Page 135 of Destined Lovers

Nora’s head flies around, and she puts her finger against her lips to shush me. I see Agnes snuggled up with Nora’s favorite wool blanket, napping on the couch with the fire burning in front of her.

Agnes arrived just yesterday. The doctor finally okayed it, and only because we had a private plane and transfer. She’s still not feeling one hundred percent, nor does she look it, which puts Nora right over the edge. She was a wreck, fussing over Agnes like a crazed woman.

I’ve never seen her like that, and I regret inadvertently blaming her for Agnes’s sickness. Because I know that’s all Nora is thinking of now.

She won’t let her leave her side, and I know going for dinner tonight will be tough. Agnes will be okay, though. She’ll be here with Maeve and Penny. Ethan is staying to keep an eye on everything, and we will be within walking distance.

Dinner was originally atTurnesol, Wills’s restaurant, which I took Nora to for lunch last week. Instead, we switched it to a neighborhood place in case Agnes needed us.

“Mo dheirfiúr.” I kiss Maeve hello, and she smiles but doesn’t say anything, too enthralled with her painting.

I turn toward Nora. “Mo ghrá síoraí,” I whisper, bending down to kiss her lips, letting them linger a second longer than appropriate in front of Maeve. I can’t help it, I missed her today. I had to go into the office for a meeting I couldn’t reschedule.

“You need to shower, Pip. We need to leave soon.” She’s covered in paint, as always.

Messiest painter I’ve ever met.

“Okay,” she hesitates and looks over to Agnes.

“It’s okay, Nora. She’s in good hands.” She knows we’ll be right down the block.

* * *

I walk into the bedroom to check if Nora is almost ready to leave and see her racing around like a wild lunatic.

“What’s going on?”

She stops dead in her tracks. “Oh, thank Jesus. I can’t find my green jumper with the large buttons. Come help me.” She runs back into the closet and starts throwing her clothes around. She’s frantic.

“Nora.” I place my hand on her shoulder to calm her, and she jumps like a scared cat. “Your favorite jumper is at the dry cleaners. Remember I told you I was sending all our stuff yesterday?”

Her eyes go wide. “What the hell am I going to wear then?”

“All right, my little spitfire, it’s time to reel it in. You have about five hundred sweaters and floral dresses that look identical. Pick something else.”

“I can’t pick something else!” she screams. “And why didn’t you leave me a note this morning? I feel all out of sorts!”

I knew she loved the little quotes and affirmations I left her daily, but never to the point, it would mess up her day if I forgot one, even though I didn’t.

“What the hell, Nora.” I bend down, pick her up, and bring her to the bed. “Why are you acting like this over a sweater? And I did leave you a note. It probably fell. Did you check behind the counter?”

She bites her bottom lip and takes a deep breath through her nose. “No, I didn’t, and I just feel the most comfortable in that jumper.” She shrugs her shoulders.

I cup her cheek, and she leans into the touch. I love that feeling. The pressure of her body leaning into mine. Whenever she depends on me or touches me, I instantly feel grounded.

“Everything is going to be okay, Pip,” I murmur softly to calm her. “They will love you, and I promise you’re going to love them.”

“What if I don’t, you know how I am with new people sometimes. I’ll probably get along with the guys better and then look like a total gobshite.”

“You’re going to love everyone.” I hesitate, and she feels it because her eyes fly open.

“Who is it? Who’s going to hate me?” I pull her into me because I can see the fire in her eyes. She’s about to become frantic again.

“No one is going to hate you, angel. How could they?” I lean down and press my lips hard into hers, leaving them to linger a second to calm her. God, I love her. I wish I could keep her locked up in this house with me forever. However, I know that won’t fly with my friends.

“I want you to keep an open mind. Don’t judge anyone too quickly. This group has an eclectic ray of personalities. I want you to give them a chance.”

“You’re making me more nervous,” she mutters and scooches closer for a deeper cuddle.

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