Page 74 of Harbor Lights

Shiv nodded, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Hey, I’ll be back later. Tierney’s made me promise I’ll come to whatever event she’s got planned for tonight.” She paused, then followed her heart, not the brain that thought it knew better. “Perhaps I could stay here, again. You can take advantage of the fire, and I’ll bunk up in the bedroom.”

Shiv’s head bobbed more enthusiastically. “Yeah, saves any unnecessary journeys if the weather turns bad.”

Something cracked in Con as she looked at Shiv’s hopeful face. What were they doing skirting around the obvious? It was exhausting.

She flopped down on the couch and faced Shiv. “This isn’t about the weather forecast, Siobhán.” She squeezed the bridge of her nose. “I want more than friendship, and I think you do, too.” There, it was out there.

Shiv’s mouth gaped for a moment. “But you said?—”

“I lied. Because I was afraid, and because it’s complicated. We want different things, you and me. But I’m sick of being scared. I want to explore this connection we have. I want to get to know you. All of you.” It was surprising how easily it all came out once she started.

Shiv continued to stare. She gulped a couple of times, then shuffled up the couch, still swathed in her blankets. “Can I kiss you?”

It was oh, so, tempting, but it wouldn’t be just one kiss. Not after all the holding back. And Shiv had nearly drowned less than twenty-four hours ago. Plus, Con was really feeling the effects of her sleepless night. Her head was banging, and her eyes were gritty. She wanted a few hours’ sleep before they had what felt like one of the most important conversations of her life.

She took Shiv’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “Stay warm and get some rest. We’ll talk when I get back later, okay?”

Shiv nodded, but her gaze remained glued to Con’s face, as if searching for a clue as to what she was thinking.

“I’m sorry that came out of nowhere. I’ll be back soon.”

Con gathered her belongings and waved awkwardly as she left.

Shiv watched from her pile of throws. “Thank you again for last night. There’s no one I’d trust more to look after me.”

Con’s head was still spinning when she stood on the deck of the ferry, watching the mainland approaching. Had she done the right thing telling Shiv how she felt? The admission had made her desperate to escape, to think it through. It didn’t matter now; the truth was out and there was no going back.

She needed some sleep and a long bath. Then she’d be ready to talk to Shiv about what they both wanted. Above the swirl of uncertainty in her gut rose a cloud of heady anticipation. Everything between them had just shifted and she wanted to see where it led.

TWENTY-FOUR

“Areyou sure you’re allowed to help out?”

Shiv rolled her eyes at Tierney as they lifted a table in the Waterside’s spacious restaurant. “I’m good. I got a few more hours’ sleep, and the chill has gone. Con was happy enough with my recovery to go home.”

She wasn’t good. Her head was all over the place, and she still had a nagging sense of panic, but she could handle moving a few chairs. Con’s declaration had blown her mind. Could they find a way to be together? Did people like Con really get together with the likes of Shiv?

“Hullo. Am I talking to myself here?”

Shiv lowered her end of the table. “What?” She blinked at Tierney. She hadn’t a clue what she’d been saying.

“I said it sounds strange, you calling her Con. Did she ask you to?”

“You’ve known her a lot longer than I have. Did you never ask what name she prefers?”

“Uh. It’s just how it’s always been.” Tierney shrugged, and her brow creased. “I remember when I was a kid and she first started working with her dad, who was Granny’s doctor. He was Doctor Scott, and she was Young Doc Scott. It was always what she was called.”

“But she’s your friend. You don’t call Joey ‘Fisher’. Perhaps you should ask what name she’d like you to use.”

Tierney nodded sincerely. “I will.”

They moved the rest of the tables into a more informal arrangement in front of the small stage set up in front of the windows.

“I’m so excited. I love our karaoke nights in the summer season.” Tierney jumped onto the stage and plugged in several pieces of equipment. “We have a live band and it’s the most popular night on the island.”

“Is there a band tonight?” Shiv continued rearranging chairs while Tierney set up the equipment.

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