Who's Your Paddy?

Chapter 33

While taking the second shower of the day I realized just how quickly my life and everything in it was changing. It wasn't a nostalgic realization, it thrilled me. I didn't care if my man was someone famous, it didn't define him. Nothing from that part of his life: the fame, the money, or even the crappy situation we found ourselves in, could alter who we were becoming as a couple.

I had a fleeting thought of calling Lindsey to tell her everything and share the news of our moving in together, but as I began scripting the call in my head, I got careless with the soap and it got into my stitches. The sting was enough to make me forget all about my sister.

Louis arrived to pick us up just before seven. Lucky for us, he was a little late because I'd just finished dressing after the shower. Liam and I got caught up in a second fit of lust after getting back to the house from our soggy trek. He wanted to work on perfecting the new lean-to technique.

I didn't complain.

Our first stop was to drop Liam off at his mother's house. He decided having dinner and spending some quality time with family was the next best thing to accompanying us.

"Don't think I've ever seen 'em this happy," Louis said, as we backed out of his mother's driveway. "Or this worried."

"I know, he's been through a lot. The last thing I want is to add to that."

"I think yer daft to do this, but I'd be lyin if I didn't admit that it impresses the hell outta me at the same time."

"I only hope he feels the same way."

"So. What's the plan?" he asked.

"Basically, just be there for me in case he gets nasty or anything. I doubt he will though."

"Want me ta say or do anythin' special?"

"Just one thing."

When we entered the back room of Nancy Hand's Pub, I had a moment of panic, followed by some quiet laughter. Ryan, the reporter, was already seated and hovering over a pint at a small table in the center of the room. I easily recognized him from the picture on his byline.

Seated at most of the other tables were a bunch of friendly faces. Thankfully, they all ignored us when we entered. Liam's friends Ben and Jen were at one table, his cop friend Ian was at a second one and Michelle, along with her fiancé' Brian, were at a third.

"I'm guessing Liam set this up," I whispered to Louis as we reached Ryan's table.

Louis smirked at me and extended his hand to Ryan. "How'ya."

"Thought we'd be alone," Ryan said to me.

"Want me ta bugger off to the bar?" Louis directed at me.

"That's not necessary. Ryan, you know who he his, this shouldn't be a surprise."

Ryan leaned back in his seat and shrugged. "Whatever. Do what ye like."

"What I'd like," I said, taking a seat at the table. "Is for this to be a friendly agreement. Ya know, one reporter to another."

"Nothin' friendly 'bout what yer doin'."

I pointed to my wound. "Oh and this was?"

"Was inadvertent an' ye know it."

"Maybe so, but filing charges just to get information about me was a weasel move."

He rolled his eyes, and lit a cigarette. I noted a small tremor in his hands as he did it. He took a long draw and exhaled before speaking. "Ye gonna cry now?"