I watch as he fingers a few items then pulls a couple to look them over before putting them back. He then grabs a cute sundress that has an open back. Next, he grabs a denim crop jacket.
I take the items as he hands them over and hold them up. It’s a cute outfit. The dress is colorful. Pink, orange, and yellow, the jacket is a light-blue denim wash.
Putting on the dress and then the jacket, I wonder what shoes I should wear. Cole turns to me and holds up a pair of denim wedge sneakers that are perfect. I grin and take the sneakers from his hand.
It is in this moment I note he’s wearing light-wash jeans and a fitted T-shirt under a black leather jacket. Black construction boots are on his feet.
“Thank you. This is cute,” I say once I have the shoes on and I take a glance in the mirror.
Cole takes my hand and leads me out of the closet. I can’t help but wonder what this date is that he’s in such a rush. There’s something about his demeanor I can’t put my finger on.
Oh well, we shall see.
***
The drivehere has taken some time. Cole won’t tell me where he’s taking me, no matter how many times I ask. Now that he’s parking, I’m totally confused.
We’re in a nice-looking neighborhood, from what I can tell, but there are mostly shops lining the lane. However, I don’t seea restaurant other than Chinese, but it looks more like a takeout place, not someplace to sit down for a date.
“Come on, get your ass out of the car,” he says with a smile on his lips as he opens my door.
I roll my eyes at him, but take his hand and step out. That’s when I see the awning. My mouth falls open, and tears burn my eyes.
Walsh’s.
“I couldn’t decide on a name at first. I thought of calling it DJ’s, but it’s an Irish pub. O’Brien’s would have brought too much attention, so I went with Walsh’s,” Cole says as he wraps his arm around my waist and leads me to the front door.
“What have ya done?” I choke out.
“It’s yours. You like working in pubs. I thought this would be a place that would make you feel at home.”
“Have I told ya how much I love ya?” I say as I leap into his arms.
“You’re adorable when you’re happy. This is nothing. Come on, I want you to see inside.”
He pecks my lips and gives me a squeeze. When we step inside, I’m in awe. The place is much bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. It immediately has a homey feel.
I might give him some slack on his accent because he nailed the Irish pub vibe with this place. I couldn’t have designed it better myself.
My heart fills as I realize Cole never fails to show me how much he loves me. I feel bad for not trusting him. I learned a lot about a loving, trusting relationship from being around Uri and Val.
I look behind the bar and smile when I see the bat he gifted me mounted to the wall. As I see it, I realize how long I’ve had that type of relationship.
“I love it. Thank you so much, Cole.”
“Anything for you, love.”
Brooklyn
I’mhappy to give this place to DJ. The smile on her face made it worth it. Although it broke my heart when she saw the framed picture of her and her parents.
She broke down and sobbed in my arms. I wish I knew more about what happened all those years ago. I’ve had to swallow down that need to know because I’m not going to ask her.
I see how much pain it causes her. If I’m meant to know, the answers will come to me without me having to add to her hurt. All I want is to make her happy.
“That was delicious,” she sings as she finishes the meal the chef I brought in prepared.
I’m leaving the decision to open a kitchen here to her. Pubs with kitchens in this area do better. However, of the pubs I’ve seen her manage, they didn’t have one.
