He straightens and reaches out, gently tugging me closer by the edge of my jacket.
“You look great tonight.”
“Please, stop.”
“I mean it.”
“Are you actually trying to be a gentleman?”
He shrugs.“Something like that.”
“Then you should kiss me.That’s how it’s done.”
He lets out a half-hearted laugh.“I’ll fix that right away.”
His hands slide into my hair, fingers weaving through the strands as his breath mingles with mine.He kisses me with a longing that feels like he’s been waiting for this — that he’s missed me, that he never wants to let me go.
“Is that better?”
“We’re getting there.”
“Come on, or we’ll be late.”
“And where exactly are you taking me?”
“Just get in the car and you’ll find out.”
“Where the hell are we?”I ask as I climb out of his car.
“No questions, Doctor.Trust me.”
“I’d like to, but we’re miles from town.Is this even still County Dublin?”
“It is.And anyway, does it make any difference?”
“I don’t know.Are you going to kill me and dump my body in the sea?”
He laughs.“The idea hadn’t crossed my mind, but now that you mention it…”
“Surely no one would come looking for me out here.”
“You’re just full of suggestions today.”
“You’re right.I’d better shut up.”
“Let’s go, or the night will start without us.”
“What night?”
“You ask a lot of questions,” he says, heading for the club.It seems one of those local spots where a few shady types and the regular drunks hang about.
“This place is creepy.”
“Are you still talking?”he teases, before pushing the door open and waving me in.
The warmth of the place immediately seeps into my bones, along with the music, the buzz of people, the clink of glasses, and a pleasant, familiar atmosphere that has nothing to do with how it looks from the outside.
Jamie moves confidently through the pub, as if he’s been here a hundred times.He leads us towards the counter, and I fall in step beside him, still trying to take everything in.“Hey, Patrick!”
