But she’s right. I have a pub full of customers to see to.
“Before we go,”—I brush my knuckles down her soft cheek—“I’d like to take you out. On a real date. Tomorrow.”
“I happen to have tomorrow night off,” she says. “But you—”
“My da’s in town, remember? He’ll love nothing more than to be in charge for an evening.”
“Well then, you have yourself a date.”
She grins, and I can’t help myself. I kiss her again, softer and gentler this time until my brain buzzes, and my cock gets hard.
“Spaghetti,” I whisper.
“Are you hungry?” she asks.
“I need to think of things to calm down before I say fuck the pub and carry you into my bedroom to have my way with you.”
Her blue eyes dance with awareness. “I like spaghetti. I think tacos are my favorite, though.”
“Hard or soft shell?”
“Hard.” She grins. “With extra cilantro.”
“I hate cilantro. It tastes like soap.”
“Oh, you’re one of those unfortunate souls with weird tastebuds.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Come on. We have work to do. Unless you’d rather go home for the night.”
“No.” She squares her shoulders. “Like you said, we have work to do. My mother doesn’t have the privilege of interfering in my life anymore.”
I follow her down to the pub, relieved when no one stands to make a big deal out of the earlier scene. We easily slip back into our roles, me pulling taps, and Izzy seeing to her tables. My da offers me a wink as he pulls the handle for the Guinness.
“Everything okay, then?”
“It is.”
And that’s all that’s said about it for the rest of the evening.
“Good morning, my love,” Ma says as she and Da walk into the pub the next morning. Despite a long workday yesterday, they’re both fresh as can be and look ready to start another busy day.
“And a good morning to you.” I kiss Ma’s cheek and then hug my father. “You do know that you don’t have to come in every single day. You can enjoy your time here on the island without working it away.”
“We enjoy it,” Ma replies. “And I want to get a batch of apple muffins into the oven this morning for you.”
“I don’t want you to work too hard.”
She pats my cheek and then saunters off to the kitchen. “Don’t you worry about me, Keegan. I’m doing exactly what I want to do.”
“And she always does,” Da says with a smile as he watches her walk away. “I’m going to Shawn’s in a bit to help him with a project at the house. But your mother wanted to come in and get some baking done and start on the stew and meat pies.”
“There’s nothing like having Ma in the kitchen,” I admit. “Maggie’s wonderful, and her stew is delicious, but it isn’t the same. Don’t ever tell her I said that.”
Da laughs and pats me on the shoulder. “I understand your meaning, son. Fiona has a way with food. I think it’s the love she pours into it. She’s been looking forward to being here for weeks, just so she can spend her days back there. But don’t worry, I’m keeping an eye on her. If I think she’s overextending herself, I’ll say so.”
“I know. And now I’ll sound like a hypocrite because I need to ask you a favor.”
“Anything, if it’s in my power. You know that.”
“I need you to cover the bar for me tonight.”
His brow furrows in surprise. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s fine. I’m just taking Izzy out on a date.”
His brows climb. “I’m sorry, am I speaking with Keegan O’Callaghan? My second eldest son?”
I laugh and reach for a bottle of orange juice, then pour myself a glass. “One and the same, yes.”
“This is unusual for you.”
“If you’d rather not cover the shift, I can ask Shawn to do it.”
“I didn’t say that, did I?” He crosses his arms and watches me. “I like her.”
I take a sip of juice. “I do, too.”
“She has a backbone and an honest face. And she’s kind.”
“She is those things,” I agree. “But don’t go marrying us off quite yet, old man. This is just a date.”
“If you’re taking the evening away from the pub to court her, I’d say it’s not just anything at all. But I’ll mind my own. Your mother likes her, too, in case you were wondering.”
“Ma likes everyone.”
“Oh, she had some choice words to say last night about Izzy’s ma, I’ll tell you that. And, no, she doesn’t like everyone when it comes to her children. She really didn’t like that girl you dated in high school. What was her name?”
“You know her name was Amber. And, yes, I remember that Ma didn’t like her.”
“Do you have something special planned for tonight?”
“Dinner. The weather’s been nice, so maybe a picnic.”
“Well, enjoy yourself.”
“You’re not going to tell me that it’s a bad idea to date an employee?”
He shakes his head. “I was married to my employee the entire time I ran this business, and we did just fine. You’re a smart man with a good head on his shoulders.”
I can smell the apple muffins baking in the kitchen, and my stomach growls.
“Are you going to stay for muffins?”
“Of course. Let’s go see how much longer they have to bake.”
I haven’t been nervous about picking up a date since I was in high school. And if anyone asked, I’d say I’m not nervous now. That’s just ridiculous.
I rub my hands down my jeans’ legs after I cut the truck’s engine and take a deep breath. The flowers on the seat next to me are fresh and smell great as I pick them up and get out of the vehicle to walk up to Maggie’s door.
Someone flings it open before I can knock, and my baby sister stands before me with a smug grin on her lips.
“For me? You shouldn’t have.”
“You’re a pain in my arse.”
“I’ve been doing the Lord’s work since 1994.” She winks and opens the door wide so I can step inside. Izzy is just making her way down the stairs.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
Thank Christ she doesn’t wear this sort of outfit at the pub. I’d never be able to hold a conversation with a customer or remember an order again.
She’s in a simple summer dress, but it’s red, has the tiniest hint of straps on her shoulders, and flows to mid-thigh.
My fingers itch to brush her skin there, and under the skirt, leading to the glories that lie beneath.
“He’s speechless,” Maggie says with a laugh. “That doesn’t happen often.”
“And that’s the truth of it,” I agree without any embarrassment at all. “I brought these for you.”
“Oh, how pretty. Thank you.” Izzy buries her nose in the pink roses and sniffs them delicately. “I’ll just put them in some water.”