Page 40 of Once upon a Summer Night

They lapsed into companionable silence, the only sound coming from the music Colin had put on during dinner.

“I’m knackered. I think I’ll head up to bed.” Ellie gave him a small smile. “Do you plan to be in the office all week?”

He did, but the look of hope she so desperately tried—and failed—to hide had him saying, “I don’t. Some days, yes. But not all of them.”

“Excellent! I’d love to really see Boston the way your mother spoke of it tonight. I enjoyed wandering today, but I think I missed a lot.”

“Definitely. And, good news, we should be good to headback in a couple of days. The paparazzi have backed off a little, as they have something a bit bigger to concentrate on.”

“Ah yes. The new royal girlfriend.”

“I truly feel for that family,” Colin replied with feeling. “I can’t imagine having cameras on me every moment of the day. But yes, we should be fine to return and get you started on your dates. But before that, I thought you might like to meet the rest of my family while we’re here.”

“I would like that very much.” She hesitated. “Does your family often meet your clients?”

“No. But my mother adores you, and she’s invited us over. It’s a family tradition that we have breakfast together on the weekend, when possible. And with my older brother in town, she’s determined to have all her children under one roof for at least a meal or twenty.”

Ellie’s face became nervous. “I’m not good around other people, Colin. You know I’m not. I fall all over myself, I spill things, I go silent and—”

He placed a finger over her lips to silence her, and he somehow managed not to flinch at the jolt that traveled up his arm at the contact. “You won’t be judged, Ellie. My mother would like to introduce her new friend to her husband and son. That’s all.”

Her face softened. “That’s a lovely thing to say. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. And while you’re in a thankful mood, I have a favor to ask of you.” Ellie’s eyebrows went up, and he forged ahead. “On Friday night, we’re holding a party for one of Celtic Connections’ clients. He’s flying in from California, and we’re supposed to have ten women at this event for him.”

“Oh, good Lord,” Ellie groaned. “That sounds so…what’s that show where one man kisses all the women and sends someone home without a flower?”

“Yes, I know, it sounds very reality TV-esque,” Colinagreed. “But the client requested it, and the women attending have all agreed. However, we are one woman short.”

Ellie’s eye widened. “Oh, please don’t ask me to fill in…”

He gave her his most charming, hopeful smile.

“Colin, I’m terrible in social situations! And dating a man who wants a plethora of options seems so…desperate!”

“You don’t have to be anything but yourself. Please consider it,” he asked before chuckling. “Look, you’ve reduced me to begging.”

“Oh, dear me. The all-powerful Colin O’Rourke is begging.” She rolled her eyes, but ruined the effect with a giggle.

“I’ll take you around Boston tomorrow,” he bribed. Then he wagged his eyebrows, and she laughed in defeat.

“Oh, go on then. I’ll do it. But only because I’m apparently a people pleaser. And because I want to see this city. But I’ve no interest in dating him.”

He grinned, relieved. “Thanks, Ellie. And who knows? Maybe you’ll like him.”

“Oh, from everything you said about him at dinner, he sounds delightful.”

“He’s a bit high maintenance,” Colin replied mildly. “Perhaps you’ll enjoy his personality?”

“Hmm. Perhaps. I won’t yet add this little escapade to mywhat-the-hell-was-I-thinking-agreeing-to-do-thislist.”

“Is that list full?”

She snorted. “It’s getting there.”

A silence ensued, and he watched her face turn from relaxed to pensive. She glanced at him and chewed her lip.

“What’s on your mind?”

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