Chapter 13
13
B acon.
The first thing he smelled when he opened his eyes. The second, a sweet wildflower scent that lingered in Selena's bedsheets. He rubbed a hand over his face. Had he overslept?
It was 5:00 a.m.
Her side of the bed was empty, and it disappointed him. He'd held her most of the night, not pushing anything between them physically. He'd never want that memory to come on the heels of what'd happened at the bar.
He grabbed his shirt, tugging it down and padding down the hallway to seek out the source of both delicious scents.
She stood at the stove, barefoot, muttering to the food like she needed to help it cook.
“Good morning,” he said, hoping not to scare her.
She barely glanced his direction. “Oh. Good. You're up. Can you grab the plates out of that cabinet?”
He opened the cabinet she'd indicated. The kitchen was small. Smaller than the one his Ma had back home.
“How many? ”
“Three.” She started flipping off burners. “And it's ready. I was going to try and keep your plate warm.”
“Selena,” he nuzzled her neck from behind, finding the wildflowers again. “You didn't need to cook me breakfast.”
She swatted at him. “I probably wouldn't have if Mimi didn't wake up twenty minutes ago, asking for food.”
He straightened. “Where is she now?”
“I set her up in her room watching television. She can watch infomercials all day. At least until the soap operas come on.” She pursed her lips together. “Can I leave you to plate these and I’ll go grab her?”
“Sure.”
Selena wiped her hands on a towel as she scurried out of the room. He stood there, dumbfounded, for a moment. The kitchen. Cooking. Selena rushing to make sure her granny got food. Surreal.
“Here she is,” Selena announced.
Brogan hustled to plate the food. Rashers of bacon, eggs, and toast. He set a plate on the table, watching her granny the same way she watched him.
Uncertainty.
Did she know he'd stayed over in her granddaughter's bed? He'd been run out of a house or two in the mornings back home while still a teenager. Those memories didn't leave.
“I'm Estella Chapman.” She held out her hand.
“Brogan O'Keeley. Nice to make your acquaintance.” He held her thin hand lightly, aware of every bone. The only resemblance between Estella and Selena were their eyes.
Selena helped her to sit. “I'm glad to have some male company for a change. I keep asking Selena to find out if George Clooney kept any of his medical scrubs from his time on TV and might want to take over the nursing duties, but she won't.”
Brogan grinned. “I'm no George Clooney, but I'm glad to have your company as well.”
“What do you do, Brogan?”
Brogan paused before setting his plate down and sitting across from Estella.
Selena saved him. “He owns a restaurant.”
“Oh. You should hire Selena. That boss she has now I heard is a real tyrant.”
Brogan slowly turned to Selena, her nose almost shoved in the eggs on her plate. “Is he? Maybe I will have to steal her away.”
Selena drank a glass of water, not coming up for air until it was empty.
He took a bite of his breakfast, enjoying her discomfort for some reason. “What else did she say about her boss?”
“Oh, the usual stuff. He won't make up his mind about her.”
Selena's eyes grew round. “Mimi, I don't remember telling you that.”
“She'd thought about quitting a few times.”
“Quitting?” She’d quit O’Keeley’s?
Selena held up her hand to keep him quiet. He laid his fork down, but she didn't seem to care about him at the moment. “When did I tell you that?”
“Oh, honey, I don't know.” Estella became a little flustered. “Did you not? Sometimes things feel so fuzzy.”
“Yes. I did, Mimi. I—”
“So you were going to quit?”
She cut her eyes at him. “Hold on.” She took Estella's hand, patting it. “It's alright. I do remember telling you that now. Can you eat a little bit more for me?” She pointed at Brogan's plate. “Brogan has eaten all his bacon. You love bacon.”
She smiled. “I do love bacon.” She picked up a piece and began to chew on it.
“I need to talk to you.” He rose, not waiting for a response. Quitting? Why? He needed her in the business. They had that event to put on in a short turnaround. Cathal had mentioned two weeks. He needed her there. With him.
When he realized Selena hadn't followed him, he returned to the kitchen. She sat there, eating her eggs, unaware of the panic rolling inside him.
“Selena?”
She looked up at him. “What?”
“I asked you to come here so we could talk.”
“Asked?” She set her fork down. “I don't remember you asking.”
He ran a hand over his head. Why was she playing these games? “Selena, dear, will you please come into the living room?”
She arched an eyebrow. “No. I'm eating. I personally don't like cold eggs, and I used the last of them to make enough for the three of us.”
