Page 130 of Twist of Fate
Me
Change of plans. Meet you at home, instead?
Ash will always come first, and it is to prove that.
Starting now.
* * *
Aisling
He isn’t coming.
He knows how important tonight is.
I shouldn’t be this upset, but I am.
“This place is incredible,” I say, turning in a complete circle as I admire the stunning view in an effort to distract myself. I’m surrounded by nothing but glass windows and glowing lights. The bustling city of Dublin ambles on below me.
Waaaybelow me.
It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of heights.
“Didn’t you visit here on your tour? You know, the one with Finn?” Shea asks, already helping herself a pint of Guinness.
Can’t really blame the girl. We are at the Guinness Storehouse, which is just a fancy way (in my opinion) of saying we’re at a brewery. Granted, it’s the most famous brewery, but still. Being here is a little bittersweet because it reminds me of all the times I sat in pubs with my mom, watching her down a pint of the black stuff. She would have loved this.
I shake my head. “No, we didn’t. And yes, I know the one,” I answer, rolling my eyes. You’d think my friends would grow tired of relentlessly teasing me about dating or, as they like to call it, “riding” the boss, but they haven’t yet.
Not in the least.
“What did you do?” she asks, and I gasp as I watch her gulp down nearly half her beer. She wipes a delicate hand across her face and somehow avoids smudging her dark red lipstick. She’s in full goth mode tonight. Tall, chunky black boots. Fishnet stockings. Her dress is short and reminds me of a Halloween costume I once wore when I tried to dress up as a witch. On her, though, it works, and she somehow comes off just looking sexy and fierce.
Meanwhile, I’m standing here in plain-Jane denim and a cashmere sweater.
“Whoa there, tiger. Take it easy,” I say to her.
“I’m nervous,” she whispers. Her eyes dart around, scanning to see if anyone heard, but it’s still early, and those who are here are still waiting in line for beer.
I still don’t know how we managed to pull off this excursion: a private Guinness tour at night. I think the only reason they agreed to it is that it’s for one of our themed tours (the boozy one) and will only run twice a year. That, or someone mentioned my boyfriend’s name, and they just rolled over and gave us whatever we wanted.
That’s happened on an occasion or two.
“I know you’re nervous, but trust me”—I snatch the beer from her hand and place it on the high-top table beside us—“getting drunk will not help.”
She gives me a lopsided grin. “It would make for a memorable night, though. Now—quit stalling. I need a distraction. Why have we been friends this long, and I haven’t heard this story? I want to know how you two met.”
“Ooh, me too!”
I nearly jump. “Where the hell did you come from?”
“My ma always said I came from Heaven,” Niall interjects, making us both laugh.
“Your ma did not say that.”
“Okay, no. She didn’t. It was usually the opposite. I was a bit of a shite. Earned it, though. What are we talking about? Oh, is this the Ash and Finn origin story?”
I roll my eyes. “You guys are ridiculous. It was the Heritage Tour. There, now you know everywhere we went. Happy?”
