10. Ronan

CHAPTER 10

RONAN

“ Y ou should come by for dinner every night,” Leo insists. If things were different, I absolutely would. Nora isn’t ready for whatever this is between us, when I’m jumping in with two feet.

“Maybe not every night, but I’ll never turn down an invitation for your mum’s cooking. Next time, you can come by my place, and I’ll make you my favourite.”

“Oh yeah? And what’s that?” Nora asks, nursing her glass of Merlot.

“Bacon and cabbage, of course.” I hide my smile behind my wine glass as I take a sip. Leo scrunches his nose and Nora lets out a hearty laugh. “Not a fan? You don’t know what you’re missin’! But I suppose I could make something else. On match days, the best I can do is a stew or chowder. I usually make dinner in my slow cooker so it’s ready when I’m home in the evenings. Since we’re not playing tomorrow, maybe smoked salmon and soda bread?”

Nora’s eyes narrow. “Surely you have other plans.”

“Not a one.” I take out my phone to prove it, and as I’m pulling up my calendar, I spot a text from my sister.

Bridget

Gavin’s football coach quit. Do you think you could help the boys?

I swipe away and show Nora my empty evening tomorrow. I click the small plus sign, add ‘Dinner with Leo and Nora,’ and turn my phone again. “Well, now I’m all booked. Sorry, I saw a message from my sister about my nephew, mind if I shoot off a quick reply?”

“Of course not, go ahead.”

When is their practice?

Two nights a week at 4.

As long as it doesn’t conflict I can help.

I can cover when you have matches. There’s practice tomorrow, can you make it?

It’s a commitment, but I can’t let my nephew’s team struggle. Our dad would never forgive me.

Sure, I’ll be there.

I love you!

I love you, too.

“Bridget said she needs me to help my nephew, Gavin, tomorrow at four. So, how does six sound for dinner?”

“As long as it isn’t cabbage,” Nora jests, eyes twinkling. “Are you sure you don’t want me to bring something? Or we can have takeaway?”

Before I can answer, the front door opens, and the three of us turn to the sound. It’s followed by a woman’s voice calling into the flat, “That has to be the worst date I’ve been on in ages!” She continues rambling about her date as she drops her handbag onto the couch. Without looking at any of us, she helps herself to a bottle of white wine in the refrigerator. “Oh, you already have red open.” She puts it back, takes out a wine glass from the cupboard, and asks Nora, “Do you think that footballer friend of yours could set me up with someone while I’m here?”

“You can ask him yourself,” Nora chuckles.

“And say what?” She pours the wine and mocks, “ I’m here for a week to help my sister get settled. Have a friend who wants no strings attached? I think that’s better coming from—” She pivots and shrieks, “Bloody hell! Where did you come from?”

“Lettie, this is Ronan. Ronan, this is my sister, Lettie.”

“I know who he is,” Lettie groans. “Hi, Ronan. Pleasure to finally meet you. Thanks again for the match yesterday. Leo and I had an amazing time.”

“Of course. Would you like to come to my next one?”

Leo gasps and tugs on Nora’s hand. “Can we?”

“But, sorry, I don’t think I can arrange a date for you with one of my mates.” I huff a laugh. “When you leave, I’d be the one left explaining why my girlfriend’s sister broke their heart.”

“Girlfriend?” Lettie folds her arms over her chest and raises an eyebrow.

Fuck .

“Yes, well, Nora and I are friends… and she’s a girl.” I hate lying, and it’s written all over Nora’s face that she also hates it. I take a deep breath and tell Leo, “I’m sorry, mate, I promised your mum I wouldn’t lie to my family or hers, and I just did. I like your mum, more than as a friend.”

“I knew it,” Lettie laughs, reaching for her wine as Nora chews on her lips. I should have asked her before, but I don’t want to lie to her son about my intentions.

Leo frowns and asks, “So, you guys are dating?”

“Not exactly. Ronan and I are indeed just friends, but”—her eyes meet mine—“I do like him as more than a friend.” My heart skips a beat at her admission. “It’s complicated and new. With reporting on his football club, we’re… The truth is, I don’t know. We’ve only been here a couple of days, and?—”

“Why are you being weird about this?” Leo chides, matching his aunt’s cocked eyebrow and crossed arms.

Nora laughs, little lines forming at the corner of her eyes. “We are, aren’t we?”

“Not that anyone cares, but I’d still like to go to the match.” Lettie sits at the table with us and adds, “Even if you refuse to set me up with one of your mates.”

“Will you come to one of mine, too?” Leo excitedly asks Lettie.

“I’ll be here for your first game, but I’ll have to see what I can work out in the next month.” Lettie finishes her wine in three quick gulps, then tells Nora, “I’m in for the rest of the night, if you two want to go out.”

“Actually,” I answer before Nora, “I was once told you normally read after dinner. I didn’t bring a book with me, care if I borrow one?”

Nora mutters something to herself, then bites her lip to hide her smile. “I’m surprised you remember that. You may borrow my ereader, if you like? I haven’t unpacked the boxes of books yet.”

Leo chimes in, “Can we go for a walk first?”

“Of course, peanut. Let me take care of the dishes and we can go.”

“Leave ‘em,” Lettie insists. “I’ll do them when we get back.”

I stand and clear the plates, setting them in the sink. Leo slips on trainers with laces that don’t require tying and when he spots mine that are nearly identical but in a bigger size, his grin couldn’t be wider. I can’t stand wearing shoes and socks. The moment I’m home, I like to slip off my shoes as quickly as possible to free myself of the foot dungeons—laces slow down the process. I can’t help but wonder what his reasoning is.

Nora’s neighbourhood is quiet and her building reminds more of student housing than one suited for families. Admittedly, I’m not familiar with this area, so I could be way off in my assumptions. I don’t get out much anymore, and when I do, I’m with my mates at a pub or doing weekly shopping and errands. I owned a home before I moved into my current place, but it was too much space for only me. It was tucked away in nearly two acres of mature trees and gardens, and had a private beach. My mind wanders; if I had kept it, Leo would have more space to practise.

We walk for half an hour, Leo telling me about everything he’s looking forward to, with Nora and Lettie following behind us whispering. I’m able to multitask listening to all three of them, trying to smother my smile when I overhear Nora tell Lettie that she’s scared about falling for me.

Little does the lass know, I fell for her before she stepped foot in Ireland.