Page 66 of Changing Tides
Marianne’s hand on their face brought them back to the present. She ran a thumb over their cheekbone as she turned their head back toward her. “Hey. It’s just a visit. I came to tell you immediately so I could ask you to come along.”
“To Dublin?” Why would Marianne want Joey along for the ride as she started to rebuild her life?
“Yes.” Marianne’s gaze never left their face. “Remember that haircut I promised you? And I thought we could go visit some of my restauranteur friends and tout for business for you.”
They couldn’t see a way out of it, but the thought of observing Marianne as she reintegrated into her old life made their chest ache. “I don’t know. Dublin would be a long way to deliver.”
Marianne frowned. “You could do a trip once a week. And you’ll be able to charge higher prices to make it worth your while. Come on, Joey. If you’re serious about not selling to a wholesaler, you need to find a stopgap for a couple of years while your oyster beds develop. I want to help.”
Joey put a hand over Marianne’s on their shoulder and squeezed. “Thank you for thinking of me. When do you leave?”
“Monday morning, and I need to be back for evening service Thursday.” When her expression had brightened, Joey knew they would do anything she asked.
“If you can wait until I’ve done the island deliveries and we go via the city on the way, I can drive you there. Donal and Liam can hold the fort here.”
“Ooh, wonderful. A road trip. Denny will be so happy you’re coming with us.”
It seemed to Joey an odd thing to say when the whole point of the trip was to reunite Denny with his real family.
“I’ve got a fisher friend in Howth I can ask to stay with. We can talk equipment.”
Marianne’s forehead creased. “Only if you want to stay with them. My mother’s mansion…” she rolled her eyes, “has many rooms.”
Joey took Marianne’s hand and led her back toward the cottage, wondering how she would introduce them to her judgmental mother.
“Well? Will you stay with me?” Marianne pulled back, forcing them to stop on the deck. “I don’t know what the future holds,Joey, but for now I want to spend as much time with you as I can.”
They nodded resignedly, knowing they’d never say no to the chance to be with Marianne. “I’d love to.”
Marianne pulled them in close and their lips met. Joey wrapped their fingers in her short hair and kissed her hard, never wanting to stop.
“Hey, Joey, what are you two up to?”
When Marianne pulled back with a start, Joey turned to fix their most murderous glare on their younger brother, Liam. He grinned back evilly.
“Mari, meet Liam. He’s the youngest, so he’s a spoiled brat.”
Liam’s smile turned to charm as he held out a hand to Marianne. “Verypleased to meet you.” They shook hands. “This old sea dog is clearly way out of their depths. If you want to move on to a more sophisticated sibling, everyone would understand.”
Marianne’s eyebrows shot up. As an only child, she most likely wasn’t used to this level of sibling banter. Before Joey could apologize, Marianne had tucked her arm around their waist and moved in close.
“I’m very happy with the O’Hara I’ve got, thank you. I doubt you could keep up.” Her own smile was equally mischievous. “And you’re really not my type.”
Joey chuckled. They shouldn’t have underestimated Marianne. She would never have survived life in the kitchen without being able to give as good as she got.
Liam laughed loudly and turned back to the cottage. “I came to tell you Dad’s ready to go for dinner.”
Joey sighed. They didn’t particularly want to drag everyone to the Waterside but there wasn’t the space in either house to cook for four, and their dad hated to eat outdoors. He said it was uncivilized.
“Shit. Shit. Shit.” Marianne looked at her watch. “I should’ve known I wouldn’t be able to get back in time.”
“It’s okay, I’ll take you. It might be a squeeze, though.”
They headed for their bedroom. “Liam, make yourself useful and get Dad in the truck.”
Marianne studied them from the doorway as they pulled off their old, ripped T-shirt and reached for a worn, but folded, denim shirt. Her pose was relaxed as her gaze raked over Joey’s body, but her foot tapped restlessly.
“You’re the boss. They should be able to manage without you.”
