Page 82 of Promise Me This

Desire swirls in the blue of her irises, and her lips part softly. “Callum Walsh, you have gotten better with your words.”

“Among other things,” I say, smirking, and then I toss her over my shoulder and head for the bedroom.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Leona

The shrill harmonica intro of “Dirty Old Town” by The Pogues scrapes against my eardrums when I step into the cool, dim light of Callum’s favorite pub. Dermot winks at me from behind the bar as soon as he sees our joined hands dangling between us. He doesn’t act the least bit surprised, no doubt thanks to Siobhan’s propensity for gossip.

Still, it is a new feeling for me. Or a new-old feeling. I remember how it was to be Callum’s before, but I’m a different person and so is he, and we are walking on soil that feels both fresh and hallowed. I let him lead me to where Padraig sits at their usual table, marveling at the sense of ease that flows through me.

“Listen, I’m happy for the two of you’s, don’t get me wrong,” Padraig says, pointing to me and then Callum in turn. “But I refuse to let you become the type of man who brings his girl to lads’ night.”

Callum takes a seat opposite his friend and looks up at me with an eyebrow quirked. I rise to the unspoken challenge.

“What, you don’t think I can hang with the best of them?” Laughing, I reach for Padraig’s stout and take a sip while trying to hide my grimace as the bitter liquid slides down my throat. “Gah! I’ll never understand how you guys drink that stuff.” I wipe my mouth and involuntarily shudder. “And relax, I’m not here to stay.”

He slides his beer back across the table from where I’ve set it down, watching me curiously the entire time. Callum eyes both of us while trying to suppress a smile.

“First, I’ve yet to forget you drinking me under the table that night. So I know you can hang.” He takes a sip of his beer as he rolls his eyes. “Second, what can I help you with? Do you need a ride?”

“Watch it,” Callum warns.

I smile at Callum and his hackles lower. Satisfied, my gaze flits to Padraig. “I just wanted to stop by and say thank you. You know. For everything.”

The corner of Padraig’s mouth twitches. “You mean for leaving your luggage so you’d have a fresh pair of undies to change into after your big make-up session?”

“All right, I’m leaving.” I pivot on my heel but stop myself midturn and bend over to press a kiss against Callum’s cheek. “That’s the last time I try to be nice.”

Callum catches my wrist on the retreat and pulls me back to him, not settling for a peck on the cheek. He pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger and covers my mouth with his, dragging his teeth across my lower lip just enough to drive me mad.

When I draw back, I’m a little unsteady on my feet. Padraig clears his throat, and Callum’s eyes sparkle with mischief. I swear even Dermot chuckles from his place behind the bar.

“Pay him no mind,” Callum says. “He jokes, but he’s secretly very proud of himself that all his meddling paid off.”

“He and your mother both,” I say.

Padraig finishes off his beer and flags Dermot for another. “I don’t know what you two are talking about.”

Callum nods at Dermot to request a beer for himself and shakes his head when Dermot points to me with a brow raised in question.

“Likely story.” I try to smirk at Padraig, but the front falls away and my raw emotions come shining through against my better judgment. They live so close to the surface these days that it’s become difficult to keep them hidden. “I mean it, though, Podge. Thanks for always listening. For picking me up in the rain.”

He smiles and raises his fresh beer to me. Dermot scuttles away with the empty glass. “Anytime. I was just doing my job.”

Callum raises his to clink against Padraig’s. “Best taxi driver in Cahersiveen.”

“Only taxi driver in Cahersiveen!” Dermot calls.

We all laugh, and it feels so good. To be here. To belong.

To not be afraid.

Callum’s watching me over the rim of his glass. He sees where my mind travels. Maybe not the specific destination, but the route certainly. His hand encloses mine, and he brings my knuckles to his lips. “I’ll see you tonight when I come to get Niamh?”

I smile softly down at him, and for a moment we’re alone in this space despite being surrounded. After so long spent thinking this day would never come, I’m nearly tempted to pinch myself to make sure it’s real.

Instead I squeeze his hand. “I’ll see you tonight.”

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