Page 89 of Forever Flames: Padraig & Stevie
Their living room is buzzing when Mara and I step through the doorway. In some ways, nothing’s changed. Laughter and voices overlap. Chairs scrape against hardwood. The smell of fresh coffee wafts through the air. Lucinda’s giant birthday cake holds court at the table.
The Hayes’ place is exactly as I remember. Wide front windows frame the yard, shelves are crowded with books and knickknacks Lucinda’s collected over the years. The couch is where Stevie and I watched TV for hours when we were kids and where we lost our virginity together.
Everything’s the same but so clearly different.
Lucinda stands at the head of the dining table. Ma joins her and soon, they’re laughing like schoolgirls. Hank sits in the corner with Stevie’s baby on his lap, making faces to coax out tiny giggles. As usual, Ziggy teases Joni over some silly thing.
And…there she is.
Stevie. Smoothing a loose strand of the younger daughter’s hair back into its braid. She glances up as we enter. I catch the faintest flicker in her expression when her eyes meet mine before she quickly looks away.
Ah. So weweregood and now we’re gonna ignore each other.
Good to know.
Cooper, his hair graying slightly at the temples, comes in from the kitchen, cake knife in hand. “Let’s get this party started!”
Mara’s hand threads around mine, and I realize I’ve stopped in the doorway. “Should we sit?”
“Sure.” I force my feet forward toward the empty side of the table.
“Padraig,” Lucinda says warmly as we pass. “It’s so good to see you home.”
“You too.” I step aside so Mara isn’t blocked. “This is my girlfriend, Mara.”
“Well, hello. How nice to meet you.” Lucinda’s eyes crinkle curiously.
“Thank you for having me.” Mara offers her hand, which Lucinda ignores in favor of pulling her into a hug.
Without thinking, I glance across the room to find Stevie again. She’s back on her feet next to her dad. Lila clutches herhand like a lifeline. Cooper moves to stand behind her, his easy smile never faltering as he drapes one arm casually around her shoulder, the other around the oldest girl.
The perfect family picture is almost too much for me to take.
I clear my throat and guide Mara toward the empty seats at the far end of the table. Everyone else also settles into their places. Ma and Da near Lucinda and Hank. Cillian, Seamus, Joni, and Ziggy leaning against the mantel as they chatter away.
Ma makes quick work of slicing the cake. Plates make their way around the table and I can’t help but low-key stare at Stevie with her kids.
“Careful, Lila.” Stevie steadies her daughter’s plate as frosting threatens to slide off.
“Thanks, Mommy.”
Cooper leans close to murmur something in Stevie’s ear and she laughs quietly, shaking her head at him. The sound feels like a punch straight to the ribs.
Mara notices me watching and squeezes my knee under the table. “Is it tough seeing your ex?”
“It’s fucking weird.” I force a grin. “I haven’t seen her since she had all these kids. It’s a lot to process.”
She smiles, but I can tell she’s not convinced I’m being completely truthful.
Decidedly, I turn my chair to face her and the two of us join a conversation with Cillian and Da about construction site war stories. Mara asks a bunch of questions and charms both my brother and father with her insight. I sit quietly, thoroughly enjoying her using her reporting skills to ingratiate herself with my family.
Despite my efforts to focus on my girlfriend, every time I glance up, I find Stevie’s eyes on me from where she sits on the couch eating cake. She doesn’t hold my gaze for more than asecond. Always looks away as soon as I catch her to focus on one of her kids or Cooper.
My God, even after all these years the pull between us is undeniable.
Sharp and familiar.
Wrong.
