Page 5 of Tangled Up In You

“I did get a bit of the tourist’s view over the weekend.”

“Ah, let’s see, that would be Grafton Street, Trinity Library, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral?” he asked.

Even as she laughed in acknowledgment, she couldn’t keep from glancing at Gavin. He was watching them, his eyes bouncing back and forth between her and Conor.

“You’ll have to see the city with more of an insider’s feel. I could show you some unique spots.” His small smile was sexy, suggestive.

“Unique?”

“You know, places only locals know?—”

“Word to the wise, Sophie,” Gavin called out with a wicked grin, “Conor’s my best mate, but I’d be careful. He’s a heartbreaker!”

“Fuck off, Gav,” Conor returned with a laugh.

“Oh, yeah? Put ’em up, pretty boy,” Gavin said, getting up and rounding the table so he could assume a boxing stance.

Conor rose to join him and the two held up fists, but when they swiped at each other it was with an open hand, trying to land a slap rather than a punch.

“Boys and their macho nonsense, aye?” Felicity said with a nod to the two of them.

Sophie laughed before her gaze moved past the boys to the girl Gavin had kissed. She was watching Gavin intently, following his every move. “Is she Gavin’s girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend du jour, you could say. Her name’s Mary. Sort of a surprise that they’re a couple.”

“Why’s that?”

“To be honest, she’s not exactly at his level. Gavin, well, he could have his pick of ‘em, you know?”

“I bet,” Sophie said absently, her attention returning to Gavin. He moved fluidly, dodging Conor’s jabs.

“Don’t tell me you’re interested?” Felicity asked. “With the way he’s treated you today?”

“No, not at all.”

Felicity watched her for a moment before murmuring a skeptical “Uh huh.” It seemed her new friend could see right through her.

Sophie shrugged, silently admitting what she couldn’t really explain or justify: shewasinterested in Gavin. Even though he wasn’t available. Even though they’d shared nothing more than a few heated gazes and some oddly tense interactions. “Tell me about you.”

“Nice change of subject,” Felicity said with a laugh. “I’m not sure what to say except I’m jealous that you’ve moved yourself so far away from home. I’d love to do that. To be that bold. I mean, that actually is my plan, to go as far away as possible for university and a taste of freedom. I just have to really do it.”

“Freedom from what?”

Felicity sighed and looked down. “It’s just me and my ma and pretty much always has been. And she’s just … a lot, you know? She’s so needy. I sometimes feel like I’m the mother and she’s the child. I’m dying to live my life for me. So, I’m doing the best I can with school so I can move on. Until then, I spend my time with this lot.”

That Felicity shared something so personal touched Sophie. She thought about reciprocating by telling her the truth behind her so-called “bold” move to Ireland. But she wasn’t ready.

“Well, let me give you the lay of the land, so to speak. You already know Gavin and Conor. They’ve been best mates since God was a boy. They started a band together, too.”

“A band?”

Felicity grinned. “Sexy, yeah? Young rockers. Gavin’s the singer—got a nice voice. Conor plays guitar. And see that fella over there?” she asked, lifting her chin.

Sophie swung her gaze in the direction Felicity indicated and saw a lanky boy sitting by himself, wearing headphones, with his head bowed. His dirty blond hair fell over his eyes, but she recognized him from earlier.

“That’s Shay—the drummer. He’s so wrapped up in music that a lot of us suspect he doesn’t even know what a girl is,” Felicity said with a laugh.

“It can’t be that bad,” Sophie said.

---