Then my eyes shift to Lilah, and for a second, we just look at each other. Her blue eyes are distant, almost fragile, like she’s carrying something she doesn’t know how to put down. There’s a softness there that used to undo me.
It doesn’t anymore.
I turn back to the table, shutting that chapter down in my head where it belongs.
Leaning into Effa, I press a gentle kiss to her cheek. “How’s your head?” I murmur close to her ear.
She sighs. “Pounding, but I’ll be fine.”
Seeing her in pain twists something in my chest every single time, and knowing it’s worsened, likely because of Lilah’s sudden appearance, does my head in. A dark thought slips through me.
Did Lilah know we were in town?
Did she come here on purpose?
Surely she wouldn’t be that reckless.
“So, I ordered for you, bro,” Kiera calls out from across the table. “You seemed occupied, and I didn’t want to hold Kass up.”
I glance at her. “Thanks. I assume I’ll be having something tragic like quinoa salad or some ridiculous health experiment?”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Not this time. I’m being nice. Sirloin, fries, and onion rings.”
“God, yes. I knew I loved you for a reason.”
“You’re welcome,” she replies, lifting her chin proudly before clearing her throat. The sound turns into a small cough she tries to hide, and my brows pull together instantly. She waves me off and turns toward Lettie, deliberately ignoring the look I’m giving her.
“What was that?” Effa asks quietly.
“That was Kiera pretending she’s fine,” I reply under my breath. “Between your headache and her acting like nothing’s wrong, I think once we’ve eaten, we head home. Everyone needs rest.”
“You’re really bossy, you know that?”
“Only when it comes to protecting the women I love.”
She smiles. “I’m kidding. I know you’re just protective of what’s yours.”
The corner of my mouth lifts as she leans in and presses her lips to mine, soft and warm. A round of exaggerated cheering erupts from the table, followed by applause that spreads through the pub. I chuckle against her mouth, pulling back slightly as the noise crescendos.
Let them cheer.
Effa’smine.
And I’m not letting anyone, especially not ghosts from my past, make her forget that.
***
Dinner settles into an easy rhythm after that, and everyone’s getting along.
Gran is deep in conversation with Donny and Lettie, laughing louder than I’ve heard her laugh in a long time. Kiera is soaking up the attention from the crew, and Effa and I sit back for a moment, watching both worlds collide in a way that feels unexpectedly right.
Leaning into Effa’s side, I nudge her gently. “You doing okay?”
She smiles softly. “Yeah. My headache has eased off a little after eating. And seeing everyone happy like this… it helps.”
I nod, glancing down the table at the chaos of overlapping conversations. “Yeah, this is pretty cool.”
Placing a kiss to her temple, I shift in my seat. “I’ll be right back. Duty calls.”
