Page 43 of Since We're Here
I groan. An unwelcome—sort of—flash of kissing Maddie at O’Brien’s goes through my mind.
“She’s not random, but not someone I’m going to date.” I don’t even know her plans. She rented the flat for a month, but is she intending on going back home after that? Then coming back for the road trip, then the wedding in Scotland? Not that I care about her plans. Not one bit.
“Hmm.” Mam opens the refrigerator. “Can I heat up some stew for you?”
“No, thank you.” I need to make sure my mam has no expectations for Maddie. “We’re just friends. And hardly that, even.” I grab the kettle from the stove and fill it with water. “I’m watching out for her. Oliver would kill me if something happened to Reese’s little sister.”
“Okay.” She clearly does not accept my assurances of a platonic relationship and turns back to the remaining dishes in the sink.
“Hello!” Saoirse’s voice rings out from the front door, and my nieces chatter as they walk in. My sister pops into the kitchen, dark hair in a low ponytail.
I spin to her with crossed arms. “What have you been telling Mam about the American?”
“The American, huh?” She snickers, eyes shining. “I was filling her in on our lovely new friend.”
I moan.
“Who I just saw going into O’Brien’s,” Saoirse adds.
“I’m surprised she keeps showing up.” The kettle clicks off and I fill a mug with steaming water for my father, dropping in a fresh teabag. My parents like to reuse their teabags, which is disgusting, so when I’m around, I don’t allow it.
Even though they claim they don’t need it, Saoirse and I both help out as much as they’ll put up with. I do small grocery runs for them, which Mam begrudgingly accepts. Saoirse cooks once a week, and we take turns with doctors’ appointments.
“Maddie seems quite natural at running that place.”
“She’s opening the pub and working for a few hours. It’s hardly rocket science.”
“Whatever, Pat. She’s a delight, and you know it.”
“I knew there was something going on.” Mam finishes washing a dish and adds it to the stack in the drying rack.
“Stop ganging up on me,” I groan. “Why is everyone making a big deal out of Madison being here?”
“Madison?” Saoirse leans against the counter, watching me dip the tea bag in and out of the steaming mug. “Interesting that you can’t just call her Maddie.”
“Feck me.” I sigh. “Mind your own business, woman.”
“Language!” Saoirse calls out as I head back to my father, who is now surrounded by Erin and Niamh.
Saoirse seems to have it as her goal to get me to date someone. She’s always introducing me to her single mom friends or women she works with at the hotel. I think that’s one of the reasons why she pushed Beth my way.
Just because my sister’s happy with Ian after her divorce, that doesn’t mean I need to pair off as well.
“I like that you’re spending time with a woman.” Mam follows me to the family room, Saoirse right behind her.
“She’s not a woman, she’s just . . .”
Everyone looks up at me as I struggle to finish the sentence.
“She’s just a tourist, really. Here for anadventure.”
Saoirse’s eyes widen. She knows all about what Cara said to me years ago.
“She said that?” my little sister asks.
“Her words.” Were they exactly that? I forget. But the word adventure was definitely included.
Dad sips his tea and goes back to admiring the drawing Niamh handed him.
