Page 39 of Beer & Broomsticks

And he meant it. He’d been ready to cut ties and run if this didn’t work, but spending these last days with Bridget had changed his mind. He intended to stick, and if it took him until he was ninety to convince her to try again, then ninety it would be. They would experience whatever happiness they could in whatever time they had left before they crossed to the Otherworld.

“And if Loman stops us before we start?” she asked, concern heavy in her voice.

“The plan is to stop him first.”

CHAPTER17

All through their tea with Piper, Bridget thought about what he’d said. But more importantly, she thought about what he made herfeelagain.

Loved.

Cherished.

Valued.

Wanted.

And having thought all of that, she needed a break from his company to process the excess emotions overwhelming her.

“Do you mind coming back for me, Ruairí? Give me a while to catch up with Piper about her trip?”

His knowing eyes and lopsided grin told her he knew she needed time away from him to put her mind to rights.

“Aye. Message me when you’re done, and I’ll be back for you.”

“I can bring her home,” Piper offered as she inspected and selected another sandwich from the batch on the plate.

If Bridget allowed Piper to teleport her, she’d miss the wonderful warmth of Ruairí’s embrace on the return trip. Her indecision apparently gave her way.

“Or not,” Piper said with a laugh. “I guess it’s up to you to retrieve her, Ruairí.”

He rose to his feet and drew Bridget up beside him. With a tender, lingering kiss, he said, “I’ll come the instant you call,mo ghrá.”

In a blink, he was gone.

“He’s a romantic fucker. I’ll give him that.” Piper’s wide-eyed wonder sent Bridget into peals of laughter. “What? Heisromantic! The man never takes those puppy-dog eyes from you, and he hangs on your every word. I’m positive he’d lay down his life for you if you asked.”

A shiver chased along Bridget’s spine, and her nerve endings went haywire. “Never say it. It’s like inviting trouble, it is.”

“Sorry. My bad.” With the offer of the plate, Piper gave her a beseeching look. “Forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive, is there? But have a care about temptin’ the Fates in the future, all the same.”

“Consider it done.”

“Grand. Now, tell me about your holiday and leave out the part about shagging my brother. No sister needs to be forced to sanitize her mind over her brother’s bedroom adventures, but I will after hearing such things.”

For the next two hours, Piper regaled her with stories of her honeymoon in the islands with Cian. She did reveal they seldom left their room, but also described in great detail the times they did. The food, the day jaunts, the warm sandy beaches, snorkeling with dolphins. It sounded like heaven to Bridget.

“You look wistful. Should I shut up now?” Piper asked with a rueful smile.

“Not at all. I love hearing about your trip.”

“But?”

“No buts. I do.” When her new friend raised her brows, Bridget crinkled her nose. “I might be a wee bit jealous, if I’m tellin’ it true. The last time I left home was for the Witches’ Council hearing against Ryker Gillespie. After watching that right mess, I was back to work within hours.” She sighed. “A real holiday sounds wonderful, it does.”

“So it’s not the fact that everyone around you seems to be coupling up?”

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