Page 42 of Destined Lovers

I already know they’re somewhere looking down on us, happy we are finally taking this trip together. They were so excited when we told them about our plans because they ventured on a few similar road trips when they were younger themselves.

We even added spots along the way they enjoyed, wanting to follow in their footsteps. I’m especially looking forward to having a pint in honor of them in Galway, where my da proposed to my mam.

The exact place he confessed his love for her one year earlier.

I make it to the pub and rid the thoughts of my parents,for now, not wanting to let them interfere with my day. There are plenty of times when I start thinking of them, and it becomes so overwhelming I fall down a rabbit hole of memories I can’t get out of.

I glance toward the bar when I walk in, John is waiting for me, check in hand. But the bad news is, Bennett is here with Killian.

I’m too worked up right now to be a good liar, and I know they will either want me to stay and hang out—which I can’t do because, of course, I’m way behind schedule, and Declan will be at the house in less than an hour. I needed to do all the things today. Nails, waxing…you know, all the girl stuff I haven’t needed to worry about in years.

Plus, if I spend any extended time with them, they will be suspicious that I’m picking up my check early when I told them I’m doing nothing but painting all week on my time off.

And there is no way in hell I’m telling either of them what Declanactuallymeans to me yet.

Maybe I’ll make it out without them noticing me, or interrogating me. But the second John spots me, I immediately realize I have no luck. His boisterous yelling of my name echoes through the almost empty pub.

“Happy Christmas, love.” He leans for a hug and hands me my check with a wink. Code for ‘I included something extra for the holiday.’ He’s been doing it for years, but only for me. If Hannah, my bitchy coworker, found out, she would raise hell.

“Thanks, John. I hope you and the family had a lovely Christmas.”

“Got me one of those flat TVs all the young kids have. The missus was beside herself. Now she can watch all those trashy reality shows on the big screen.” I hold back my chuckle and pat him on the back. I’m not sure what decade John is living in, he is always way behind in the trends.

We had a rotary phone here at the pub for as long as I could remember, until one day, it broke, and I thought John’s world would end.

“Well, I’m glad you had a good time. I’m going to say hi to the boys. I’ll see you in the new year,” I say and walk over toward the two I want to see least in the world right now.

Both of them stare with curious eyes as I make my way closer to them.

“What are you doing here?” Bennett asks.

“You look lovely today, Riley. Thanks again for the thoughtful painting. I’m ecstatic to see you so soon,” I mock, and he shakes his head.

“You’re a real pain in my arse. You know that, right?”

“Yet you still love me.” I fake a smile and lean down to kiss and wish Killian a Happy Christmas.

“Why are you here?” Bennett cuts right to the chase, so I wave my check in front of his face.

“Aye, thanks, Captain Obvious. I mean, why do you need your check now?”

And there it is.

“I need some new supplies. Would you like to see my whole shopping list, Benny boy?” I raise a brow in question.

I call him his most hated nickname, so I can distract him from not remembering that we just did a colossal art haul when we drove to Belfast last week.

“Leave the girl alone, would ya?” Killian mutters, sticking up for me.

“Thank you!”

Bennett shivers in disgust. “Don’t call me that. I barely tolerate it when you call me Ben.

I chuckle sardonically. I love to push his buttons.

“Do you want to do something this week? I’ll come by, and we can go for lunch or dinner?” he asks.

“No!” I shout a little too loudly. “Sorry, no visitors this week. I haven’t had time to concentrate on my painting. I want no interruptions.”

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