Page 30 of Twist of Fate
I can’t help but let out a sigh of relief, knowing she isn’t out with that guy tonight. Not that I’m jealous—just concerned, as her tour guide, obviously.
“Hi, Finn,” the hostess says, greeting me by name. Jesus, does everyone in this hotel know my name?
“Hey…” I look down at her name tag. “Clare.”
She smiles brightly. “Table for one, or are you meeting someone?”
I hesitate, my gaze darting back to Aisling. I can escape now before either sees me or?—
“Finn!” Deidre calls out. Bollocks. “Finn!” She’s waving now, beckoning me toward the table. Aisling’s eyes are wide with panic, and I have to stifle the grin that threatens to break free at the sight of her irritation. “Join us!” she calls out.
It’s a terrible idea. I’m quite sure Aisling hates me by now, and while being around her isn’t unpleasant (quite the opposite, actually), it tends to make me do irrational and impulsive things. I have never been so rude to a guest as I was today when I practically shouted at her and the guys to return to the bus.
In any other circumstance, I would happily join a few guests from my tour for dinner. It’s a great way to get to know them, answer questions, and share my love for my country. It would be rude of me to deny Deidre’s request simply because of some friction between her daughter and me.
“Sure, I’d be delighted,” I reply, turning back to Clare. “I guess I’ll be joining the ladies by the window.”
“Lovely.” She nods. “Let me get you a menu, and I’ll take you right over.”
With each step closer to the table, I can practically feel the tension in the room intensifying. If looks could kill, I’m pretty sure Aisling Farrell could annihilate me in two seconds flat with that death glare of hers.
This time, I don’t bother hiding my grin. Annoying her is too easy.
“Deirdre,” I greet her mam. “You sure I’m not interrupting?” I don’t bother asking Aisling; I already know how she’ll respond.
“No, no.” She smiles, gesturing toward the seat next to Aisling. I take it without hesitation, relishing the sound of her sharp inhale as my arm brushes against hers. “We’re more than happy to have you. Aren’t we, Ash?”
I turn to her, brows raised.
She glances at me over her menu. “Thrilled,” she deadpans.
I press my lips together, stifling a laugh, as an amused expression spreads across Deidre’s face. Oh, she’s taking way too much pleasure in her daughter’s discomfort.
That makes two of us.
“So, dinner at the hotel this evening?” I ask, putting my menu down. I don’t bother looking at it. I’ve eaten here enough to know what I want. “Didn’t feel like going into town?”
“No,” Deidre answers once again, also setting her menu down. “I was feeling a bit tired after our day out, and Mother Hen here decided to make a fuss about it.”
Aisling lets out a breath. “I did not make a fuss. You were tired. I merely suggested we take it easy.”
“And I merely suggested that I was capable of taking care of myself. You didn’t have to call it a night on my behalf. I could have ordered room service while you went out.”
“Did you have plans?” I asked, turning to Aisling.
“No,” she says at the same time her mam says, “Yes.”
“Well, you would have if you hadn’t turned him down to fuss over me?—”
“Oh my god, I wasn’t fussing, Mom. I didn’t want to go—” Her eyes dart to me, and her lips purse as if she’s just remembered whose company she’s in. “It’s not a big deal,” she amends. “And besides, I’ve barely seen you all day. Can you blame me for wanting to spend some time with my mom?”
By Deidre’s expression, she’s clearly not buying into her daughter’s story, but she brushes it aside. “No, of course not. And now, we get to enjoy a meal with Finn. Isn’t that lucky?”
“So lucky,” Aisling mutters, just as the waiter arrives to take our order.
I grin as I watch her order fish and chips. She might be annoyed by this turn of events, but I don’t care. From what I can tell, she turned down Mr. Chuckles. Not only did she turn him down, but she also made up a lame excuse about needing to take care of her mom in order to do so.
This information pleases me way too much.
