Page 99 of Since We're Here
Noreen grins, brown curls falling out of her messy bun and against her neck.
“Does this have anything to do with a tall, dark, handsome bartender?”
A blush heats my cheeks. It makes sense everyone in town knows there’s something going on between me and Patrick. We haven’t tried to hide it.
“Maybe.”
“He seems so happy these days.”
I bite my lip, suppressing my schoolgirl smile. “We’re just hanging out. I haven’t even told him I’m staying longer, so don’t say anything yet.”
“Of course. Whatever it is between you two, it’s doing him good. Patrick’s had a tough go of it. He hasn’t dated anyone for years.”
My curiosity is piqued. I know he got back to Dingle five years ago, but when was the last time he was with someonebesides a passing tourist? If ever? I told him about my exes—at least that the ten of them exist—but he hadn’t offered any information in return. I already know about Cara, and I guess she’s the most important one. The only one, maybe.
“You’ve lived here the whole time?” I shouldn’t ask her about Patrick’s past. I know that. If I have questions, I should ask him, not someone else.
But didn’t she bring it up?
“My whole life.” Noreen smiles at me. “I could never leave Dingle.”
“You said it’s been years, but has Patrick datedanyonesince he’s been back?”
Ah, fuck, I can’t help myself.
She blinks at me and her smile fades.
“He . . . didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”Uh-oh.
Noreen makes a low humming sound. “I don’t think I should be the one.” She glances over her shoulder at the door and subtly slides off the barstool.
Now I’m starting to freak out. What’s she talking about that’s making her so uncomfortable?
“Noreen.” I have to know. I can’t let her leave without finding out. “Tell me.”
So many potential situations fly through my mind. Did he knock someone up? Is he divorced?
“Well... ” Noreen sighs deeply, surely regretting stopping by the pub. “A year after Patrick got back into town... he and I dated.”
“What?” That is the last thing I expected her to say. And what the fuck? Patrick dated Noreen? His estate agent? And didn’t tell me?
“I’m sorry if that’s awkward. I just thought he’d have mentioned it.”
“No, he didn’t. But it’s not awkward, it’s totally fine, of course. It’s not like he and I aretogethertogether, you know?” A high-pitched squeak escapes my mouth. “We’re just... hanging out. So not awkward at all. Not even a little bit.”
Of course it is. So much so.
I’ve been interacting with Noreen this whole time and he didn’t think to let me know that she’s his ex? It’s close enough to a lie that it stings.
A tiny little betrayal.
I search for something else to say, and Noreen studies me with wide eyes.
“We weren’t very serious. It only lasted about six months.” Noreen rubs her hands together, like she’s cold or nervous, and darts another look at the exit.
Sixmonths?That’s longer than my longest relationship. I nod my head, unsure of what the appropriate response is here.
