Page 40 of Irish Getaway

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Claire whispered.

Evelyn visibly swallowed. “There’s a reason I wanted to show you this.” She looked away for a second. “Just as we were leaving here yesterday, the presenter said, jokingly I’m sure, that this property had just come up for sale and that I could buy it. So, I did. This morning.”

Claire’s breathing slowed, waiting for Evelyn to continue, her mind already jumping ahead to what this might mean.

“It’s a twenty-two acre site,” Evelyn said, “But the back of it runs up against this three bedroom bungalow that’s been on the market for a few weeks now.”

Claire felt like the ground mind be tilting beneath her.

“And I put in an offer for that this morning too. All cash and above asking, so there shouldn’t be any problems,” Evelyn said, her eyes searching Claire’s.

“What are you saying?”

Evelyn took a deep breath, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “I tried to move on, Claire. I really did. Despite working on an amazing project, the kind of movie that I could only have dreamt about being a part of, and I was still miserable. I was so… I don’t know. Just sick of the way I was living. I had no intention of coming out, but I just felt so… suffocated. I’d backed myself into a corner, and I just couldn’t wait to get out. I knew I had to start making some changes.”

Claire shook her head, struggling to process everything Evelyn was saying. The idea of Evelyn buying property here, so close to where she lived seemed almost too good to be true.

“I still can’t believe you came out,” Claire said, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve changed so much since the last time you were here.”

Evelyn’s lips curled into a soft smile. “I don’t know about that. I’m still crazy about you.”

Claire’s heart skipped a beat at those words, and she felt a warmth spread through her chest. She felt like she was dreaming. Evelyn was here, standing in front of her, confessing her feelings and revealing the steps she’d taken to be closer to her. It was almost too much to process.

She reached out, her hand gently cupping Evelyn’s cheek as she gazed into those captivating brown eyes that had haunted her dreams for the past two years. “I tried so hard to move on,” Claire admitted, her voice wavering.

Evelyn leaned into her touch, a single tear sliding down her cheek. “I’m so sorry for leaving the way I did. You have no idea.”

Claire swallowed down the lump in her throat. “You had to. It was just bad timing.”

“Then I’m sorry for not staying in touch. For insisting that we didn’t.” Evelyn sighed. “I was just trying to protect myself.”

“Are you really staying?”

“Yes.” Evelyn inhaled a deep breath. “I haven’t really thought too far ahead. I didn’t know if you’d want to see me. Arianna has no idea I’m doing this. As for the properties? Either way, I’d like to own this and hold onto that bit of history, but if you think you’d be willing to give me a second chance? Then yes. I’m staying.”

Claire pressed her lips together. “I never thought I’d see you again,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I know,” Evelyn said. “I’m asking you to forgive me.”

Claire shook her head. “It’s not a matter of forgiving you. I just can’t believe this is really happening. That you’re here. That you haven’t forgotten…”

“Never. I could never forget,” Evelyn said, her hand warm against Claire’s cheek. “Never.” She leaned in, her lips brushing softly against Claire’s in a tender kiss.

EPILOGUE

Claire wrapped her arms around herself, trying to fend off the October chill that seemed to seep through every layer of her clothing. She stood on the outskirts of the set, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of crew members adjusting lights and positioning cameras. The normally empty fields had been transformed into a movie set, all of it revolving around a thatched cottage that had been restored just for this movie.

They were back filming again, and Evelyn, dressed in a stylish 1930s outfit featuring a belted burgundy wool coat and a vintage hat, stood out as the scene outside the cottage came to life.

Claire watched as Evelyn transformed into her character, a determined woman navigating the complexities of life during that decade, her expression intense and captivating despite the cold. Even in the midst of the organized chaos of a film set, Evelyn’s presence was magnetic.

A few minutes later, the director’s voice sent everyone in motion again. “Cut!”

Evelyn turned towards Claire, a warm smile replacing the fierce determination she’d worn moments before. She lifted the hem of her coat slightly, making her way over, her breath visible in the cool air. “Sorry you have to spend your birthday standing out in the cold.”

Claire shook her head, her smile widening. “It’s my first time on a set like this. It’s amazing to see all the work that goes into it. And I’m with you, getting to see what you do best.”

Evelyn laughed softly, her eyes almost twinkling. “Any comments on my accent?”

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