My breath caught. It was one of my favorites because it had been one of my mum’s favorites.
Cammie reached for my hand under the table and squeezed it. I covered hers with my other and held on as Quinn’s band played the song. People tapped their feet to the lighthearted melody while I sat in turmoil. Quinn had promised not to expect more from me than physical intimacy, but he hadn’t promised not to pursue me. And apparently that meant making a public declaration in front of our town.
It could leave him with egg on his face. It most likely would.
Why would he do this?
I must have muttered the words out loud because Cammie leaned in and murmured, “Because he loves you and he doesn’t see any point in pretending otherwise.”
An ache flared across my chest, and I barely touched the drink Murray got me as the band played through its set list.
Cammie nudged me, her gaze all too knowing. “Tell me again you and my brother haven’t slept together.”
“Of course we’ve slept together. We used to date.”
She made a face. “Evasions, evasions.”
I blew out a sigh, shifting nervously in my seat as I waited for the band to finish. After they bid the audience good night, Forde went to the bar while Quinn and Laird made their way over to us. My big brother leaned down to press a kiss to my cheek. He’d called me every day since he’d heard about the attack on Saturday. At first, he was pissed off I hadn’t told him (Quinn had), but I didn’t want him to worry. He’d offered to come stay with me, but I didn’t want to interrupt his life with Finella and the kids. As a fisherman, he worked hard, and Finella needed him around during his free time.
“You doing all right?” He hovered, blocking Quinn from getting to me.
“I’m fine. I’m here. I’m safe,” I reassured Laird for the millionth time.
He grunted but nodded. “I need to get back to Ella and the kids.”
“I know. Go. I’m surrounded by people here.”
Quinn peered over his shoulder at me. “And I’ll walk her home.”
Laird rolled his eyes where Quinn couldn’t see, making me chuckle. My brother winked at me and leaned over to press another kiss to my temple. “You call me if you need me.”
“I will. Night, big brother.”
“Night, Taran.” He brushed past Quinn, giving him a big-brotherly scowl just for the sake of it.
Quinn was completely unfazed as he slid into the booth, forcing everyone to budge along. Even then it was a tight squeeze. Our faces were only inches from each other.
“There are other seats.”
He shrugged unrepentantly. “This is comfy.”
“There’s an open mic night here next Wednesday,” Cammie announced to the table. “I saw Aodhan putting posters up around the harbor.”
Ramsay grimaced. “Note to self: Stay home next Wednesday.”
Tierney chuckled, shaking her head at his surliness before she looked across the table at London. “If Spoon didn’t have stage fright, I’d say she should do it.” She called London by her nickname.
Cammie studied the redhead. “You can sing?”
“Nope.”
Her best friend tutted. “Lies. London has a beautiful voice.”
“Aye? Murray’s voice isn’t so bad either,” Quinn opined. “Maybe you should go up there, Mur.”
“No, thanks.” He cast London another glance just as she looked at him. They both quickly jerked their gazes away from each other.
I smiled to myself as I took a drink of my gin and tonic.
