Page 24 of Her Irish Boss

“What exactly happened up there, Selena?” he asked.

She hoped to simplify it. “I told Simmons he needed to leave. We're getting them to-go boxes and their checks.”

He shifted, giving Katie his full attention. “Katie, sweetheart, what did you mean by Simmons pawing all over Selena?”

Selena looked up at the exposed wooden beams in the ceiling. No way Katie might, for once, keep quiet. She closed her eyes. Yup. There she went, giving Cathal a play-by-play. Even down to Simmons's suggestive proposition.

“He touched you?”

Cathal's direct question unnerved her. Not for getting Randy Simmons in trouble. No. If she had to guess, this wasn't Randy's first time propositioning a woman. But the aggression in Cathal's voice. Tense. Dangerous.

Selena rolled her eyes, hoping to come across as nonchalant. “He touched my blue jeans—”

“Ladies, I'd appreciate it if you'd give me a few minutes with our guests before returning with their to-go boxes.”Cathal stepped from behind the bar. He paused beside Selena and mumbled, “find Brogan. But, for God's sake, don't tell him about Simmons touching you.”

“I tried not to tellyouabout Simmons touching me.”

“Just send him up that way.”

Selena dropped her head forward. “Will do.” Oh well for trying to keep the peace.

Katie leaned her back against the bar and watched Cathal leave. “I really wish I knew him before I started working here. One night. That's all I want.”

God, sometimes, Katie was oblivious. “I'm going to go tell the boss and grab those to-go boxes. You can offer to take drinks from the bar to tables down here on the floor. Save everyone a few trips.”

She gave her a mock salute. “I'm on it.”

Selena walked to the door of Brogan's office. He sat at his computer, his brow wrinkled as he looked at his computer screen. He'd messed up his hair on one side. His tie sat a little crooked. She really didn't want to add on the stress.

“Hey,” she started.

He stood up so quickly his computer chair almost flipped. “Is everything alright?”

She held up her hands to calm him down. “Yes. Cathal went upstairs to the party. Asked me to find you and tell you to meet him up there.”

He stepped from around the desk. She didn't budge from blocking his way. “You forgot your jacket.”

He blinked before stepping back to his chair and putting it on. “Thank you. What happened?”

“Cathal said for you to go on up. I have about forty to-go boxes to collect.”

The concerned look shifted to something intense. He set a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it. “You're alright?”

No. Not when he watched her with so much concern. “I'm fine.” She straightened his tie, avoiding his gaze, smoothing the tie down his body, feeding off his strength.

“I don't believe you.”

She tilted her head back, soaking in the way he watched her. She brushed down the small part of his soft hair that stuck out on the side, not caring at the moment what was appropriate.

“Then that's too bad.” Selena gave him a light shove out the door, trying to play it off like it wasn't a big deal. “Go. Before Cathal gets distracted and finds a pretty girl to talk to.”

She watched him take the stairs two at a time until he reached the top, pausing a long moment. He glanced over his shoulder, finding her immediately, a dark scowl in place.

Even from that distance, she felt the electricity between them snap. Rian stepped up beside her. “Cathal sent me a text to come to help out with Brogan. Any idea what's going on?”

“Help with Brogan?” There went her ability to handle the situation alone. “They're up there. With Simmons.”

“Oh.” With that one word, Rian left and also took the stairs two at a time. Only he didn't pause at the top but rushed forward and out of sight.

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