Page 14 of An Irish Summer

“Course,” he said, taking a long swig. “You’ve got an edge to ya. And that’s not to say I don’t like it.” Another sip. “And don’t even get me started on how you look.” He dragged his eyes over the length of my body, making no attempt to hide the desire behind his gaze.

On cue, Lars wandered over and refilled both pints. My mouth was a desert, and I was desperate for a little liquid courage. The one was no longer going to cut it, and I needed something to do with my mouth that wasn’t opening and closing it while searching for something to say.

“Make a deal with me,” he said suddenly when I failed to respond, no longer concerned about his initial question.

“And why would I do that?”

“Because you aren’t totally thick, and you might want to actually enjoy yourself this summer.”

I took another swig, staring him down. “Tell me what it is before I agree.”

“Let me show you the country,” he said. “Properly. I know you don’t seem to think Ireland is much of anything. But, if you’re willing to see it, I mean really see it, it’ll continue to surprise you. In all the best ways. Hell, it still surprises me, and I’ve lived on the west coast my entire life.” His voice changed when he talked about the country and I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why, but it made me nostalgic.

“So, what?” I asked. “Like a day trip, see the sights, hit all the highlights, come back here?”

His laugh was low, and it rumbled through me like distant thunder. “One day is hardly going to cut it, and the highlights aren’t what you think they are. We’ll take our time. See it little by little. We have the whole summer, after all. And by the end, I guarantee you won’t want to leave.”

The daunting length of the season stretched out before me. Whereas I’d previously been hoping it would pass in the blink of an eye, I was beginning to realize it would do the opposite. That’s how time seemed to work here.

“I’m not so sure about that last part,” I said, confident in at least that much. There was no chance I didn’t go right back to Boston as soon as I had the opportunity.

“I’m just asking you to trust me,” he said. “That’s all. And to give Ireland a chance. I promise, she’ll be good to you.”

I was stuck here anyway, until I could find a way to get myself out. Trying to enjoy it might not be the worst thing. It didn’t mean I’d stop actively trying to leave, but it might lower my cortisol levels a little, which definitely wouldn’t hurt. Besides, even I wasn’t stubborn enough to deny a proposal like that, from a man who looked like this.

“And you’re sure this isn’t just a chance to get more business as a tour guide? Boost your reviews, make a few tips? Surely, there’s something in it for you.” I couldn’t resist one last opportunity to rib him and I was missing the levity that had disappeared from this conversation.

“It’s on the house.” He smiled. “Staff get to use all the amenities the Wanderer has to offer, for free. The only thing in it for me is the joy of sharing my love for this country. And the fact that I’ll get to prove you wrong, of course.”

“We’ll see about that.” By this point in the conversation, we were wearing matching smirks, and I hoped Lars wasn’t listening.

“Whatever you’re worried about, Chelsea, let it go. I’ve got you.” To him, it may have been a throwaway comment, but to me, it was a rock at the base of my throat. A warm current just under my skin. Three words so unexpectedly intimate all I could do was nod.

“So, do we have ourselves a deal?” He extended his hand, and I narrowed my eyes before I shook it. “Say yes, Chelsea,” he said, dropping his volume so only I could hear. The depth of his voice vibrated in the space between us, and even if I hadn’t planned on agreeing before, those words might have been able to change my mind.

“We do.”

He beamed, and it was almost impossible not to do the same. Whatever it was about him that got under my skin the way it did should have been a warning sign. A waving red flag, a blaring alarm, something that sent me running in the opposite direction. Instead, it was pulling me in headfirst.

Our handshake lingered just long enough for the heat of his hand to make its way through my body, and I hadn’t the slightest clue what I’d just gotten myself into.

Chapter 6

A pounding headache woke me just before the sun and I scrambled in my nightstand drawer for ibuprofen. I tried to give it time to kick in, tossing, turning, and hoping to fall asleep again, but it became hopeless as the sun crept higher into the sky.

Before I got out of bed, I let my eyes roam around the room. My denim jacket already hung over the back of the desk chair, my journal and an expensive candle were arranged in the windowsill, and a pair of New Balance sneakers sat near the door. Everything else had already found a home, despite the size of the room: toiletries arranged carefully in a caddy, clothes folded and hung neatly in the wardrobe, essential oils and lip masks and melatonin tucked into the drawer in the nightstand.

When I managed to pull myself out of bed, I changed into leggings and a windbreaker, plaited my hair into two French braids, and slipped out of my room undetected. The fresh air of a morning walk would surely help the hangover, and I had time to kill before I had to be at the reception desk.

Outside the hostel, Galway was silent, save for the gentle sounds of nature before humans were awake to muffle them. A grassy field stretched behind the Wanderer and curled arounda pond I hadn’t noticed until now, and I felt it pulling me into its orbit. I followed my feet as they dragged through the damp grass, carrying me down a makeshift trail. Careful not to walk too far, I noted landmarks as I went. A small shed, a lopsided bench, the remnants of a vegetable garden.

“I didn’t expect to see you out here so early.” A rumbling voice cut through the silence. I whipped around, both relieved and startled to see the voice belonged to Collin.

“And I didn’t expect anyone to give me a heart attack so early, so I guess we’re both surprised,” I said. He chuckled, and it echoed over the water.

“What brings you out at this hour?” he asked, turning his wrist over to look at his watch.

“A woman can’t just get up early and go for a walk?”

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