“I think that’s up for debate at the moment.”
Jack looks me over again, and his expression changes, still charming, but with a layer of hesitation. “I’m not sure if I’m supposed to love you or hate you.”
“When in doubt go with both. That’s what I do.”
Jack nods. He straightens and crosses his arms over his chest. “What are you doing here, then, Nina?”
I nod to the kitchen door. “I think that’s obvious.”
Jack shrugs a shoulder. “Is it? I don’t think so. From what I’ve heard you’re supposedly the most spectacular girl who’s walked God’s green earth, and yet you broke my big brother’s wee little heart. So why don’t you spell it out for me, Nina Lejeune?”
Jack smiles at me, and I can’t help but laugh. “You’re Ollie’s brother, all right. The two of you are absolute shits.”
His smile becomes a grin. “We’re two shining shites, Ollie and me. And you’re exactly like he said.”
“How’s that?” I ask, but before Jack can answer the kitchen door swings open, and Ollie appears in the doorway, a bewildered look on his face.
“Jackie, I must be losing it. I swear I just heard...” The end of his sentence trails off when he notices me. “Nina,” he says, my name in his mouth somehow a question and statement at the same time.
I’m too nervous to try to decipher the look on his face. “Hi.”
Ollie is rooted to the spot in the doorway. I try to think ofsomething to say, but everything I rehearsed on the flight and subsequent train ride into Cobh leaves me. It hurts to look at him. I’ve missed him even more than I realized.
Jack props his chin in a hand and looks at Jo. “Are they always this... silent?”
Jo laughs. “I wish. Usually there’s a lot more profanity.”
“Can we talk?” I say to Ollie.
Ollie sweeps a hand through his hair and looks at Jack.
“Oh, go on,” Jack says. “I managed this place well enough before you got here.”
Ollie looks at me, and I wish I could figure out what he’s thinking. “I’ll be right out,” he says. He disappears into the kitchen, and as the door swings shut, I catch sight of him untying the apron from around his waist.
“You look like you’re freaking out,” Jo whispers to me.
“I’m not freaking out,” I whisper back.
Jack, who is doing a shit job of pretending not to eavesdrop, sets one pint in front of me and one in front of Jo. He leans forward and whispers, “I gotta go with Jo on this one. You’re definitely freaking out. You’ve got this twitch in your cheek.”
I bring a hand to my face. “Thank God I’m an only child,” I say.
Jack grins at me. “He still loves you, you know. Can’t promise I know how your little gab sesh will play out, but the boy is hopelessly heartsick, you can be sure of that.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, and take a sip from the pint.
When Ollie returns, he joins his brother behind the bar and eyes me with hesitation. “You’ve met Jack, I see,” he says.
“He’s absolutely charming, Oliver,” I say.
“Don’t trust this bastard. Smiles the whole time he’s slagging you,” Ollie says. He slaps Jack on the back, making him splutter on the pint he’s poured for himself. “Quit drinking on the job.”
Jack’s gaze flicks from Ollie to me. “My brother’s ex and her friend walk into my pub and it’s not the start of a clever joke? I’m going to need this,” he says. “Say, you want one too, Ollie Wollie?”
Ollie rolls his eyes and doesn’t respond. “Wanna go for a walk?” he says to me.
“Sure.”
