Page 105 of Myla: The Hawthornes

“Wouldn’t kiss you after that,” I clarified.

The rest of the day flew by, even after Tommy strode through the garage and slapped the back of my head without saying a word. No one was surprised that Myla and I were seeing each other, they’d been more surprised when we told them we were just friends.

Probably because Myla and I had never been just friends, even when we’d pretended we were.

I stopped by the property on my way home and ended up staying for an hour while Aoife made dinner.

“Everything okay?” she asked while I sat at the counter.

“Yeah, why d’you ask?”

“You flew out of here like your ass was on fire last night,” she said, looking at me over her shoulder.

“Myla was lookin’ for me.”

“And you went running,” she said with a huff of laughter.

“I said goodbye.”

“Barely,” she joked.

“We’re together now,” I told her quietly.

“That’s good,” she replied with a strained smile before turning back to the stove. “You’re happy?”

“Guess so.”

“That’s not a ringing endorsement.”

“I’m happy with Myla, yeah.” I watched as she moved around the kitchen, sharp and efficient. “She’s…perfect.”

“Don’t put her on a pedestal, bud,” Aoife warned. “She’ll fall, and it’ll fuck you both.”

“Believe me, I’m not,” I replied dryly. “I’ve seen her at her worst. Still love her.”

“You love her?” she asked softly, turning fully to look at me.

“Yeah.” I met Aoife’s eyes. “You like her, right?”

“She’s awesome,” Aoife confirmed. “And she doesn’t take your shit, but she still looks at you like you’ll cure cancer while flying to the moon on your big white horse.”

I laughed at her description.

“You should have her over for family dinner,” Aoife declared. “How about tomorrow?”

“You already know her.”

“I don’t know her as yourgirlfriend.”

“Gettin’ kind of old to have a girlfriend, don’t you think?”

“Okay, yourwoman,” Aoife replied, grunting the last word.

“Fine. I’ll see if she’s free tomorrow.”

“Good.” She turned back to the stove. “You’ve never brought a woman home, you know.”

“Never had one worth bringin’ home,” I muttered.

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