Page 41 of Hot Irish Halloween

“Youare being very dramatic,” Clarissa drawled as if bored, but her green eyes were sharp, and there was a nervous twitch in her left cheek.

“Youhave not begun to see what dramatic looks like. Please believe me when I say that if I see you or your pimp aaanywhere near my husband again — if either of you call him or contact him with any more of your nonsense — neither one of you are gonna like what comes next.” Then Penny smiled at her sweetly and adjusted her purse on her arm. “Okay, that’s all I had to say. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

Jack gave Clarissa the peace sign and followed Penny to the car.

“He always gets what he wants, darlings. One way or another. Trust me, I know,” Clarissa called, leaning against the ancient wood with crossed arms.

“Ooh. Ihatepeople who always have to have the last word,” Penny grumbled to Jack with balled-up fists.

“Penny!” It was Serena again, coming over to kiss and hug Penny right as the valet was holding her door open. “It was so good to meet you, girl. When are we gonna get together again?”

Penny hugged her back. “One of these days, maybe? Have a safe trip back home.”

“What about you? Are you comin’ back to the States anytime soon? I’d love to have you and your husband come see me in L.A. Don’t worry, it’s not forthat. I’m not hard-headed like our hostess. She was never taught the word ‘no,’ but she’s not all terrible.” Serena rolled her eyes in Clarissa’s direction, but her smile at the woman was soft.

“She’s willing to do the bidding of her terrible husband. I don’t know what that says about her, but it ain’t good,” Penny remarked.

Serena’s laugh was airy, like the wave of her hand. “Anyway, please come see me. Like I was saying, don’t worry about me trying to get anybody’s clothes off. After y’all ran out last night, I figured you don’t get down like that. It’ll just be a fun time. Or you can fly out on your own, and we’ll have a girls’ weekend,” Serena said with sincerity.

Penny glanced at Jack, who shoved his hands in his pockets. He also seemed to be waiting for her answer about her plans.

She said, “I’ll let you know.”

14

IF THIS IS LOVE

JACK

The trip back to Dublin was so different from the journey to the FitzGerald’s. On the first ride, they’d been uncomfortable and talking that “just friends” fantasy shite. Jack almost didn’t believe that twenty-four hours later, all of it had changed. After the night they’d had, with all the inhibitions stripped away, where they were now was exactly where Jack had wanted to be since he’d seen Penny on that video. They were holding hands, laughing about their adventures and the more ridiculous things they’d seen at the castle.

Jack was still touched at how she stood up for him with Clarissa. Aside from the tough ladies in his family, no woman had ever held her ground in his corner so fiercely. He was used to handling squabbles with his fists, but her purely verbal takedown had been so elegant, so smooth, he could only marvel at it.

“I loved your lines. And the look on her face,” he said. “Whatareyou gonna do to them if they don’t leave us alone?”

“Shit, I’on know. I was just saying stuff that I thought sounded cool.” They laughed. “What’s even funnier to me right now is the fact that you brought me out here thinking a wife would stop her from hitting on you.Thatwas one cockblock gone terribly wrong.”

Jack glanced at her, groaning. “Not that again.”

“I’m just playing. I’m happy to block your cock from both of them. So…” she drawled, giving him that gorgeous mischievous grin. “Our big event is over. I’m heading to Athboy in the morning.”

“Púca,” Jack said, remembering her festival.

“Yup. Púca, Púca.” She pushed her finger in his cheek as though trying to create a dimple there. “I know you’ve already been away from the gym for two days. Would Charlie be angry if you wanted to take the rest of the weekend? Only if you’re otherwise free. If you want to go. It might not be your scene.”

Jack chuckled. She was so fucking cute. He tried to quell the excitement at her asking him to extend their time together.

“After last night, I’m discovering a lot of thingsaremy scene,” Jack responded wryly. “As long as they don’t put horns on me.”

Penny shook her head. “No horns. I promise. Although they did make you look hot. We should’ve brought a pair home.” She sank back into her seat and hummed to the music he’d chosen with a grin on her face.

Jack’s heart probably swelled to twice its size. Then a thought occurred to him, and he swore softly. “Dammit. I forgot about Trixie. I only had her boarded for one night. I could call and see if I can get an extension.”

Penny considered that. “Maybe one more night. I don’t need to be there the whole weekend.”

“You sure? Don’t you need more interviews to finish your book?”

“I didn’t have anything formal set up. My plan was to wander around and drop into whatever drum circle would have me,” she said, and he laughed again.

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