Page 133 of The Secret We Keep
Grumbling, I take a minute, before my limbs turn to lead.
He reaches out a hand and hooks me under my arm again. “There.” Waiting until I can stand straight, he lets go of me.
I don’t say a word, wondering if what I’ve already said makes any sense to him.
“I know you’re fine without me, but I’m not going anywhere.” My eyes stay fixed on Paddy, watching as he steps closer.
“Who was the lady you met with?” I ask with caution, bracing myself for his answer.
“Jake’s wife, Catherine. She’s a psychologist,” he comes right out and says before adding, “She met with me to talk about the accident.”
My mouth drops open with relief and shock. “Paddy that’s… What did she say?”
His brows narrow before ironing out again. “That it wasn’t my fault.”
I manage to nod, knowing it wasn’t from everything he’s told me.
“We spoke about how I’ve overcome the tragedy, and she’s given me some useful pointers on how to live with what happened.”
“Paddy, that’s so good. I’m so pleased for you,” I say, yawning rudely. “I’m sorry.”
Closing the small gap, Paddy relents and smiles at me. “Come on. We need to get you into bed.”
“I already tried getting you into bed, remember?”
“Good one, curly fries,” he jokes sarcastically, picking me up again. “I mean in your bed.Alone. Where you can sleep off the Sambuca.”
I shudder. “I’m never drinking again. Especially with your father.”
Paddy chuckles, and after a few strides, I look up at him.
“Seriously, Paddy, I’m pleased you talked to someone about what’s been troubling you. I’m sorry I thought something was going on between you and Jake’s wife.”
He keeps his gaze focused on where he’s walking under the darkness of night. “Thanks. But it hurts you know.”
“What does?” I whisper, feeling sleep taking over.
“That you think I would see another woman then ask you to be mine. After all the time we’ve spent together recently, you think I would do that to you?”
My muscles tighten, my cheeks heat. But I manage a smile. “You saw my boobs. Your night wasn’t all bad.”
“No,” he laughs, admittedly sounding a little pained. “But you wanted to have sex with me, thinking that I was seeing someone else. You’re worth so much more than that, Morgan.”
My gaze drops, and my heart constricts painfully tight. “Having one part of you is better than having none of you.”
I feel his fingers dig into my skin. “You have all of me, curly fries. You really do.”
Our eyes lock. “Is there a but?”
“Butwe need to go slow. We’re not rushing this,” his head bobs to and fro between us, “alright? You mean too damn much to me, I won’t fuck this up.”
“Okay, Paddy O’Keefe.” I smile feeling satisfied, resting my head against his warm chest and letting my eyes close. “Whatever you say.”
Paddy: Are you sober yet? It’s been eighteen hours. I’m beginning to worry
I wonder if this is what death feels like?
Paddy: Drama queen
