he’s tenacious and he’s not giving up. I wonder if he feels the electricity charging the air between Viv and me or if it’s all in my head.
It’s kind of freaking me out. I don’t think this is normal. It’s like my entire body is plugged into a live socket and every nerve ending is sparking with awareness. I’m quiet as I listen to the others talking, studying Viv when no one is looking. How she can make leggings and an oversized jumper attractive is beyond me. I think the girl could wear a black sack and I’d still be attracted to her.
If I don’t get to touch her soon, I might self-combust.
I remind myself, not for the first time, that I can’t get attached. I’m not overly worried. I don’t catch feelings. I just need to fuck this freaky chemistry out of my system while sticking to the program.
“Are you in, Dil?” Ash asks, and I come back to the moment.
“What?”
She rolls her eyes. “I knew you weren’t listening. Grace got us all tickets to see The Frames at Kilmainham on Saturday.” She pops a forkful of curry into her mouth.
“Why would you do that?” I eyeball Vivien across the table.
She sets her cutlery down. “I’ve heard The Royal Hospital Kilmainham is an iconic venue, and The Frames are an underhyped band. I want to see them, and I thought it’d be fun to go as a group. Consider it my way of saying thanks for welcoming me so warmly.”
Ro snorts out a laugh. “If that’s the criteria, Dillon doesn’t deserve a ticket.”
Fact.
“Don’t be mean. He has apologized, and they’re starting over.” Ash is quick to defend me, as always. “Plus, it’s meant to be. You guys normally play Bruxelles on Saturdays, but they’re closed for renovations, so you don’t really have any reason to turn it down.”
“I was suggesting we make a day of it.” Ro slides his arm along the back of Vivien’s chair. “We could meet for brunch, do the GPO and a few other touristy things before heading to the venue.”
“We should book the Skyline and Kilmainham Gaol,” I say, because the view of Dublin city from the Skyline Tour is spectacular and every visitor should see it. Kilmainham Gaol is steeped in history and not far from the venue, so it makes sense to include it in the itinerary.
“Does that mean you’ll come?” Ash asks.
My gaze meets Vivien’s, and her brownish-green eyes instantly suck me in. “Yeah. I’m in.”
A faint blush steals over her cheeks before she tears her eyes from mine and smiles at Ash. “I’m super excited to do all the things. I can’t wait.”
24
AGE 20
“What happened with you and the princess at the Skyline?” Jamie asks as we stand off to the side on our own at the venue where The Frames are playing. Ash, Cat, Vivien, and Ro are a few feet behind us. This is an all-standing event, and it’s a full-capacity crowd, but we’re in the gold circle meaning we’re not too squashed and we’re close to the stage with a great view. I’m not surprised. Only the best for the Hollywood princess after all.
“She pissed me off,” I truthfully reply, tagging a swig from the naggin of whiskey Ash snuck into the venue in her knickers.
Things had been going great today until the subject of Reeve Fucking Lancaster came up. I told Vivien I know who she is. It was going to come out at some point. I thought I’d get it out of the way at the outset so it’s one less obstacle between us. But then it turned into a row when I brought up those fucking roses and her so-called ex. She got snippy. I got pissy, and here we are.
Jamie chuckles before grimacing as he takes a mouthful of cheap beer. “Pissing her off all the time won’t help you get into her knickers.”
“Who said I want to get into her knickers?”
He tosses me a lopsided grin. “You can’t still be in denial. This is me, fucker.” He jabs me in the ribs. “I’m your best mate. I know when you want someone, and you want her.”
I decide to come somewhat clean. “I don’t just want in her knickers.”
“I know that too.”
I arch a brow in silent question.
He smirks. “You two have been eye fucking one another from the start. It’s clear neither of you are looking for a one-night stand. It’s as obvious as the nose on both your faces.”
