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“It’s not fair, but whatever,” Gibsie muttered as he paid the man and handed Claire the tickets, stepping aside for me to pay and collect Shannon’s and my tickets. “Doesn’t ever matter what I want.”

“You’re the best.” Pressing a kiss to his cheek, she stepped back, waving the tickets in the air. “I’ll share my popcorn with you.”

“Hmm,” he grunted, with his nose cocked in the air. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

“Oh, come on, you big cranky baby,” she coaxed, grabbing his hand. “You’re hungry and you know it. Let’s beat the food queue.”

Gibsie relented with a huff and let Claire drag him off in the direction of the concession stands. “Fine, but you get the Maltesers and I’ll get the Minstrels—that way we have it covered.”

“Obviously,” she snorted.

“Do you want something to eat?” I asked, turning to look at Shannon.

She shrugged and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” I arched a brow. “Are you hungry?”

“Are you getting something?” She answered my question with one of her own.

“I might.” I watched her carefully. “Only if you get something.”

She blew out a small breath, cheeks reddening. “If you’re sure?”

“Is this about money?” I came right out and asked her. “Because I already told you I’m paying.”

Looking embarrassed, she glanced down at her feet and then back up at me. “I’ll eat some of your popcorn if you’re getting some.”

Knowing that was all I would get out of her, I nodded and led her to the food court and ordered a large tub of popcorn, a large Coke, and a bottle of water. “Thank you,” she whispered as we trailed through the complex after Gibsie and Claire. “I really appreciate it—”

“If you thank me for buying you a bleeding Coke, I’m going to throw a tantrum worse than Gibs.” Handing her the Coke, I pulled the door of Screen One open and gestured for her to go ahead of me. “I mean it, Shan.”

“Like the one in the kitchen earlier?” She snickered, hurrying inside. “With your parents?”

“Ugh.” I shuddered and followed after her. “Don’t remind me.”

“It’s okay,” she teased. “When the lights go out, I’ll make you feel better.”

“Do you promise?” I muttered under my breath.

“I promise,” she whispered, squeezing my ass.

Jesus…

52

His Daughter

Shannon

We were leaving the cinema in Mahon Point later that night when it happened—when I sawhim. Johnny, Gibsie, and Claire were walking alongside me, deep in conversation about the movie we’d just watched, but I couldn’t hear a word they were saying over the sound of my pulse hammering violently. My feet faltered, my body stiffened to the point that I couldn’t move another step. Blinking rapidly, I tried to rid my mind of the image, pretend I had imagined it, but when I looked again, it was still there.Hewas still there. Sitting in a car, three spots up from Johnny’s Audi.With a woman.

“Shan?” I felt Johnny squeeze my hand. “You okay?”

I couldn’t answer him. My lips weren’t working. Releasing Johnny’s hand, I began to back away, moving like a ghost, praying that he hadn’t seen me.

“Shannon?” Johnny called out, tone laced with concern. “Baby?” He was right in front of me now, hands on my cheeks, blue eyes locked on mine. “What’s wrong?”

Shaking my head, I opened my mouth to answer him, but all that came out was a puff of air.

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