Page 14 of Troubles

He watches as I pour him a fresh whiskey. “Things couldn’t look any better.”

I snap my attention up to meet his hooded gaze. My whole body heats up. Desire rushing through me. “I…uh…okay. I’ll let the chef know.”

He has me so off balance and flustered. I know I’m running away again, but I let the hostess know the bar is unattended for a bit, and run to the restroom. Bracing my hands on the counter, I stare at my reflection. For the love of God, I look panicked.

He’s just being kind—I’m just a distraction. I wash my hands, letting the cool water run over my wrists hoping it’ll help to calm me. He’s getting to me.

My mini-breakdown lasts longer than it should and when I get back to the bar, he’s gone.

Just gone. His glass is empty. Plates neatly stacked. Gone.

I fill the drink orders that have accumulated while I was busy falling apart in the bathroom for no reason, and check on the rest of the customers at the bar. When I clear Aidan’s plates, I find a hundred-dollar bill and a note on a cocktail napkin. I clear his tab and tuck the ridiculous tip in my back pocket. No way in hell am I keeping that. With a quick glance to see that everyone at the bar’s glasses are full, I lean against the register and focus on the note.

Lisbeth,

I enjoyed taking care of you this morning and wanted to see you again. I’m sorry I’m making you uncomfortable. That’s not my intent. I’ll leave you be for the remainder of your term so you can study and make grades. But I’ve let your boss know that you need the weekend after term end off work. Don’t bother trying to change it—she agrees fully that you need a break. Study hard. Do well. And I’ll see you in three weeks’ time. Hang on to my jacket as long as you need.

xx

Aidan

10

Aidan

It’s time. The last three weeks of her term are over and I’ve got our trip to NYC planned. Gracyn has been brilliant, feeding me details on when Lisbeth’s last exam is, letting me know what time to be here. Waiting.

The day is gorgeous and it gets even better as I watch her walk toward her building. All her focus on her phone, brows pinched together and nose wrinkled. I want to photograph her. She is art in motion. And she’s not paying attention at all to her surroundings, just about tripping over me sitting on her steps.

“Shit. You scared me.” Her hand flies up to her chest as she startles. “What are you doing here?”

I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “How was your exam?” I hand her a steaming cup of coffee and stand to let her by.

“Good. I’m done—for this semester.” I watch as she rolls her shoulders shaking off the stress of the term and adjusts her ruck. Every movement captivates me. She is stunning.

“Mmm…thank you for this. That final started way too early.” She raises the coffee to her lips and inhales a long pull from the cup. “Oh my God, this is so good.” She’s wrapped around her coffee like it’s going to save her life. The tension visibly leaves her body as the caffeine settles in.

Following her inside the flat, I take her bag and set it by the front door. “We have a few minutes, if you want to grab your bag. I think Gracyn put everything you’ll need for the day in there.” Her expression is beautifully confused.

She sets her coffee on the hall table and props a hand on her hip. “What do you mean?”

“Love, I told you weeks ago we were going to the city today to celebrate your term end. You’re done now, yeah?” She nods tightly, like I’m an eejit since we just fucking discussed this. “Where’s your confusion, then?” I step closer to her. “Grab what you need,” I lean in and pluck the coffee from her hand, “and let’s go.” I look her straight in the eye as I take a drink from her cup, loving that my lips rest where hers were only minutes ago. I smile and turn, heading out the door—grabbing her keys on the way to make my point.

The city is humming with activity, a drastic change from the quiet calm of the train ride in. We practically had the train car to ourselves and the solitude combined with the movement of the train and clack of the tracks lulled Lisbeth to sleep. Her head dipped to my shoulder as the car swayed on the rails. The scent of her hair enveloped and soothed me and I savored the feel of her body against mine. It was heaven.

As we exit Grand Central Station, I stop and grab a hot pretzel and a couple bottles of water. “Is there anything specific that you want to do today? Museums? Shops? A show?”

She shakes her head when I point to the mustard accompanying our paper-wrapped pretzel.

I hand Lisbeth a bottle of water, and place my hand at her back, guiding her down the crowded sidewalk.

“Nothing specific, I just really like it here. The people watching is out of this world—where else can you see Elmo, Cinderella, and the Naked Cowboy in the same place?” We head north toward Central Park, weaving through the throngs of people and sharing our pretzel.

“I have a friend from Dublin, here.” I look to see her reaction. “He asked to meet for a drink a little later on, is that alright?”

“Of course, are you kidding me? I can hang out in the park, or whatever, take as much time as you need—I can just…” She’s so sweet.

“Jimmy’s down here too. He had to visit his gran this morning but said he’d meet us for dinner so you’ve someone to talk to while I catch up with Liam.” I’ve waited far too long to spend this time with Lis, I don’t want to spend even a single minute away from her.

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