Recklessness

CH 3

The next morning, Brittany woke up to the sound of rain tapping gently on her hotel window, a reminder that she wasn’t back in LA. She blinked sleepily, the events of last night playing over in her mind. She’d only meant to take a few days off, to clear her head. But now… well, now it felt like leaving was the last thing she wanted.

She checked her phone and saw a message from Cian waiting for her.

> Hope you’re awake. I’ve got a surprise for you if you’re up for a little adventure.

Brittany smiled, feeling a flicker of excitement. She replied quickly and got ready, throwing on her warmest sweater and her scarf, hoping the rain would ease up by the time she met him. But as she stepped outside, the rain only seemed to come down harder, drenching the streets and giving the city a soft, misty glow. When she spotted Cian across the street, standing under a crooked umbrella and waving her over, she couldn’t help but laugh.

“So,” she said, walking up to him, “what’s this mysterious ‘adventure’ you’ve got planned?”

He grinned, holding the umbrella over her. “You’ll see soon enough. It’s a bit of a walk, though. Think you’re up for it?”

“As long as we don’t get hopelessly lost,” she joked.

“Ah, where’s the fun in that?” he teased, his eyes twinkling as they began their trek.

They wandered through Dublin’s narrow streets, Cian leading her away from the familiar landmarks and into neighborhoods with quieter, narrower alleyways and hidden murals painted onto crumbling brick walls. It wasn’t long before Brittany began to lose her bearings, the twisting lanes and cobblestone paths all blending together in a way that made her feel like she’d stepped back in time.

“So, where are we headed, exactly?” she asked after they’d been walking for a good fifteen minutes.

“Patience,” he replied, his grin widening. “We’re almost there.”

Finally, they stopped outside an unmarked door tucked between two brick buildings. Cian knocked twice, and after a moment, the door creaked open to reveal a tiny, dimly lit shop filled with shelves of books, jars of strange herbs, and paintings hanging crookedly on the walls. The air smelled faintly of incense, and a soft, haunting melody played in the background.

“This,” Cian said proudly, “is my favorite place in all of Dublin.”

Brittany’s eyes widened as she looked around. It was like stepping into a secret world, one that seemed untouched by time. The shop owner, a tiny elderly woman with wisps of silver hair, gave them a nod of greeting before returning to her book.

Cian gestured toward the shelves. “Go on, have a look around. It’s like a treasure hunt in here. You never know what you’ll find.”

Brittany wandered through the aisles, feeling the weight of the old books in her hands, each one filled with stories waiting to be uncovered. She picked up a dusty book with a dark, leather-bound cover, flipping through the pages and marveling at the delicate illustrations within.

“This is amazing,” she whispered, glancing over at Cian. “How did you even find this place?”

He shrugged, looking almost bashful. “Got lost one day, actually. Found it by accident and kept coming back.”

Brittany smiled, tucking the book under her arm. “I can see why. It feels like it’s straight out of a fairy tale.”

They spent the next hour exploring the shop, sharing stories about the strange books and odd trinkets they found. Brittany felt herself relaxing, forgetting about everything back home and getting lost in the magic of the place. Eventually, she noticed a small record player in the corner, and she couldn’t resist the urge to play something.

She flipped through the records until she found one with an old, scratched label. She placed it on the turntable, and a soft, jazzy tune began to play, filling the shop with a warmth that matched the candlelight. Without thinking, she turned to Cian, extending a hand toward him.

“Dance with me?” she asked, feeling bold.

He raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Oh, you’re serious?”

“Absolutely,” she replied, pulling him toward her.

They began to sway in the tiny, cluttered space, their movements slow and easy. Brittany felt her cheeks warm as she looked up at him, his gaze steady and warm. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her feel seen, like he was looking past the internet personality and straight to the core of who she was.

“You’re a terrible dancer, you know that?” he teased, his voice low.

“Speak for yourself,” she shot back, laughing as she accidentally stepped on his foot.

They continued dancing, lost in the music and each other’s laughter, until they eventually slowed to a stop, standing close in the soft glow of the shop. Brittany felt her heart pounding as she looked up at him, her pulse quickening with every second that passed.

Before she could overthink it, she leaned in and kissed him. It was soft, hesitant, but he responded instantly, his hand resting on her cheek, drawing her closer. The rest of the world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them, lost in a moment that felt like it had been waiting to happen all along.

When they finally pulled away, Cian looked at her with a soft smile. “Well, that was… unexpected,” he murmured, his eyes shining with something she couldn’t quite place.

Brittany laughed, feeling a rush of nerves and excitement all at once. “Unexpected? Or inevitable?”

“Bit of both, maybe,” he replied, taking her hand in his.

They left the shop a while later, the rain having eased to a soft drizzle. They walked in comfortable silence, her hand still in his, the city feeling warmer and brighter than it had when they first arrived.

“So,” she began, breaking the silence, “what does one do after finding the best secret spot in Dublin?”

Cian grinned. “Well, there’s always more to find, if you’re up for another adventure.”

Brittany squeezed his hand, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “I think I could get used to this.”