Page 40 of The Billionaire's Kiss
“Both.” I took a big bite of the eggs that I’d mixed with the spinach.
One of the waitstaff came by with a coffee pot and filled the cups that had been waiting on the table. “Moring, bosses.” She pulled some creamers and sugar packets out of her apron pocket. “Here you go. Enjoy.”
Gulping down the food, I smiled. “Thanks, Joy.”
“You’re welcome.” She left us to tend to other guests.
“You know something, Warner,” Patton said, “you’ve always been so friendly with people. It’s always perplexed me how you find it easy to speak to people so easily—you’ve got this emotional intelligence that’s out of the roof—and yet, you’ve never managed to have even a semi-decent relationship with a member of the opposite sex. Until now, it seems. And this isn’t even something that can last.”
I wasn’t trying to psychoanalyze myself. “You know, I’m not going to worry about it right now.”
“Because you’re having fun with this Irish lass?”
“Yes.” I picked up a piece of bacon, devouring it.
I wasn’t going to waste my time with Orla trying to become my own therapist. It merely wasn’t important to me at the moment.
What really mattered to me was that I now knew that I could be this guy—the guy who adores his girl and plans his day around her. A guy who isn’t afraid that love can’t last or that it can be stolen from him so quickly that it boggles the mind. For now, I was the trusting type with no worries.
“There you are,” came a lilting voice from behind me. Her hands moved over my shoulders, and then I felt warm lips pressed against my cheek. “I woke up, and you were gone. I’m famished and had to get up to get something to eat.”
Patton’s eyes lit up as he looked at the woman who stood behind me. “Ah, you must be my brother’s Irish lass.”
“Orla Quinn.” She extended her hand, and he shook it. “And which brother are you?”
“I’m the second oldest, Patton. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Orla. I’ve got to tell you that you’ve made a remarkable difference in my brother.”
“A good one, I hope.” She slipped into the chair next to mine and the waitress filled the empty cup in front of her with steaming hot coffee. Orla looked at her with a smile. “Morning, Joy. Thank you so much.”
“I think it’s a good one,” Patton agreed.
