Page 32 of The Secret We Keep
He grins, making my heart squeeze. “He looks happy now.” Paddy’s gaze is absorbing. Everything about him is perfect. “Does this mean you’re going to walk him?”
My eyes widen, and I look Siobhan’s way. The last thing I want is her thinking I’m making a move to keep her beloved pet. “Oh, no. I was just trying to help when he wouldn’t settle.”
“Patrick, that’s a wonderful idea.” She carefully takes Kevin from my arms, and as if he can tell I’m no longer holding him, Kevin starts whining, being prematurely woken. “That settles it. Morgan, forget the office job. Next week, I want you to come and help me with Kevin. I’ll make sure you’re not out of pocket.”
“But I don’t know the first thing about dogs,” I plead.
Neither Paddy nor Siobhan appear to give two shits about my lack of puppy knowledge. I can just tell Paddy is satisfied with himself for putting me in this situation against my will.
He beams a wider smile, never once breaking our eye contact. “Don’t look so worried, curly fries. This is a good thing.”
I clear my throat. “For who?” My words shake when I speak. I know how I felt when it was just me and Siobhan sitting here and I was holding Kevin. Now Paddy’s here, my skin feels prickly and hot.
He nods, appearing to take his time and thinking carefully before he answers. “For everyone.”
My insides flip like they did whenever he appeared to notice me over the years.
“He’s right, dear. I need the help, and Kevin clearly likes you more than anyone. You’d be a real lifesaver by helping me.”
Within seconds, my anxiety is back, pushing my heart against my ribs, the loud pulse of it banging like a drum in my ears.
Siobhan’s face drops. “I don’t want to put any pressure on you, Morgan. I’m so sorry. Of course, if this sounds too much, please, just say, and I’ll get Paddy to help.”
Paddy quickly starts at his mother. “I’m not the puppy whisperer.” He hoicks a thumb over his shoulder. “That’s her.”
“Paddy,” I begin, but my legs begin to shake.
“Ignore us, dear. I’m sorry for suggesting it.”
Paddy’s arm comes out and wraps around Siobhan’s shoulder protectively. “Come on, Mum. We can look at finding a new home for him.”
“What?” she squeals, but Paddy turns her away from me before she can say anything else.
“It was nice seeing you again, Morgan,” Paddy says, a smirk tucked behind my name.
Paddy is fast becoming the biggest pain in my arse. He can’t just come back here again, twice in quick succession, and think he can make me feel bad for not agreeing to help his family with their puppy issue. That’s completely unfair and not my fault.
Out of frustration, I reach down and grab my bag, dumping it on the iron table a little too harshly, making it screech against the ground as it shifts from the force.
For a split second, I consider letting them walk away with the only thing that I’ve enjoyed for myself since I can remember.
“Wait.”
Paddy and his mum both turn around. Kevin’s head raised and looking my way.
The smile that breaks on Siobhan’s face is like nothing I’ve seen before. The one on Paddy’s, however, I’ve seen many times as a kid.
He thinks he’s won.
“You forgot this.”
“Ah,” Siobhan shouts, looking between me and Paddy once she’s broken out from under Paddy’s arm.
I hold out Kevin’s lead.
“Thank you, dear. Be needing that very soon, I suppose.” She lingers, and I can just tell she’s waiting for me to offer to help.
I want to.
