The Next Best Thing: Part II

Twenty-Two

I saw and heard of a lot of Eoin the next couple of days he spent in the city. He didn't really give me a reason why he was there, not that I bothered to ask or even cared for the answer anyway. I was beginning to enjoy a whole lot of his company and just being with him in general.

He called me that night he visited me, just to check on me he said. The curt get well soon call quickly turned into an hour of light, fun conversation which Min interrupted on the pretext of me needing rest.

"Get some sleep and I'll try you to show you a good time tomorrow."

"I look forward to it," I responded, an eyebrow raising Min watching my every move.

"He really likes you a lot, doesn't he?" she asked, tucking me in.

"Yes, Mom. Thanks for the approval."

I was finally allowed to leave the house on Sunday, after Min and Rae's interrogation and research into Eoin's past. They were looking out for me - suddenly I was susceptible to attack. He checked out, thank goodness, and after a lengthy phone call with Joss, Min let him take me out for a late lunch.

He took me to a bistro in downtown New York I'd never heard of before owned by an old Irish couple, his former neighbours and adoptive family. "I literally grew up in their kitchen, eating everything and anything Mrs. Connery would cook for me," he explained.

We were shown to an intimate table for two in the middle of the restaurant, surrounded by kind looking people who spoke an interesting dialect I knew only to be Irish. It was exciting being among the few who knew nothing that was being said, only enjoying the muted familial atmosphere.

Some people recognised Eoin and asked to take pictures with him, from the elderly asking after his sister to pretty girls about my age falling over themselves, gushing about his sexy bachelor status.

"I take it you get this a lot," I commented. The girls eventually left our table, lapping up all of his kindness and flirtatious nature.

"Most of the time they want to know how Im is. They don't really care about me," he joked. "You get used to it. The other thing is knowing how to avoid it."

He introduced me to the Connerys, a lovely couple with the cutest connection; they finished each others' sentences. Mr. Connery still couldn't seem to keep his eyes off of his blushing bride after decades of wedded bliss. "I can't wait to look at you like that," Eoin breathed into my ear.

I caught him staring at the adorable couples we were seated in the midst of; he longed for that kind of relationship which he probably had never had. It was the kind we all waited patiently our whole lives for, and he especially itched to memorialise these moments. These were the moments he looked forward to in his future, a future drawing nearer than anticipated.

"He's found his muse, my darling. You already bring out the hopeless romantic artist in him. But apparently this is only your first date," winked Mrs. Connery. I was flattered but I didn't think that was the case. "You'll see," she said when I objected, kissing me a warm goodbye.

We visited Central Park next, a chilly breeze sweeping over the city accompanied by a clear evening sky. It had rained earlier - the ground was damp and muddy, making it really hard for me to enjoy trudging blindly in the cold.

This wasn't the most conventional "date" I'd look forward to; although, our relationship wasn't the most conventional either. That's why we were so drawn to each other.

He watched in amusement as I dodged the puddles, dirty runoff water that would only serve to ruin my favourite suede boots. "I'm starting to think that this wasn't such a good idea," I complained, pulling my trench coat closer to my chest.

He shrugged and brushed me off, dismissing me with an amused laugh. I found something else to complain about, eager to get out of the cold and craving a very hot beverage to appease my mood.

He just took my hand into his and I was dragged against my will, across the park to a large tent I hadn't yet noticed, occupied by an intimate gathering of people impeccably dressed despite the sweater weather.

A local, up and coming band was performing romantic folk music on a wooden platform. The beautiful guests were seated around well lit tables scattered with mason jar vases and adorned with vintage place cards. This was a wedding we had just crashed, I realised. "This is a wedding we just crashed!" I shrieked in the smallest whisper I could muster.

"We just crashed a wedding, Zoe," he agreed with a silly smirk. "Now c'mon, we have to mingle like we at least belong here. People are starting to stare, and it's not because they know me."

Only because he was Eoin, I didn't find the need to ask him why he crashed people's parties - I couldn't care less. Eoin was always pretty relaxed about everything.

He led me to the furthest and most vacant table with a determined look on his face, pulling a chair for me with a romantic smile.
The place card in front of us read Mr. and Mrs. Jared Franklin; assuming the identity of the husband, Eoin introduced himself and apologised for his tardiness.

"Suddenly I can't seem to leave the house, she's so beautiful," he gushed, kissing my cheek.

I blushed shyly and looked down, embarrassed and confused as to what was going on.

"Marriage does that to you," a fresh faced guy replied squeezing his wife's hand, who in turn added, "He just can't get enough of me."

Eoin got into marital conversation with the warm strangers and soon enough the table was laughing at his jokes, enjoying his company. I would smile politely and engage in small talk with the people sat closest to me.

I was amazed at how comfortable he was among these people we hardly knew, pretending we were married and obsessed with each other. He held my hand the entire time, making sure not to touch me unnecessarily.

As we had arrived before the dessert course was served, one of the waitresses assigned to our table came to take our food order.

"Can we leave now?" Eoin subtly whispered in my ear. "And just pretend I'm telling you how I can't wait to spend another amazing married night with you. Sweet nothings you would say."

I ran my fingers through his hair and smiled affectionately at him. "Thank you for the great company but we have to get back to our daughter."

"It's our first date night since she was born and my baby here doesn't trust the nanny," he explained, grabbing hold of my hand.

We exchanged a few more pleasantries before exiting the way we entered and making a run for it. He was holding my hand still, dragging me across the walkways back to his car.

"Are you going to let go of my hand now?" I asked eventually.

"Do you want me to?" he answered with an adorable smirk.

"Do you want to?" I really didn't but I couldn't let him know that.

I shrugged nonchalantly and let it go. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him smiling at me with amusement playing in his eyes and I couldn't help feel warm inside.