Page 58 of Hot Irish Halloween

When Jack had reminded her that he’d made the offer to come by the gym, she’d been reluctant to go at first. Penny had been imagining a place full of screaming, sweaty men, and streaming blood. She was afraid of the memories that would bring up. But her doctor had encouraged her to start doing some exercise to get her body somewhat toned for the rigors of birthing, so she decided to give it a try.

Jack’s gym wasn’t what she had been imagining. Well, except for the sweat. She really enjoyed seeing Jack in his element. He was a tough but patient coach, and the students clearly respected him. They weren’t merely starry-eyed fans; they listened to him, trusted his guidance. There was laughter and camaraderie, learning, and a sense of accomplishment at mastering a strikeor a throw or any technique. When the sparring got rough, and tempers rose, Jack would calm everybody down and make them shake hands before class was done. And best of all, there was always music playing, usually from Jack’s curated playlist that got everyone in the zone. She always left in a better mood than when she showed up.

In the afternoon, she took off for her solo people-watching session at the café. She loved seeing that cute couple as she drank her decaf coffee by the window, knowing she’d be going home to her own man. Imagining her and Jack talking and strolling with their own little one brought her a deep thrill.

That night, she was going to do the cooking. Her plan was to flip through his recipe book and come up with something, maybe Italian, because it was quick, but more importantly, hard for her to screw up. Jack would probably be on the couch in those fucking sexy spectacles with a book in his hand. He had a terrible habit of folding paperbacks backward to hold them open with one big hand while his giant feet were propped up on the coffee table. She’d complain about his book desecration, and he’d tease her. And afterward, there’d be so much loving.

Sometimes, it was really hard to believe this was now her life.

She left the café on her way back home to give Trixie an afternoon walk when a harsh wind picked up. Tightening her coat around her throat, Penny braved the wind, bowed her head, and walked into it. The hat she’d made offered some protection, but the wind grew fiercer, pushing her off course. Thank goodness home wasn’t far off.

“Come on, Trixie. We need to make this quick, girl,” Penny urged.

Trixie wasn’t a fan of the wind, her little body shivering while she did her business, then eagerly turned back toward the house.

They were heading to the front door when a bright flash of color pulled Penny’s eyes to the ground. There was somethingon the front step. She bent and peered closer while Trixie barked at the thing. It was a tiny bird, a robin, with its small brown eye looking up at her and its orange breast rising and falling, then stopping.

“Oh. Poor thing. She must have hit the door. Leave her alone, Trixie.”

She didn’t have to tell the cockapoo twice. Trixie whined and shied away from the little feathered creature. Indecisive, Penny didn’t want to leave the bird on the step but had to get Trixie out of the cold.

“Alright, let me get you inside first, and then I’ll deal with this.”

Penny opened the front door to let Trixie in, stepping around the bird gingerly. To her shock, the second the door was open, the robin revived herself and flew into the house.

“What the fuck?” She and Trixie raced inside. The bird was fluttering wildly in the foyer, then the living room, flying high to the ceiling out of reach. Penny gazed up at it with disbelief. “You better not poop on anything!”

Finding the broom in the kitchen, Penny returned to the living room, waving the broom in the bird’s direction. She didn’t want to hurt her, just convince her to leave. Finally, the robin chirped, then flew back the way she’d come in, exiting through the open door. Penny laughed with relief. Trixie stood wagging her tail and barking at the door, then turned around in an anxious circle.

And suddenly, the skin on Penny’s arms chilled and tightened, despite the warmth of her coat and sweater.

Nothing lasts.

That thought came out of nowhere and stiffened Penny’s back. Something didn’t feel right.

Then she chided herself. Naturally, a bird flying into the house would freak anybody out. Maybe it was the dreams she’d been having. Maybe, for the first time in forever, she was actuallyhappy, and her inner anxiety muppet was looking for reasons to be nervous. Or at least, that’s what Jade would tell her.

She took off her coat and pulled out her phone. It was nine in the morning in New York. She was being selfish, but she’d risk pissing off Jade’s boss just for a moment of reassurance.

“Hey, girl,” Jade answered. She sounded off.

“Hey. What’s up? Are you okay?” Penny asked.

“I’m home sick from work. It’s pretty bad. You wanted to talk?” Jade coughed. The thick, wet sound that followed made Penny wince.

“You do sound pretty bad. I was just gonna chat, but you need your rest. I’ll check in on you later, okay?”

Jade didn’t argue. “Okay.” She hung up without the usual “love yous” or “good-byes.” She must really have been feeling awful.

Penny was deflated, that sensation that something wasn’t right only intensifying.

“I’m being stupid, aren’t I?” she asked Trixie, who looked at her solemnly. “Alright, if you think I should, I’m going to go check in on our Jack.”

Trixie barked, “Yes.”

With Trixie secured in her crate, Penny shrugged her coat back on and left the house. The walk to Jack’s gym took another fifteen minutes, but she already felt a bit better at the thought of seeing him. The prospect of burrowing into his arms for comfort and warmth made her pick up the pace. Across the quiet afternoon street, the sight of the old warehouse with the logo “Valentine MMA” instilled relief.

A rather fancy black town car was parked outside. Penny hadn’t met Jack’s agent yet, but she’d heard he had flashy tastes. Maybe this was him, finally dropping in to talk in person. Or maybe it was some other pro athlete or celeb that he’d met somewhere dropping in to say hello and take photos for their social media. Jack told her it happened occasionally.

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