Page 132 of Since We're Here
“Listen, you don’t have to worry—wait, hmm, maybe youshouldworry, but only about me biking.” I look over at Patrick and smile.
Stella laughs and Reese sighs.
Patrick catches my eye and winks, turning to trot in my direction, letting Ethan and Oliver battle it out for the ball.
“Hi.” He leans over and kisses me on the lips. Butterflies take flight in my belly.
“Awwww,” Reese and Stella say in unison.
“Hey.” I smile, and heat rises in my cheeks.
“Oliver and Ethan are going back to the hotel, but I thought maybe you and I could go on a quick errand before we leave for the Ring of Kerry.”
“Yeah, sure.” I furrow my brow. “What errand?”
“You’ll see.”
“See you in a few,” I say to my sisters. Patrick holds out his hand and I take it, letting him entwine our fingers together.
He leads me all the way back past my flat and stops in front of his car, parked a few doors down.
“Where are we going?” I slip into the passenger seat when Patrick holds open the door for me.
“I need to show you something at the cottage.” He slams the door shut and strides around the car to the driver’s side.
“Ohhhhkay. A good something?”
“A good three somethings.” He clicks his seatbelt in place and turns to me. “At least I hope it’s good.”
“So mysterious. Can I have a clue?”
“No. Be patient.”
“Not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’m not the most patient person.”
Patrick snorts and reaches over to put his hand on my thigh. He pulls into traffic with a grin on his face.
A few minutes later, I follow Patrick into his cottage.This will be my home one day.I can’t wait.
“I have three gifts for you.” He stops in the kitchen and nods to his table, where a brand-new bike helmet sits.
I chuckle. “Ha. Thank you. Think it fits?”
“Aye. There’s no way I’m letting you on a bike again without a properly fitted helmet. Not that I could stop you.”
“Exactly.” I pick up the helmet and pull it onto my head. It’s snug and comfortable. “Perfect. Thank you.”
He nods. “Wait right here for gift number two.” Patrick disappears down the hallway and turns into the last bedroom—not his bedroom, not the girls’ room, but the woodworking room.
“Did you make me a bookcase?” I call. “Because that would mean I need to buy a bunch of books. I could do that.”
He emerges holding something smaller, about the length of his forearm. I can’t tell what it is.
“First of all, you can take the helmet off now.” He shakes his head and sighs, but an adoring smile takes over his face.
“Oh yeah.” I pull the helmet off my head and deposit it back on the table. “What do you have there?”
“Well, you’d commented on the one in the flat. I thought we could add this to the wall while you’re living there.”
