Chapter Twenty

Eamon

It's well past midnight when I wake up to find that, at some point, Norah and I shifted positions. My legs are outstretched with my head resting on the arm of the sofa. Norah is wedged between my body and the back cushions, her slender arm draped over my stomach and her head on my chest. One of my arms is wrapped around her while the other is tucked behind my head. I don't remember how or when we got here, but I'm not upset about it. I watch her for a few minutes, slowly running my fingers over her hair. I'm always aware of how beautiful she is, but seeing her asleep on my chest takes my breath away. Her delicate features soften while she sleeps, the tension melting away and making her appear angelic and peaceful. I shift carefully out from under her so that I don't wake her.

"Eamon?" she murmurs, just as I start scribbling her a note. I turn to see her sitting up, covering a yawn with the back of her hand.

"Right here, love. I was hoping I wouldn't wake you," I reply, stepping back to the couch to sit beside her.

"What time is it? How long have I been out?" she asks, her voice husky with sleep.

"It's just after midnight, and I'm not sure, honestly. I fell asleep as well. The last thing I remember is the Beast showing Belle the library."

"Oh, that's my favorite part! And right before the ballroom scene. I'm sorry we missed it." She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'd offer to go back, but it's so late. I really should go to bed."

Standing, I pull her up to her feet. "Aye. You've a busy day tomorrow, don't you?"

She nods as I wrap my arms around her, gently hugging her to me. I brush a kiss to the top of her head before walking to the door.

"Lock up behind me so I know you're safe," I order before stepping onto the porch.

"Yes, boss." She playfully rolls her eyes.

"Good girl." I grin, ducking to kiss her gently. "Goodnight, Norah. I'll see you tomorrow."

* * *

A loud, blaring noise startles me from my sleep. Groaning,I reach for the alarm, desperately wanting to hit the snooze button, but I have too much to accomplish today. Homework is stacking up, I have a few odd jobs to do at Paddy's, and then there's practice before spending another evening with Norah. The thought of seeing her again perks me up significantly. Stretching, I head for the shower. I have about three hours to devote to homework before going to Paddy's. He wasn't intentionally doing anything to upset me, but I'm not happy with how we left things the other night. I just wasn't prepared for the conversation that would undoubtedly follow. It worked out well enough though, so there's no sense in holding a grudge.

After getting ready, I grab my bag and head to Margie's. Not just because I'm addicted to her scones, but because it's my favorite place to study. It's too easy to be lazy at home, and the library on campus is too quiet. Margie's is perfect because it's busy enough to have a white noise effect, but not so busy that it's chaos. I find my usual spot by the window and set my bag down so no one will snatch it while I order coffee.

I'm just finishing up a paper for one of my education classes when I feel a hand clap down on my shoulder, nearly scaring the life out of me.

"Hey, mate," Teagan greets me as he flops into the opposite chair.

Teagan and I met when we joined the Seahawks, but we had lived only twenty minutes from each other in Ireland. We probably drank at the same pubs without even realizing it.

"Mornin', Teag. Doing alright?"

"Aye," he answers hesitantly.

"You sure, mate? You look stressed. What's going on?" I close my laptop to give him my full attention.

He runs his hands through his hair, tugging on the strands and letting out a frustrated groan before looking at me. "I've been evicted from my flat. I have two weeks to be out."

"What?" I ask, astonished. "You're joking."

I don't believe for one second that Teagan has done anything to warrant an eviction. He's straight-laced, never late with his rent, keeps his place clean, and hasn't hosted one party since living there.

"I wish I was, Eam. The landlord sold the complex to some multimillion-dollar company that wants to completely remodel the place. They want to turn them into executive suites or some shite like that. They're kicking out everyone. We don't even get first dibs on the new ones—not that I could afford it anyway. The monthly rent is three times what I'm paying now."

"Fuck. That's robbery. How can they get away with that?"

"No clue, mate. I'm completely flummoxed. There aren't any other flats available now that the term has started," Teagan says.

I don't hesitate to offer the spare room at my flat. It's not much, but I'm not about to leave the fella homeless .

"Why don't you take the second room at my place? It's just sitting there. And if we split the rent and utilities, it will save us both some money," I offer, knowing that Teagan would never ask that of anyone.

"No way, Eam. I'm not going to infiltrate your space. Especially now that you have your new girl. No offense, but I don't want to listen to the two of you go at it all day every day."

I roll my eyes. "Don't be a twat. Norah and I haven't progressed to that place in our relationship. Plus, she has her own place, so if things do head that way, then you're good."

"You two haven't…" Teagan wags his eyebrows. "How? She's smoking, and that kiss you shared the other day was borderline pornographic, man."

"Fuck off, you wanker." I laugh, throwing an ink pen at him. "Seriously. Move into the second room. It solves your problems, and if you decide it's not working, you can move out whenever you want."

Teagan hesitates, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know, man. Are you sure it wouldn't be an issue?"

"Not at all. Between classes and practice…and Norah…I probably won't even be there much." I shrug, then grin wickedly. "And maybe I could get Norah to come over and bring her friend Layla. Don't think I didn't notice you flirting with her yesterday."

Teagan visibly brightens at the mention of Layla. "What can I say? She's a fine thing."

"So it's settled, then? I'll get the room sorted, and you can start moving your stuff as soon as today. I'll get you a copy of the key."

"You're a gem, mate. Really, thank you. Can you send me a list of when the bills are due and how much you want me to pay?"

"We'll talk about it later, yeah? I've got to get to Paddy's to fix a few things for him." I stand, hoisting my bag onto my shoulder before clasping a hand with Teagan and pulling him in for a hug.

