“I hope you’ll be comfortable here,” Dad says when Keira and Brigid leave to give us two a moment alone.
“This will be perfect, thank you.” I smile. “I’m really glad I’m here, Dad.”
His smile melts my heart. “I’m really glad you’re here, too. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Brigid and I are just a few doors down, okay?”
I nod. “Okay.”
“Good night, then.”
“Good night.”
He leaves and shuts the door behind him, leaving me by myself. I release a sigh and take time to unpack my suitcase and put things in the dresser drawers. When I’m done, the exhaustion from my day finally hits and I get ready for bed.
Climbing in under the quilt, I check my phone and am shocked to see I have a text message from Zander.
He hasn’t talked to me since I met him on his building’s front step. Really, he didn’t do any talking then.
Heart hammering and hands shaking, I open the message and read.
Zander: Hey, ClickTease. Would you still rather be a reverse mermaid?
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: FAMILY TIES
RYLEE
When I walkinto the house, I instantly hear Taylor Swift banging from upstairs. I grin and shake my head.
Keira’s home.
Making my way through the house, I head to the kitchen, expecting to find Brigid there. It’s been two weeks since I’ve been in Dublin, and I’ve been having an amazing time getting to know my extended family. Just like Dad said, we’ve been doing all the festive Christmas things together. Keira has a literal list she’s been checking off, determined to give me the full Irish Christmas experience.
More than that, I’ve been texting Mom and Zander daily. Things between Mom and me have been great. We’re more open and honest with each other, and I don’t feel so much pressure to meet her expectations anymore.
Things with Zander are less great. Not bad, but he still seems distant. More like an acquaintance than the love of my life.
Which he is. Without a fucking doubt.
Still, I’m grateful he’s at least willing to talk to me at all. I’ll take whatever I can get.
Stepping into the kitchen, I find Brigid sitting at the table with a steaming cup of tea in front of her. She’s wearing a green turtleneck and her short red hair is pushed back from her face with a black headband.
She arches a brow when she sees me. “Home a bit early, aren’t you?”
My cheeks heat and I pull out a chair to sit next to her.
“I left early,” I admit. “It was… awkward.”
My attempt at joining a self-help group did not go how I hoped. I got there and everyone was friendly and welcoming, but when it came time to share, I just felt weird. Talking to a room full of strangers about my deepest darkest secrets was way harder than I anticipated.
Brigid nods. “I’m sure it’s not easy talking to strangers like that. Some people have a natural ability for it, others don’t. You need to find what works best for you.”
I rest my elbow on the table and prop my chin in my hand. “I’ve always journaled. Since high school, I’ve been writing in journals to get out all my frustrations.”
“That’s a good practice,” Brigid replies. “But, tell me this, have you ever written down any solutions to those frustrations? Or journaled any positives in your life?”
I press my lips together and shake my head. “No… not really.”
“Well, maybe that might help you more,” she suggests, her emerald gaze soft. “Turn the negative into a positive and then work through it to find solutions.”
