Page 15 of One Night Only
“There you are!”
We all turn as an attractive older woman hurries over. She’s tiny, barely reaching my shoulder, with an elegant bob cut and an expensive-looking pink shawl draped around her shoulders.
“My mother,” Paul explains as she reaches us.
“I was wondering if you’d fallen asleep,” she chides, kissing Paul on the cheek before her warm gaze turns to me. “You must be Sarah. Annie’s told me so much about you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Murphy.”
“Mary, please.” She looks me up and down and then nods as if satisfied with what she sees. “You’ve met everyone?”
Paul shoots me an apologetic smile. “We only just arrived, Mam.”
“Then you need to get mingling,” she says. “Both you and Annie. I’m sure Declan can look after Sarah.”
Declan’s eyes flick toward me but Mary continues before either of us can respond.
“It will be good for you to get to know each other. I’ve sat you two together for dinner so you can talk.”
Annie frowns. “I thought I put Sarah with me.”
“I made some seating adjustments,” Mary says with a dismissive hand. “Just for tonight.”
Paul shakes his head. “I think Sarah would be more comfortable if—”
“Nonsense,” she cries. “They’ll begrand, they have lots in common. They’re both in New York, they’re young, they’re single…” She trails off, the innocent look on her face fooling no one.
I realize what’s happening at the same time Declan does. I know this because he starts to laugh, a slightly hysterical sound that he immediately tries and fails to contain. Paul looks like he has a headache.
“I’m sorry,” Declan says, trying to turn it into a cough. “I’m just tired from the flight.”
Mary glares at him but before she can say anything more a bell rings for dinner and the rest of the guests start toward the restaurant. Mary grabs Declan’s arm without another word and tows him out of the room with Paul hot on their heels. Annie tries to follow but I snatch her hand, holding her to me.
“Annie?”
“Do you like your room?”
“My room is great. Is your future mother-in-law trying to set me up?”
“Of course not.”
“Annie!”
She gives up instantly. “Paul did mention she likes playing matchmaker. She’s not serious,” she adds at the look on my face. “At least I don’t think she is. And it’s not like Declan knew it was happening either.”
“That’s not the point!” My voice drops to a whisper as we enter the restaurant. It’s booked out for the party and beautifully decorated, but I barely notice it as I look across the room to where Declan sits, knocking back a glass of whiskey.
I can’t believe this is happening.
“You guys were supposed to be at my table,” Annie says, spotting him. She grows visibly worried and I try to push him to the back of my mind, refocusing on her.
“It will be fine,” I say. Annie. I am here for Annie. My own drama can wait. “We can cover more ground this way. I can talk you up to the wider family. Just…maybe ask Paul to say something to his mom? I don’t want her pushing this.”
“Of course,” Annie says, though she still looks a little nervous. Paul gestures her over to a table at the front. “I guess I’ll see you after dinner.”
“Tap your nose twice if you need me to come rescue you.”
She gives me a hopeful look. “At least you guys will have something to talk about.”
