Page 60 of London, Love, & A Little Something Irish

I smirk. “Hey, beautiful,” I say. Her cheeks go pink, and I hold back a groan. I love making her blush.

I pull her into a hug, though it’s way too short for my liking. Every time I touch her, my heart pounds. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before.

“Let’s go on inside. How are you feeling?” I ask, catching her fingers in mine. I know everyone’s waiting, so I let my touch linger just a second longer. We’re keeping things casual in front of people, which means I have to let her go—and I hate it. So I hold onto her just before we step inside.

“Yeah, good! Maybe a little nervous? Meeting all your friends! Everybody knows everybody, so I’ll be the new girl. I hope they like me.” She leans into me slightly, and her perfume, fruity and sweet, wraps around me. It suits her.

“They’ll love you.” Just like I’m beginning to.

We step inside, and I bring her downstairs to where everyone’s gathered. About ten of us tonight, a mix of friends, but I introduce her to my closest ones first.

She flashes them her warmest smile, and I know she’s already won them over.

“Ey, yo Irish, this isthegirl!” Jerome claps a hand on my back and grins.

I glance at Nataly. She’s smiling, but her brows furrow slightly.

“This is Nataly,” I say, giving her a grin that tells her I’m not elaborating on that.

“It’s good to meet you, Nataly.” Jerome pulls her in for a hug. He’s great at making people feel instantly welcome. She’ll feel at ease in no time.

“Yeah, he’s been telling usallabout you.” Ezra smirks, sending her a wink, and Iknowexactly what he’s doing.

I barely hold back a groan. Of course, they’re going to tease me all night.

Nataly’s blush deepens.

“Well, it’s great to meet y’all!” she says, and just like that, she’s in. She falls into conversation easily, chatting, laughing, and making herself at home.

Eddie steps up beside me, watching her with a knowing look. “It’s good to see things finally going the way you’ve wanted.” He nudges my side.

“We’re not official yet,” I admit, watching her laugh at something Jerome said. “But I’m working on that.”

Eddie grins. “Well, it’s just good to see you happy, man.”

Conversation flows around us, and Nataly is in her element. She told me once she’s an extroverted introvert—something we talked about on one of our late-night calls.

"I love people. I need people. I get so much energy from being around them. But I also have a social battery, so if I’ve been around people for too long, I need time to myself. And if I’m meeting a big group I don’t know, my introvert side takes over. I feel like I’m ten again, walking into a new class, being the new girl.”

She always speaks and carries herself with confidence, but I’ve learned to pick up on her subtler mannerisms. I can tell when she’s a little nervous, when she’s overthinking.

Right now? She’s fine. She holds her own. Friendly, warm, effortlessly drawing people in.

We’re busy eating and drinking and laughing throughout the night. At one point, I slide a hand onto her knee underthe table. I feel the way she jolts at the sudden contact. The way her breath catches.

Her fingers hesitate. She’s debating whether to grab my hand back, but she plays it cool. I can tell it takes everything in her.

By the end of the night, she’s cemented herself as a favorite. It’s getting late—around 10 p.m.—and I still need to take her home.

“Ready?” I ask.

“Ready.” I squeeze her knee. Good thing I’ve got the work van tonight. Her dress and a motorbike wouldn’t mix. And I’ll finally be able to tuck my arm around her like I’ve wanted to do all night.

We’re walking out to the van after saying goodbye to everyone, and I press my hand to the small of her back, leading her the right way. I see her shiver a little. I notice her lean in the tiniest bit.

“My friends loved you,” I say.

She bites her lip.I can’t wait to do that myself.“You think so?”

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