"Right. See you at practice. Thanks again!"

I wave at him over my shoulder as I leave the cafe. He'll be a good flatmate. He's not wild like Ro and won't give me too hard of a time about Norah. And maybe, just maybe, I can play matchmaker. He hasn't gone out with anyone that I know of since his ex dumped him out of the blue. They'd dated for about a year before she broke it off, and he acted like it didn't bother him much, but I know him better than that. He'd been head over heels for that lass.

It's just past noon when I walk into Paddy's. All of the chairs are turned over on top of the tables, and the main lights are on. There's some clanking coming from the kitchen, so I head towards it. As I walk through the swinging doors, I see Paddy on his hands and knees, looking under the dishwasher. Leaning against the wall, I cross my arms over my chest, and watch the aul fella swear at whatever he's trying to fix.

"Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph! This bleedin' machine can go straight to the fiery pits of hell! Fu…"

"Look at the state of you, Paddy! What did you do to that dishwasher?"

Paddy jerks his head up, hitting it on the bottom of the sink, and I wince knowing what's coming next. "Ow! Son of a… Kennedy! You shitehawk! Give a man some warning would ya? I could have cracked my skull open!"

I stifle a laugh and hold out a hand to help him to his feet. "Sorry, Paddy. Couldn't help it. You looked a right eejit on the ground like that, cursing enough to make a harlot blush."

"Oh, bugger off. I did no such thing. You must have misheard me. Easy to do when your head's up your…"

"Paddy O'Nelly, you watch your mouth around my virgin ears," interrupts Alicia as she waltzes through the employee entrance, a shite-eating grin spread across her face. We love nothing more than to tease Paddy relentlessly.

I snort a laugh as Paddy glares at her. "Virgin ears? Ach, no barkeeper has virgin ears, lass. And I've heard that sailor's mouth of yours, so you're fooling no one."

Alicia throws her head back, laughing loudly, while she ties an apron around her waist. "Alright, you caught me. What's got you in such a fuss today, anyway? Eamon, what did you do to him?"

"What did I do? Nothing at all. Just walked in here to find Paddy under the dishwasher, calling it every name in the book." I hold up my hands up in defense.

"He's conveniently leaving out the part where he snuck up on me and caused me to hit my head on the damned thing," Paddy grumbles.

"What exactly are you trying to fix anyway?" I ask. I've told him time and time again to call me or make a list of what needs to be done, and I'll take a look at it. Paddy is not a handyman, and more often than not, he just causes more damage.

His round cheeks turn pink, and he clears his throat. "Well now, there was a small leak, and I was just trying to figure out what was causing it. I'm more than capable of handling it on my own."

Alicia and I glance at each other, both trying to hold in our laughter, but it's no good. When she puts a tattooed hand over her mouth and starts giggling, I laugh along with her.

"Paddy, don't you remember the last time you tried to fix a leak in the bathroom? There was water everywhere!" Alicia says, wiping tears from her eyes. "I thought I was going to have to get a canoe to take care of our lovely patrons!"

"It took me days to get that mess cleaned up!" I remind him.

Paddy crosses his arms over his chest and huffs like a small child who isn't getting their way. "Alright. I'm not paying the two of you to stand around slagging me all day. Go find something useful to do before I replace you!"

"Awe, Paddy. You know we're just having the craic. Besides, you'd be bored to tears if we were any other way, " I throw an arm around his shoulders.

Alicia steps over to him, planting a kiss on his cheek before bouncing towards the bar, "You know we love ya, Pat!"

"Aye. Go on. Get to work, girl." He harrumphs, turning towards the office. "She's a good lass, isn't she?"

"Ro certainly thinks so," I answer. "But yeah, she is. Glad she found her way here."

"Ach. Rowan Gallagher is nothing but trouble. He'll break that girl's heart faster than he can drink a pint." Paddy shakes his head, groaning as he sinks into the chair behind his desk. "Speaking of breaking hearts, Eamon. I hope I didn't cause a rift with you and a certain fire sprite. You know I'd never—"

"I know, Paddy," I cut him off. "You don't need to explain. You're a good man. I wasn't expecting to have that conversation with Norah so soon, but it ended up being for the best. So, thank you."

"She's good for you, son. And you seem to be good for her. I don't know her full story, but I can tell she's had a rough go of it."

"She has, but she's stronger than I think anyone gives her credit for."

My chest swells with pride thinking about all Norah has accomplished despite the obstacles she's faced. Moving away from your home is scary enough when you have your family alive and supporting you, but to be completely alone? That takes a different level of bravery. I know what it's like to lose a parent, but I still have my Mam, even if we do live an ocean apart. Norah never knew her father and isn't close to her remaining relatives, so losing her Mom would have been like losing a limb.

"Aye. Not many get to see that side of our Norah. It was four years ago when she came wandering into my pub. I remember it clearly. She marched right up to the bar and requested a proper Guinness." He chuckles at the memory. "She sat there and talked my ears off. Told me about her trip to the Isle, and how she wanted to live there. Told me she'd go back one day and find her husband…" He pauses to give me a pointed look.

My breath catches in my chest as my mind floods with images of Norah in a white gown—no doubt something she created herself—against a backdrop of the Irish countryside, walking down a path littered with rose petals - straight to me.

"Anyway," Paddy continues, "she lit up talking about Ireland. Reminded me of my Ellie, God rest her. If we'd ever been blessed with a daughter, I imagine she'd have been like Norah. All sugar and spice. Treat her well, lad and you'll never lose her."

We've only just met, but I already know that I don't want to let her go.