Page 15 of Troubles

We continue on along some of the smaller paths and come out at a small white gazebo and huge rock that juts out into the lake at the center of the park. There’s a boathouse along here somewhere, but the view from this rock is gorgeous and we are remarkably alone.

It amazes me that in a city of this size, two people can find a private moment at all, let alone in such a public place. I watch as she scrambles up the rock. I should have gone ahead of her and helped her up, but the view from behind her is worth my breach of chivalry. I climb up after her and set myself down on the top of the rock.

Turning with a sweet smile over her shoulder, she lowers herself down next to me. “This is one of my all-time favorite places. I love it here.” She practically whispers, “It’s so serene. I saw a marriage proposal last time I was down here.” She looks toward the arched bridge wistfully. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

I run my hand down her back, unable to refrain from touching her. Grasping her hand, I pull her in close, her back to my front. Her body melting into mine. She untwines our hands, instead running her fingers lightly up and down my arm. “Tell me what was beautiful about it. Was there a rowboat? Champagne and great declarations of love? Tell me you heard him quoting Oscar Wilde.”

“No. Nothing that elaborate. Just a simple proposal. At the center of that arched bridge.” She nods off to our left. She’s quiet a moment and obviously touched by the memory. “They weren't dressed up, they weren’t doing anything fancy, just enjoying a day together completely alone, surrounded by a ton of people. He paused just shy of the top of the arch, pulled her around to face him, holding both her hands in his.” She meets my stare and smirks. “No Wilde was harmed or abused in the overture. He just got down on one knee and asked.” She looks back at the bridge—seeming lost in the memory. “She said ‘yes,’ and he pulled a small box from his pocket. It was a normal, nothing day that became the start of their forever.”

It hit me then how simple she is. Not simple. Uncomplicated in her wants and desires. I’m the one making things complicated for her.

I’d heard what she told her boss the night I had dinner at her bar. I got it the first time she told me she had a plan and needs to stick to it. I just can’t stop myself from wanting to be with her. This is becoming more than a distraction to me—much more.

I hold her hand, touch her back, some kind of contact for our walk through Central Park and the little zoo that’s there. The time passes far too quickly and we need to get on to meet up with Jimmy and Liam at McCoy’s.

I need to talk to Liam. I need to know what’s going on at home.

11

Lis

Aidan’s been touching me in some small way all day. And though I’m not used to being on the receiving end of so much attention, I don’t hate it. I don't hate it at all. Weeks ago, it made me really self-conscious—exposed and on edge. But, now I think I like it.

It was reassuring, having his touch as we walked through Central Park and the zoo. It had been so much a part of our day that it totally takes me by surprise when he drops my hand and puts a little extra space between us as we walk into the pub where we’re meeting Jimmy for dinner. I try not to bristle, but it just doesn’t feel right.

“I’ll be right back, I’m going to run to the restroom.” I’ve felt off kilter since practically tripping over Aidan outside my building this morning.

What are we doing?

Aidan is at the bar, deep in conversation with someone but Jimmy’s at a booth near the back of the pub. I move to slide into the seat across from him, but he pats the seat next to him. “Sit here. If he’s gonna be a daft fool, we can work on making him realize it. Come ’ere.”

I perch on the edge of my seat and reach for a menu. “What do you mean?”

“I saw him. Dropped your hand and took a step away. Fuckin’ stupid arse…” I miss what he mumbles after that as the pub erupts in cheers at a game up on the screens around the bar. Jimmy snaps his focus to the game and launches into a tirade on Gaelic football and the team that just scored. “…it’s like rugby but fewer rules, yeah? The players are tougher, harder—thicker skulls.” I nod along, not really paying attention, my mind picking the day apart. “…played back in Dublin.”

“Wait. What?” I drag my gaze from the screen to Aidan. This is not where my focus is. I can’t see Aidan in the short shorts, no protective gear, with ruddy cheeks and sweaty hair fighting for an oversized football. “But he’s a photographer. They would crush him.” As fit as he is, Aidan is small compared to the guys in this game.

“Concerned for him?” Jimmy smirks. “He played for his school—he was the big one on the field then, yeah.” He leans in sliding a pint glass toward me.

I push him back and taste what he ordered me. “What is this?”

“That, love, is a snakebite. Treat it with respect, or we’ll be carrying you to the train.” He laughs at me while checking to see where Aidan is. He’s no longer at the bar, they’ve moved to a small table by the door. He looks pissed, really angry about something.

Jimmy tries to pull my attention away from what’s becoming a pretty heated discussion. He signals to the waitress and turns to me. “Are we celebrating tonight?”

“Celebrating what?” The waitress sets a couple shots on the table and waits while Jimmy orders some appetizers. I down the shot of Jameson and look back toward Aidan “What is he so upset about? Do you know?”

“Erm, you’ll have to take that up with your man.” Jimmy signals for another round of shots and puts his arm around me pulling me closer. The waitress unloads plates piled full of nachos and potato skins. Our table is ridiculously full with all the food, fresh pints, and more shots. Aidan looks over and his expression goes from curious to pissed when he takes in the drinks and empty shot glasses in front of us. Or maybe it’s how close Jimmy’s leaning in to me.

“Jimmy.” Our faces are closer than I realized. “What are you doing?”

He reaches across me, enveloping me in his grasp as he grabs the ketchup. “I told you. We’re going to show him what he’s fuckin’ with.” He sits back and looks straight at Aidan with an eyebrow about lodged in his hairline. Challenging him.

I feel even more off balance than I did when we walked in here. The shots, the things coming out of Jimmy’s mouth and the steely glare Aidan’s throwing this way. I grab the two shots that were just deposited at our table and down them one after the other, immediately realizing my mistake.

The alcohol burns its way through my veins, making my head swim and my cheeks heat up. When Aidan finally tears his attention away from me, I feel like I can breathe again. I excuse myself to the restroom, needing some space to think.

I lock the door behind me and fall back against it. What am I doing? The back and forth in my head is driving me insane. No matter how hard I try, no matter how busy I make myself with school and work, I end up thinking about him constantly. I crave him. His wit, the way he cares for me—his touch.

---