Page 24 of Since We're Here
“Do you even want my help? I’m a medium.”
“Fine. There’s a spot in Dublin where a giant tree is eating a park bench.” I pull a medium black O’Brien’s shirt from the stack, replaying her interesting merchandising idea. I turn back around.
Feck. Me.
Maddie’s in the process of peeling off her wet top, and I watch with my jaw dropped as she lifts it over her head and tosses it on the bar, left only in a black sports bra.
The sports bra has a deep neckline that clearly shows the tops of her breasts, and I swallow as my eyes travel down to trace the smooth curve of her waist. An unexpected wave of desire washes over me.
Unexpected and seriously inappropriate.
She blinks at me. “. . . eating a bench?”
“Very slowly.” I swallow and hope she doesn’t notice. “Over time. But yes. It’s consumed half of it.”
“Well. That’s perfect. I’ll put it on the itinerary.”
Maddie tilts her head and reaches for the O’Brien’s shirt, a slight blush crossing her cheeks.
“I’ll skip that day of the road trip.”
“No skipping allowed.” She pulls the shirt over her head and lets it settle on her torso.
“Let me give you a quick tutorial on the iPads.” I beg my eyes to stay on her face. Her bare skin caught me off guard. That’s all.
“See how easy it is to help me with the road trip? Maybe we can do it again sometime, as it’s why I’m actually here.”
Thank feck she’s covered up now. Maybe I can think straight.
“That’s funny, because I get the distinct impression you’re hiding from something. Or someone. Like your sisters.”
She shrugs. “Are you going to help me plan the road trip or not?”
“Yeah, fine, I’ll send you a Tripadvisor link.”
“Patrick!”
I almost grin and vaguely note that I enjoy hearing my name on her lips.
I can hire her. Just temporarily. There’s no risk. I need the help, and she’s here, and she’s offering. And now that I know who she is, I can keep this completely professional and platonic.
As long as she keeps her clothes on and her hands off me. Whichshouldn’tbe a problem... except she just violated both those rules in the past five minutes.
One thing’s for sure: no more kissing in dark corners.
7
MADDIE
Wednesday, March 5
Ipush open the door to the pub with a big smile on my face.
Working at O’Brien’s for a few hours yesterday afternoon wasn’t just to help Patrick. I’ve been thinking about something since I hopped a plane to Dublin.
I really like working in restaurants.
I’ve missed it since I quit the Italian place last summer to volunteer in Saint Lucia before starting the hospitality program. Working in restaurants keeps me moving, serving, talking to people, doing all the things that are good for my extroverted soul.
