Chapter 30
POV: Maeve?
I was anxious about formally introducing Liam to my gGan, but I knew it was time.
In the end, hers was the only opinion that truly mattered to me.
The entire drive, I fidgeted in the passenger seat, my nerves buzzing beneath my skin.
I couldn’t help but wonder…
What if she didn’t like him—what would I do then? Would that change my opinion? Would that change his? Would it change our relationship? Would it ruin things?
I hadn’t a clue.
And that scared the shit out of me.
Liam rested his hand on my thigh and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “What is that crazy mind thinking about now?”
I shot a glare his way. “Crazy?”
“Woah,” he apologized. “Not crazy. Never crazy. Just…thought-filled,” he corrected.
“Thought-filled?” I narrowed my eyes.
He shot me a nervous smile. “Well, uh—not that either. Shit, I don’t know, love. I’m crap at this.”
“You are,” I laughed, shaking my head as I did. “But you’re right about one thing. I’m thinking again and I can’t stop….”
He shot me a wink as his palm climbed up my leg until it was dangerously close to my core. “That’s one of my favorite things about you.”
“Liam,” I warned, though my cheeks reddened.
He shrugged and tipped his head toward me, his hand resting easily on the steering wheel. “It is. I love your brain. You’re so smart Maeve and witty and just…incredible. I’m a lucky guy.”
“Nice save,” I shook my head, laughing.
“It’s true.” He squeezed my leg harder. “Now tell me what’s got you worried, love.”
I let out a heavy sigh as I stared out at the piterisque Irish scenery beyond. “About gran.”
“And what about her?”
He knew me better to know my thoughts stopped there.
I let out another sigh. “About what she’ll think of…you.”
He let out a chuckle. “But she’s already met me.”
I shot him a look. The look practically screamed, stop being cocky. Then said, “only once and I don’t think you made a good impression. Well, you didn’t make a bad one but she didn’t actually get to meet you—not like this.”
He took my hand in his and pressed it firmly against his chest. “Maeve, I promise it’ll be okay. She’ll like me—hopefully she’ll love me.”
I scoffed, laughing as I did. “You do realize if you don’t then this might not work out?”
It was a half joke.
This time, he shot me a pointed look, one brow arched as he looked me over. “I don’t think anything can make this not work out any longer, love. We’re in too deep.”
“Deep is proposing,” I sent him a wink.
He shrugged, a smirk creeping its way onto his lips. “Maybe I’ve got a ring in my pocket ready to go.”
“Sure,” I laughed, looking back out at the beautiful irish green. But inside, my heart battered, wondering maybe—just maybe we’d get there one day. To labels. Fiance. Husband. Wife. Father. Mother.
I pushed the thought further into my brain—to the deepest hole I could shove it to.
One wish at a time, Maeve.
After 30 long minutes of driving, we finally arrived and settled into a small pub in Galway and waited for gran to arrive.
She arrived right on time 10 minutes later and welcomed me with open arms. Literally.
She embraced me tightly into a hug then she turned to look over at Liam, inspecting him with suspicious eyes.
“Gran,” I retorted, embarrassed.
Gran gave me her best ‘innocent until proven guilty’ look then said, “I’m just looking this young man over, making sure he has meat on his bones,” she joked.
“I hope I look strong enough for your standards,” Liam joked.
Gran laughed happily. “He looks like a fine Irish young man.”
“Defnitely Irish,” I teased. “Who knows about his morals though.” I sent Liam a playful wink.
Liam wrapped his hand around my side, and tortured me by tickling me. “This one’s got a heart of steel.”
I swatted his hand away.
“All O’Connell women do,” Gran laughed.
I nodded, proudly. “That’s right!”
The conversation flowed easily, both Gran and Liam had things in common, being from the same homeland. The Irish were known for their friendly demeanors, although Liam, could’ve fooled me with his innate grumpiness. Or at least he used to be able to.
Now, there was nothing grumpy about Liam…anymore.
My worries began to ease—just a little until Liam excused himself to use the bathroom.
The moment he disappeared down the hall, Gran shifted in her seat and leaned in close. “You really seem like you’re smitten with this one. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time, dear.”
I nodded, filtering in a breath of relief. I was. I really was.
“I am happy, Gran. I’m really happy. I can’t describe it. Things with Liam just feel…perfect?” I shook my head, denying the possibility of perfection, as if this reality was even possible.
Gran beamed from ear to ear and took my hand in hers. “I’m happy for you, Maeve. I always wanted this for you. To come to Ireland, find a nice Irish man to settle down with—to have a family and some wee great-grandchildren for me to hen over.”
Leave it to Gran to fantasize.
I guess that’s where I got my imagination from.
“Woah—woah! Don’t get ahead of yourself! We’re not even engaged, Gran.”
But a part of me hoped that one day we would be engaged and we could have a family like Gran imagined.
“One day,” she squeezed harder, tapping my hand before releasing it.
The second she leaned back, Liam returned, a faintly bemused expression playing across his face as his eyes flicked between us, clearly aware he’d walked in on something.
He knew we’d been talking about him, and the smug, delighted grin spread across his face. “What are you two ladies talking about?”
I shrugged. “Not a thing.”
Gran nodded, taking my side.
That’s right, Gran.
Liam paid the bill, Gran and I exchanged long hugs.
Before leaving, Gran gave Liam one long look before wrapping him into a hug and speaking loud enough for me to hear, “Don’t break her heart, lad!”
“Gran!” I scolded her in a hushed whisper.
“What?” she shrugged, sending a wink my way. “I still know something about digging holes and there’s plenty of them out here in Ireland!”
“Gran!” I laughed, looking between her and Liam sheepishly. “It’s like she thinks she’s a part of the IRA!”
“I very well might be!” she teased.
I laughed, actually laughed. What a comparison. “My gran—part of the mercenary squad!”
After we said goodbye to Gran, Liam wrapped me into his arms and held me tightly against his chest. “I think that went wonderful.”
“In what standards? She threatened you!” I laughed, resting my cheek on his chest.
“I think she meant it as a term of endearment,” he shrugged.
“Yeah right,” I chuckled. “If that’s a term of endearment then you’re a dead man walking.”
His eyes softened, as he peered down at me, emotion flooding his face.“I don’t mind, as long as I get to be with you.”
My cheeks flushed with heat as I stared up at him. “Who knew that threats could make a girl blush.”
“Who knew,” he smiled and pressed a deep kiss into my lips. “I mean it, Maeve. I love you.”
“I love you,” I whispered as his lips rested against mine.