Page 58 of Captivating Mr. Second Chance

Ethan kept his voice monotone as he said, “Ha. Ha. Really original.” Swiveling on his chair to capture Laney’s attention, he explained, “They like to catch up on the years of torment they missed out on since we were moving around so much.”

Siobhan nodded, acknowledging the truth as she walked away. “Gotta get back to work. See you later.”

Colleen placed Laney’s beer in front of her. “What can I get you guys to eat? The fish ’n chips are killer.”

Laney tapped her hand on the bar. “Fish ’n chips, it is.”

Ethan handed Colleen their menus even though neither of them had even opened them. “Roast beef sandwich for me. Extra horseradish.”

“Got it.”

She pivoted away, and Laney propped her elbow on the bar, her chin in her hand. “Tell me.”

“Tell you what?” he asked around a sip of beer.

“About our time apart. I want to know everything I missed.”

He ran both hands through his hair, messing up the way he had the front styled so it drooped to the side. His cowlick pointed in the other direction, making him look younger, and if it weren’t for his five-o’clock shadow, she’d think they were back in high school.

“Everything?” he asked, setting his knees on the outside of hers.

When she nodded, he launched into his life for the past ten years. He talked about the countries he had studied abroad in, and the time he got lost in the middle of Oktoberfest in Munich, only to be found passed out on the side of the road by the police. He told her how even though he loved traveling, he loved being able to come home more. He’d never met any friends better than the ones he’d met at Holy Redeemer, and that made Laney smile.

She was falling for him. All over again.

“Here we go.” Tim interrupted Laney telling Ethan about her girls to slide their food onto the bar. The plates were huge. “I put my special sauce on there,” he said, referring to Ethan’s sandwich.

Ethan rubbed his hands together. “Thanks.”

Tim patted Laney’s shoulder. “Enjoy.”

She smiled and bit into a fry as she spritzed her plate with malt vinegar, going back to telling Ethan about Gem, Bronte, and Sam. The fish was hot, crispy, and delicious, but she could barely finish it.

Blowing out a big breath, she sat back in her chair. “I’m so full already.”

“Uncle Tim must like you. Gave you a bigger plate than usual.” Ethan gripped her upper thigh with a squeeze. “He’s not the only one who likes you. But then again, you’ve always had a big fan club.” He wove his other hand through her hair, wrapping a lock around his index finger. He tucked it behind her ear, sweeping the length of it aside to kiss the spot below her ear. She shivered when his breath ghosted her neck. “You smell edible.”

“Are you sure that’s not the roast beef sandwich?”

“Positive.” He kissed her one more time. “We should get going.”

She stood up and took one more sip of her Guinness. She’d barely drunk any of it but felt buzzed anyway, every cell and fiber in her body lit up because of Ethan.

After hugs to his uncle and cousins, he slipped his arm around her waist, escorting her back outside to his car. The show was in Fishtown at The Fillmore, a converted warehouse with two concert spaces, a smaller room upstairs and an open space in the basement, which was where Ethan directed Laney.

There were some seats along the outside of the room, for people to eat and drink, but the rest was standing room only.

“You want a drink from the bar?” Ethan asked.

She shook her head. “But I’ll have a sip of yours.”

He ordered another beer and two bottles of water. Laney took one of the waters and chugged about half before they found a spot on the floor toward the right side of the stage. He slid his arm around her shoulders, offering her his beer. She accepted it and took a swig.

“You’re normally a wine drinker, huh?”

She nodded and passed the lager back to him. “Although it seems you’re turning me into a beer drinker.”

He grinned into his beer right as the lights flickered. It was time for the show.

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