Page 6 of Highballs & Hexes

Fi didn’t know which of them was more surprised, Noah or herself. Even the piss-faced patrons of Noah’s pub appeared stunned. The energy in the room turned dangerous on a dime,and the fine hairs rose over her entire body, similar to the disappearing-village incident earlier.

Placing a calming hand on Patrick’s arm, Fi gave a little rub. “He didn’t mean anything by it. It’s Noah’s way to be a bear.”

Black brows clashed over eyes filled with consternation as her ex watched the two of them. The subtle shift of Noah’s body indicated he was preparing for action should the need arise. Although not the most powerful warlock of her acquaintance, he possessed enough magic to defend himself and those present. He also wasn’t opposed to underhanded means to subdue an out-of-control customer.

“Well, Noah the Bear needs to check his bleedin’ attitude,” Patrick growled. “That’s not the way to talk to an employee.”

Fi dropped her hand. She’d begun to feel particularly kindly toward him during his posturing, but her goodwill flew out the window the second he’d said “employee.” Why the hell was she mentally drawing hearts around their initials when the man was simply viewing her as a pub worker, and not a woman to be protected? All because he’d asked if she was married?

And it wasn’t as if sheneededto be protected. She could damned well take care of herself! But that didn’t mean she didn’t appreciate a male going to the mat for her if he believed she’d been wronged.

“Sure, and you’re right,” Noah said as he slid a Guinness to a patron on his right. “And how would you be knowing how a boss talks to anyone? What’s it you do?” Noah asked conversationally, walking around the end of the bar toward Fi’s father. He didn’t wait for an answer as he hoisted the burly James Bohannon to his feet with a grunt and scowl. “Have ya been packing on the pounds there, Jimmy?”

Da rubbed his belly and grinned. “Me Clara loves to cook, she does.”

“And you don’t miss a meal,” Fi muttered as she positioned herself under one of her father’s arms to help Noah. A smile curled his full lips, and she saw a flash of sparkling white teeth before he remembered they weren’t friends anymore.

“I’ll ring Katie for tonight, Fi,” he said in a low voice. “Take care of your da and get that other fecker out of here. You know better than to bring your lovers in my pub. Especially one looking for trouble.”

“He’s not… We’re not… No! I…” In her agitation, she released her father.

Noah’s dark eyes narrowed. “You’re not what?”

“Together,” she replied in an equally low voice with a quick glance at Patrick, who happened to be watching them like a Peregrine Falcon summing up a rabbit for its next meal. Slipping her father’s arm over her shoulder, she grimaced. “He’s here to help me find Tadhg. And you don’t give a shite about me or my lovers, all the same. So don’t be pretending you do.”

Noah stopped short, and she almost lost her grip on Da.

“Why would you be saying it like that?” His deep voice held incredulity, and his expression was dumbfounded, like she’d smacked him with a wooden plank. “Of course I give a shite!”

“You ended it, Noah. Not me. I?—”

“Oh, for the love of Pete!” Patrick edged her out of the way and put his shoulder under Da’s belly, hauling him up. The fact he was able to lift someone of her father’s stature and size without staggering was impressive as hell. “I’ve things to do and don’t plan to sit around all day listening to lovers’ quarrel, to be sure.”

“We aren’t lovers!” Fi protested.

“We were,” countered Noah, amusement heavy in his voice.

She spun to glare at Noah, and he backed up a step with his large, capable hands in the air. But the smirk on his stupid face was begging to be smacked off.

“Shut yer gob, Noah Riley!”

Patrick turned his back, but not before she saw him grin.

What was wrong with her that she found either of these two eejits attractive? For the second time in less than thirty minutes, she pressed the back of her wrist to her forehead to check for a fever. Maybe her brains were slowly being eaten away by a deadly amoeba.

“You all right there, Fi?” Noah stepped forward and settled his palm against the skin of her forehead as she dropped her arm. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m grand,” she snapped, shoving him away in the process. “Just feckin’ grand.”

Again, his grin flashed. “Aye, ya are.”

With a snarl, she turned to leave, but not before he clasped her elbow.

“So what is this about your brother?”

Had he not exhibited concern, she’d have stomped off, but his genuine caring for Tadhg halted her exit.

“He went missing. Sure, and he’s been a touch off since the island, since, well, you know. But he always tells us when he needs to escape for a bit.”

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