Page 101 of Beneath the Quiet

“And I know he thinks you’re hot.”

My eyes bug out.

“What? How? Where did you hear him say that?”

“I overheard him talking on the phone, and when your name came up, I listened harder, and he said he thinks you’re feckin’ gorgeous.”

“Katie!” I gasp.

She holds up her hands. “That was a direct quote. I don’t usually swear. So, would you go out on a date with him if he asked you?”

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. How do I tell the daughter of the man I’m using for sex that the last thing I want is to date him?

“There you are!”

I whip my head around and practically run to Roísin. “Hi! Yes, here I am. Hello.”

She narrows her eyes and gives me a one-armed hug. “You’re acting weird,” she whispers in my ear.

I return her hug with a gentle squeeze. “I’ll tell you why later,” I whisper back, then pull away. “It’s great to see you. I thought you’d be busy at the shop all day.”

She grins at me and hugs Katie. “Nope. Cora can handle it for the next couple of hours, so I’m free to come and go as I please. Oh!” She points to the stall I just admired. “Look at all the cups with fruits on them!”

“I was just admiring them as well.” I rest my hand on Katie’s shoulder. “Don’t you think your dad needs a hand with his stand?”

“Yeah, probably. Will you stop by later?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Okay. See you then.”

I place a hand on my jittery tummy and release a breath.

Roísin puts a hand on my shoulder, and I move my head to meet her raised eyes.

“Oookay, so what’s going on with you, Maeve?”

I bundle my hair to the crown of my head. “That, my friend, was a girl who tried to set me up with her dad.”

Her jaw hits the floor. “What? Are you serious?” She waves a hand at me. “Katie’s only twelve, isn’t she?”

“Yes. Thanks for saving me.”

“You’re welcome. However…” She taps her mouth with her pointer finger.

“What?”

“Would it be such a bad thing to go out with him?”

I groan. “Yes! I’m not interested in dating anyone.”

She takes my right hand and tugs me along behind her. “I know, I know, and I’m not saying you should date him if you don’t want to, but…”

“But what?” I look around, grateful that there still aren’t many people milling about. The last thing I need is an audience to our conversation.

“Maybe the almost-settled village protector and the established unofficial guardian whose family has been a staple in Cloonmara for generations wouldn’t be such a bad match.”

I give her a look.