Page 87 of Since We're Here
Oh, shite.
I’m in love with this woman.
“Maddie.”
She smiles. “Yes. You okay?”
And I am. My heart is slowing, the adrenaline easing off, leaving me weak.
“I’m okay now that I know you are.” My voice works again, thank feck. “And my apology yesterday was shite. I should’ve done it in person.”
“Saoirse told me you had the girls.”
“I did. But this morning... I wish I’d called you to come over. Maybe you wouldn’t have...” I glance at her bandaged hand.
“I feel like this sheep thing is something I’m going to get made fun of for.”
“Eventually. It’s too soon.” My mouth quirks.
“I have a vague memory of one of them, like, nibbling on my hair. I think they felt bad and wandered over to make sure I was okay. I couldn’t just barrel into them! So I swerved. Into a rock. Bad luck, really, as there was soft green grass all around it.”
I stare at her face, her chocolate brown eyes, her gorgeous, plump lips. “I’m so very sorry I was an arse last week. Nothing that happened was your fault. It was my fault. All mine. I’ve been distracted lately, and so busy. Things keep slipping through the cracks.”
“Because of me. Distracting you.” She states it as fact.
I take a minute, but nod.
“You’d be better off if I weren’t here.”
“No. I’d be much worse off without you.”
I love this woman. I tug a strand of her long hair and lean forward to kiss her gently, my hand still on her warm skin, ensuring her heart still beats.
“You’re coming home with me. You can stay at my cottage.”
“You’re gonna take care of me?”
“Aye. Maddie.”
“In your house?”
I nod, and I’m sure she understands what a big deal this is.
“You called me Maddie, so that means you’re going to kiss me again.”
And I do, sliding the hand I have on her chest around to the back of her neck, leaning forward and pressing my lips to hers. With that kiss, I open my whole heart to Maddie Hart.
I feel so much worse than I ever have before.
When I pull back, she’s staring at me with a look I can’t read. I’d give anything to know what she’s thinking.
Anything except ask her.
Because the thing is, I can’t tell her I love her. I don’t think I could handle it if she doesn’t feel the same way. Or, if she does, what the hell would we do about it? It’s not worth the risk.
She’s going back to New Jersey to start her new life. I’m staying here in Dingle.
There’s no hope for us.
