The Next Best Thing: Part II

Thirty

Eoin was in the kitchen, a floral apron tied across his lean waist and his long sleeves rolled up to his elbows, chopping up some pancetta for a wild mushroom risotto.

I could hear Gaia in a phone conversation with the caterer for her party, finalising the details and making sure everything was in place. A glass of white wine was in her hand, seeming to have relaxed her whole demeanor.

She had swapped her high heeled sandals for nude coloured Uggs and what I assumed was one of Kian's hoodies was zipped up over her jean and light sweater ensemble. Her auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders, contrasting with her milky skin.

"What's your poison, Zoe?" Kian asked me from behind his bar station.

"I'll have whatever Gaia's drinking," I replied, walking over to Eoin.

He seemed hungry, determination creasing his forehead. His hair was up in a ponytail drawing focus onto his eyes, his eyes lighter the colder it became outside.

Seductive smells wafted through the warm air heated by the heating system and the many sweet smelling fires crackling all around the house.

"Hey, you," I greeted Eoin, taking a seat in the kitchen opposite where he stood. "That smells delicious."

"It sure does," Gaia acknowledged after ending her call. Her blue-green eyes smiled affectionately at her cousin. "I'm so glad you could come," she grinned at him.

She took a fork and dug in, savouring the beauty of the meal. "This is amazing, Eoin. Let's eat, shall we?"

"Great. I'm hungry!" Kian yelled, downing his beer.

We were encouraged to eat directly from the pan, dining around a circular table in the kitchen. Gaia had polished her silver and dishes for the party - it wasn't practical for her to do it again.

I learnt about the importance of this event for the Mackens. The party, occurring annually, had been ongoing for close to twenty years. Each member of the Macken family hosted it in appreciation of those helping raise funds for cancer research throughout the year.

"My mom died of breast cancer when I was two so my dad decided to dedicate his life to making sure no-one else suffered a similar fate," Gaia told. "This year's my turn, and let's just say it's not easy playing host for a large number of people."

"She's been sleeping on the couch for the past month and she's always too busy for me now," Kian pouted. "It's excruciating not kissing this sexy beast goodnight."

Gaia leaned in and kissed him sweetly, whispering a "You're welcome" onto his lips.

"He's a little obsessed with her, if you haven't gathered," Eoin said under his breath to me. Gaia nodded in agreement, all the while Kian's gaze on his girlfriend never faltered.

"Once, when I was a junior at high school, he managed to sneak into my dorm room just to prove a point to my idiot cousin over here that he wasn't afraid to approach me."

I muffled some laughter as the entire story was explained. "When she was five and we were about eleven, he told me he was going to marry her," Eoin added.

"I had asked for her hand the previous day and her father granted me permission," Kian laughed, cracking up at his brass boldness. "He thought I was joking and he probably still does."

"If we're being honest with each other, he'll never let you marry her," Eoin said, reaching out to pat his best friend's shoulder. Gaia rubbed his back in reassurance, telling that her dad loved Kian because he reminded her dad of her dad's young self.

"Don't listen to Eoin. You have nothing to worry about," she said with a wink. "Besides, you technically need permission from Eoin as well. And we both know he'd do anything for his best mate."

Kian refilled Gaia and I's wine glasses as we talked about myself and they asked me how Eoin and I met.

"So you two fell in love at first sight?" Gaia gushed, her eyes widened in romantic awe. "That's the cutest thing I've ever heard."

I saw the light in Eoin's eyes when she cooed over us and I couldn't take away what they both had over our nonexistent love. I knew what I felt for him but I couldn't equate it to a love. It wasn't even close.

But I did like him and I liked the idea of an us.

"She's all kinds of cute," he replied playfully, interlacing our fingers.

He ran his fingers through my hair and kissed my cheek, more like the corner of my mouth. Electric shocks pulsed through my body, sudden chills engulfing my body.

"She's beautiful."

I stared at him with a blush and he turned to face me. "You're beautiful, Zoe."

I didn't mind hearing him tell me this for the rest of the weekend because it felt great, what feelings his words ignited in the depths of my soul.

"I could sit and watch you two all night but I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow," Gaia said, before running upstairs with Kian. "Goodnight, you two."

I prepared for bed in the bathroom, changing into my pyjamas and brushing my hair. Eoin was in an old rugby jersey, already propped up in bed.

"I was waiting for you. Shall I blow out the fire or do you think you'll get cold?" he asked.

"If I get cold, I have you to cuddle up to," I replied. "We might as well play the part, babe," I winked.

I moved up to him on his side of the bed, taking his arm and placing it around my waist.

"This is the part where you kiss my forehead and say, 'Goodnight, my pretty peach'," I said up to his sitting frame.

"Goodnight, my pretty peach." He kissed my forehead and his warm lips lingered on my skin.