Page 70 of Taming Irish

Chapter 19

Makena

For the firsttime in almost three weeks, I wake up alone in bed. I heard Shane sneak out before the sun had risen. He’ll be gone a few days. Headed back to Dublin with Owen and Bree to deal with some issue with the recordinglabel.

He’d asked me to go with him, and I’d thought about it. I still haven’t seen much of Ireland, and I’ve been here for close to a month now. But we’ve been spending so much time together that I think it’s best we put a bit of space between us, even if it’s just for a fewdays.

“You need to get out,” Quinn says when I answer her Facetime call. “Use Colleen’s car and go explore the country. You’ll be home soonenough.”

A sliver of anxiety races through me at her words. Six months had seemed like an unsurmountable amount of time when I first got here, but now it just isn’t long enough. And it’s not just Shane who I’m going to miss when I’m gone. Emer, Delaney, and Bree have made it their mission to include me in every family activity and dinner they have. They’ve become easy friends. Even Agnus, while always quick to give her opinion, has grown onme.

But this isn’treality.

At least, notmine.

“I have been getting out,” I tell Quinn, who arches a brow at me and purses her lips through the screen. “In fact, Emer is picking me up in a few minutes and we’re going shopping inSligo.”

“Emer?”

“Shane’s sister. I told you abouther.”

“You’re spending time with his family,now?”

“They’re goodpeople.”

“I don’t doubt that.” She frowns, but I can tell she’s holdingback.

“What?”

“I just worry about you. I don’t want to see you getting involved with anotherChad.”

“Shane is nothing like Chad.” The words aredefensive.

She sighs. “You’ve fallen forhim.”

“No.”Yes. Harder than I want toadmit.

“Just be careful. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but he’s still…ShaneHayes.”

Even the mention of his name makes butterflies dance in mystomach.

“And you think someone like him could never fall for someone likeme?”

“Makena Fraser,” Quinn says, narrowing her eyes at me. “Any man in this world would be lucky to have you. But you know better than anyone that men like him are never satisfied. They always want more. I just don’t want to see you have your heart brokenagain.”

“It won’t.” Even I don’t believeme.

Not long after I end the call with Quinn, there’s a knock on the door, and Emer comes barreling into the cottage, a huge grin on her face. “Pack an overnight bag, I am officially baby free for forty-eighthours.”

Her enthusiasm is contagious, even though I have no idea what she hasplanned.

“An overnightbag?”

“Shane is gone. Aiden is watching Cadence. And I just booked a suite at the Shelbourne in Dublin, and a full day of spa treatments. And ye’re going with me.” Emer doesn’t wait for my reaction, she just starts toward the bedroom, and I have no doubt she’ll have my bag packed in two minutes if I don’t stopher.

“I’d love to, but…” I chew on my bottom lip when I watch her open the closet door and pull out my carry-on luggage, before admitting, “I really can’t affordthat.”

“It’s my treat.” She gives me a grin that reminds me of Shane, and says, “And ye’ll be doing me a favor. Delaney is due any day now, Bree is busy with her album, and I really don’t want to go alone. I can show ye around Dublin if ye’d like, and we can go to the BrazenHead.”

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