Page 50 of One Chance to Stay
“I prefer it.”
“Bullshit.” My eyes widened. I didn’t mean to call him out, but bartender magic wouldn’t let me hold back. Seamus could claim he preferred solitude, but that first night in his room said otherwise. His touch hadn’t been eager and rushed. Every brush of his fingertips held a yearning, and I wouldn’t let him lie.
“Sorry, that was a bit much.” I could have withdrawn and let Seamus off the hook, but if we were going to be friends, I wouldn’t let the little lies slide. “If we’re going to keep this fun banter going, no lies.”
“Yes.”
“Did you get to see Grace grow up?”
He gave a slight shrug. The ice skaters had dispersed, and the cocoa shack would close soon. I went for broke and rested a hand on his back, guiding him toward the rink. When he didn’t move, I gave him a slight shove—I mean,encouragement.
We walked in silence for a bit before he cleared his throat. “I saw her on the weekends.”
“That’s not too bad. Still got to see her grow up.”
“Spoken like a man without kids,” he said. “Five days is a lifetime for a kid and her dad.”
“Do you still talk to her mom?”
“Not really. Haven’t spoken since the wedding.”
“Grace is married?”
“Yup.”
“You’re a father-in-law?” I tried to imagine Seamus walking Grace down the aisle or giving her away. If I were that man, I’d have been terrified. Did Seamus have the rifle sitting in the truck, waiting in case things didn’t go according to plan?
“Did you get dressed up?”
“Of course.” He poked at me with an elbow. “I’m not a neanderthal.”
“Seamus, did you just crack a joke? Should I get my phone out and snap a photo to record this moment? Maybe put it on my calendar? Smilingandjoking? Lord help us.”
“I already regret it.”
“You never wanted to remarry?”
Seamus didn’t answer. I wanted to fill the silence between us, but I held my tongue. I didn’t care about the answer so much as wanting him to open up about his life. Somewhere deep down, I think he wanted to connect with another person. Whatever stopped him, that’s what I wanted to get at.
“I’m good as I am.”
The statement could have been a boot to the gut. I contemplated my sexuality, all because of this man. Yet, he dropped a barrier between us. I opted for grace. I didn’t believe a word of it.
“Hopefully notjustas you are.” He didn’t reply. I steered the conversation back to friendly water. “So, Walter and you bonded over your kids. What then?”
“Does there need to be more?” Yes, Seamus, there did. I refused to believe he detached that completely from society. “He’d come over in the summers and help me plant crops.”
I stopped walking, my arm shooting out. “Is Waltertheguy?”
The disapproving glance from Seamus put that theory to rest. Though the more I thought about it, Walter already had Harvey. Another man would make it a confusing love triangle. Firefly wouldn’t be able to handle the over-the-top grand gestures as they fought for Walter’s heart.
We had reached the shack. I kicked at snow like a school child, unsure how to end the date. I didn’t want to go, even if my shoe had turned into a block of ice. Would it be awkward to invite him back to Valhalla for a cup of tea? In my room.
“I had fun.” Not my best line. When I finally looked at him, I wanted to believe he debated the same thing. I could run my mouth all day and throw out words of wisdom without prompting. Yet, saying I didn’t want the night to end remained trapped in the back of my throat.
“I should go.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow night?”
