Page 45 of The Past

I inhaled sharply.

He didn’t smile, didn’t nod—just looked at me.

And I looked right back.

Something inside me clenched, deep and aching.I wanted to go to him.Wanted to tear off the scarf Brian had put on me and run in the opposite direction.But I stood still, frozen between two worlds, two choices.

Brian’s frustrated muttering dragged my attention back and I turned his way, telling myself I had no business wishing for things I couldn’t have.

He was fishing for more coins.

“Brian, really, it’s fine,” I tried again.“Let’s get a cider.”

“One more go,” he insisted.

“Just need a bit o’ practice,” the vendor said sagely, all too happy to take Brian’s money.

But before he could hand it over, a hand reached out past my shoulder.

“I’ll give it a shot,” Tommy said casually, his American drawl standing out against the thick Irish accents around us.

Brian turned sharply, glaring at the shopkeeper as he handed over the rings.“Let’s see what the Yank can do.”

Tommy ignored us as he weighed one of the rings in his right hand.He looked confident, as if he’d been playing the game his whole life, then casually flicked his wrist.

I watched as the ring sailed through the air, twirling end over end until it landed on the highest-scoring peg without even a rattle.

A perfect shot.

The vendor whistled, grinning as he plucked down the horse Brian had pointed to earlier.“Well done, lad.”

Tommy took it, turning to me with an easy smirk.“For the prettiest girl in Ireland.”

My breath caught.

Brian’s fists clenched at his sides.“Who the hell are ye?”

Tommy didn’t even look at him.His attention fixed solely on me as he handed me the prize.I took it, my fingers digging into the plush fur, and I knew I’d hold on to it tonight when I went to sleep.Then, without another word, Tommy turned and strolled away, disappearing back into the festival crowd.

I held the stuffed horse against my chest, my heart thudding.

Brian exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his jaw.“Do ye know him?”

I turned his way.“Yes.”

His eyes darkened when I didn’t give any further explanation.“Not appropriate to take gifts from another man when ye’re with me, Fiona.Give it to someone else.”

I clutched it tighter.“No.”

Brian’s nostrils flared.“Fi—”

I wasn’t listening.My head swiveled, scanning the crowd where Tommy had disappeared, and something snapped inside me.

I couldn’t do this anymore.

Not to myself.

Certainly not to Tommy.

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