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With a fond smile, Sophie sipped her coffee. Things had been so busy she’d forgotten to tell Keefe. Oops. She was just grateful he hadn’t heard it through the O’Brian grapevine first—then he’d be upset. “It only just happened. We’re taking it slow.”
Fast or slow, made no difference to Keefe so long as his sister was happy. “I’m happy for you, Soph.”
On the far side of the counter sat Bobby’s crumpled up letter beside the contract she was expected to sign. After a long gulp of coffee, she marched over, grabbed them, and stuck out her tongue.
“What do you want to do with that?”
“I need a pen.”
Shocked by her reply, Keefe dropped an egg on the floor. “Don’t tell me you’re going to sign it! Have you lost your mind? Soph! You can’t! Have you lost your fucking mind? Think about what you’re doing!”
Her brother’s concern was touching. Granted, she wished he had expressed it at a lower octave, but she understood his distress. “Keep your hair on. I’m not signing it. But I’ll need a pen to write his address on the envelope that I stuff the shredded papers into.” She turned on her heel and made her way to the office down the hallway. There was a paper shredder whose service she required.
“That’s my girl!” Keefe cheered.
Keefe had just finished wiping up the cracked egg on the floor when a knock sounded at the front door. As he expected, Liam was there on the doorstep. “Morning, Keefe. How’s her Royal Highness this morning?” The sound of the paper shredder echoed from the hallway. “What’s that noise?”
“Wait till you see,” Keefe said with a smile. “She’s good. More than good thanks to you. Come on in. Want some breakfast?”
“No, thanks but I’d take some coffee.” Liam followed Keefe inside to the kitchen.
“There. That ought to do it! I—Liam, I didn’t hear you come in,” she said brightly.
“Good morning, your Your Majesty,” Liam said as he bowed.
Sophie shook her head and snickered. “Hilarious.”
“What have you got there?”
“This,” she held up her hands, full of paper scraps, “was that letter and contract. Which I have just made into confetti that I will now place into an envelope and mail back to Bobby.” She stuffed the strips of paper into an envelope and sealed it with two solid pounds of her fist, just to make extra sure it stayed shut. Wouldn’t want that confetti to go falling out before they crossed the ocean. Then she exhaled hard with an exhausted smile.
Liam picked up her cup of coffee and brought it to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Sophie rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Liam smiled and held her tighter. Everything was going to be fine.
“Will you stay for breakfast?”
“I was just stopping by to check in on you but would you like me to stay?”
“Yeah, I would.”
Keefe looked over his shoulder at his sister and Liam and thought to himself how right they were together. “So, Liam, how do you like your eggs?”
“I’m not picky. I’ll have what Sophie’s having.”
“No problem. Two hangover platters coming right up. Listen, I’ll be going after breakfast. The roofers are starting today.”
“Are they? That’s great,” said Sophie. She sat down back at the counter and Liam sat beside her. “I’ll be putting another coat of varnish on the bar today. Two more and it should be all set.”
“How long will that take?”
“I should be done in a week or so.”
Liam couldn’t help but be disappointed that she wouldn’t be coming to his house all the time anymore. He wondered if she would pull away from him again once the bar top was finished.
As if she’d heard his thoughts, Sophie leaned over and nudged him with her shoulder. “Thanks for coming over yesterday.”
