“And what do you want?”
“This.” She waves her hand over the table and gestures to the town. “I want to make my own living, have my own friends, and go on dates with my handsome boss.”
I smile at her. “All of those things sound good to me.”
The sun sets over the water as Izzy and I finish our meal, and I pack the leftovers in the basket.
“Let’s walk over here,” I suggest and take her hand in mine to lead her down a path to the edge of the cliff where a bench sits. “Have a seat.”
“This might be the best view in the world.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
She glances my way and sees that I’m looking at her. “You’re charming.”
“I’m not, no.” I tuck a piece of blond hair behind her ear. “But I’m taken with you, Isabella, and I find myself wanting to be near you more often than not.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Not from where I’m sitting.”
I lean in and kiss her cheek. I want to pull her to me and claim her mouth with mine, but we aren’t the only two in the park, and I don’t want her to miss the sunset.
“Watch.”
I point west, and we sit in silence as the sun slips behind the horizon.
“I had a lot of fun tonight,” Izzy says as I walk her up the steps to the front door. “And I’m not just saying that because it’s customary when a date is over.”
“I enjoyed myself, as well.” I brace my hand on the doorjamb next to her head and lean in to brush my lips gently over hers. “I’d like to see you again. And often.”
“I’d like that, too.” Her voice is breathy, and her hands grip the front of my shirt as I take the kiss deeper, enjoying the last few moments I have with her.
Suddenly, the porch light comes on, startling us both.
“Thought you’d like to see what you’re doing out there,” Maggie calls through the door.
Izzy laughs.
I scowl.
“Maybe you should go ahead and move back in with me so I don’t have my baby sister as a gatekeeper every time I want to see you.”
“Don’t be grouchy,” Maggie yells through the door.
“Get the hell away from this door before I take you over my knee, Mary Margaret.”
I hear laughter as she walks away. Izzy smiles up at me.
“Thank you for dinner, and the incredible view. And the conversation. I was going to ask your mom about you, but it’s better to get the information from the source.”
“I think we have plenty more to learn about each other.”
“I agree. We have time.”
I nod, kiss her once more, and then turn to leave while my feet can still carry me away. I wait in the truck until she’s safely inside, and then I drive the short distance to the pub.
I could go relieve my da and take care of the bar for the rest of the night. It’s not even ten o’clock.
But I don’t.
I promised myself a night off, and I’m going to take it.
So, I climb the steps to my flat and sit on the couch. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I bring up Izzy’s number.
Me: I’ll be there to pick you up at 8:00 a.m.
I smile at the three bubbles bouncing on the screen as she types her reply.
Izzy: I’ll be ready. Good night, handsome.
Chapter 6
~Izzy~
“Your brother is taking me out to breakfast,” I inform Maggie as I swing into the kitchen and pour myself a little glass of orange juice. “He should be here any minute.”
“Fun.” She watches me speculatively.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing.” She shrugs and takes my glass to have a sip. “You didn’t tell me much about your date last night.”
“And I probably won’t tell you much about it today.”
She huffs out a breath and scowls. “You can trust me, you know.”
“Oh, trust isn’t the issue. I had a good time. And I’m keeping the rest to myself for now. If I didn’t enjoy myself, I wouldn’t let him take me out for breakfast today.”
“I guess that’s true,” she says as the doorbell rings.
I hurry and open the door to find Keegan, hair damp from his shower, wearing a dark green T-shirt and faded blue jeans.
My mouth waters.
“Good morning,” he greets with a grin. “You look fantastic.”
“As do you. I’m ready when you are.”
“I want to go,” Maggie says as she joins us. “I’m hungry.”
Keegan’s eyes narrow on his sister. I smile. I don’t mind if she joins us at all.
“Come on, then,” he agrees, and the three of us climb into Keegan’s truck. He drives us to the edge of town to his favorite diner. Most of the tables are empty as we’re shown to a booth on the edge of the room. Keegan slides in next to me, and Maggie sits across from us.
“You guys are cute together,” she says.
“Are you going to be a jerk the whole time we’re here, or can you behave like a regular human being, Mary Margaret?”
“I’m not a jerk, you jerk. I simply said you’re cute. And you are.”
“What can I get you?” the waitress asks.
“I’m going to have the breakfast tacos. To go,” Maggie adds. “I just came to torment my brother. Can you add extra salsa on the side and some hash browns? Oh, and a cinnamon roll.”
“How many are you eating for?” Keegan asks.
“You don’t have to leave,” I rush to assure Maggie.
“I’m gonna walk over to Maeve’s and see what she’s up to. Really.”
I order the pancakes, and Keegan gets his usual oatmeal. When the food is delivered, with Maggie’s bagged up and ready to go, she stands and offers me a smile.
“In all seriousness, you are cute together. I like it. And don’t forget, we’re having lunch tomorrow with Maeve.”
“Oh, I won’t forget. I’m excited.”
Maggie grins and takes her food. Before she makes it out the door, a tall man approaches her.
Maggie frowns.
“Who’s that?” I ask Keegan.
“Cameron,” he replies, watching them with narrowed eyes.
“Who’s Cameron?”
“Kane’s best friend. A friend of the whole family, really, as they’ve been close since they were small boys.”
“He looks at Maggie like she hung the moon.” I watch in fascination as Maggie’s face turns mutinous, then shuts down altogether. She says something I can’t hear, then shakes her head and walks away.
Cameron watches her with so much longing, it makes my heart hurt.
“I wish they’d just admit that they’re meant for each other,” Keegan mutters.
“Oh, he knows,” I assure him. “That poor man is in love with her. I think your sister’s being stubborn.”
“She wouldn’t be Mary Margaret if she wasn’t being stubborn.” Keegan waves at Cameron as the other man walks across the room and stands next to our booth. “Good morning to you, mate.”