He really was an idiot sometimes. His shoulders relaxed. He walked back to the table, dropped a kiss on the top of her head, and sat down. He wasn't used to this, considering someone else's feelings.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, scooping up a forkful of eggs. They ate in silence. Estella didn't seem to notice. After Selena ate her last bite, Brogan rose and took her plate.
Her eyes shot to his. He didn't blame her for doubting his motives. He didn't have any clue how to be in a relationship .
He turned the sink on hot. But the hot water never came on. “Selena, do you not have hot water?”
“Dang. It must be out. I'll go start it again, but you won't have hot water for a while.”
“Have you told the apartment complex about it?”
“Oh, yeah. They jump right on things when I complain.” She held up her hands as she left the room. “Sarcasm, Brogan.”
He turned back to the sink, scrubbing the dishes well before setting them in the drying rack.
“She likes you, you know.” Estella sat at the table, her golden eyes watching him. Her Southern accent sounded regal. “Don't let me be the reason you don't pursue a relationship with my granddaughter.”
He turned the water off and dried his hands on the worn towel. He walked to Estella and squatted down in front of her. “I'm proud that she takes care of you.”
“I know it's a burden. I keep hoping the insurance will pull through for her.” Her eyes shined, and she glanced away.
He took her thin hands in his. “She wants to get you the best care possible. Would you like for me to help you back into the living room or your room?”
“Yes.” He took a hand under her elbow, helping her rise. He turned. Selena stood in the doorway.
“I can help her.”
“I got it. Where are we headed?” He followed Estella's instruction, helping her back into the bed to finish getting some sleep. It was barely five thirty.
But when he returned, Selena wasn't in the living room or the kitchen. He found her in her room, sitting on the side of the bed, staring at the windowless wall.
“Are you alright?” He sat down beside her .
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I did want to quit. I told her that when she wasn't in her current mind. I was surprised that she remembered it. Sorry I snapped at you.”
He set a hand on her knee. “I really don't want you to quit.”
“That's nice to hear.”
“We really need you right now. Cathal has this idea to generate more income and help make up that five hundred thousand that the owner tacked onto the price. A big promotion to draw in a huge crowd.”
“So my boss doesn't want me to quit. The man that slept in my bed last night doesn't have an opinion?”
That was the tricky part. He swallowed and shifted to meet her gaze. It amused him that she looked a little annoyed. His Selena was definitely not a morning person. “I enjoy seeing you at work. But if you stopped working for the restaurant, I wouldn't stop trying to pursue you. So, no. The man that's here right now still wants you, be it you work at O'Keeley's or not.” It'd almost be easier if she didn't work there, but he'd keep that to himself. He relied on her too much to let his own wants or needs to get in the way.
She kissed him lightly. “I like that answer. What do you need me to do for the restaurant?” She moved to her dresser, opening a drawer and pulling out clothes.
“Plan the promotion. Make it happen. Make it a success.”
She swiveled around. “What? You want me to plan a big party? I don't know how to do that.”
“I mean, we'll help and everything. But we were going to feature Rian, make him the center of it.”
Her lips turned up in a small smile. “Have you told him that yet?”
“Cathal drew the short straw. ”
She nodded and walked across the room to her bathroom, pushing the door to, but not shut. “Keep talking. I'm just changing.”
He went through the ideas they'd discussed, along with a few of his own. He stretched back on her bed, not wanting to face the reality of the situation between them when they got to work.
He liked being with her, touching her when he wanted.
She opened the door. Her work shirt was tucked into tight jeans. Her hair in a ponytail. “Don't you look cozy and relaxed on my bed.”
Whatever had put her in a bad mood earlier seemed gone. He grinned. “You have a very comfy bed. I'd be obliged if you invited me back to stay.”
“We'll have to see when my boss lets me off. He can be a real tyrant.” She sat on the bed beside him.
He reached over, gripped her by the shoulders, and dragged her across his body so he could finally kiss her good morning.
They'd kissed a few times before going to sleep the night before, but awake, lying with her, her body on his, those sweet kisses flew away.
He rolled them over, pinning her underneath him. The day would be hell. He'd go from touching her, tasting her, to acting like she didn't affect him with a single look.
She tugged his shirt. “Off,” she mumbled against his lips.
“I feel like this is one-sided.” But he sat back long enough to take his shirt off.
“Completely.” She ran her hands over his chest before tugging him back down and kissing the hell out of him. She touched him everywhere, driving him crazy. He wanted to do the same. But that was a line he couldn't cross. Not until he figured out how to have her for good .
Selena caught Katie in the bathroom before their shift started to clarify what she'd heard Cathal say about Brogan at the bar. It was a lame story about how they'd talked about going out but didn't want it to mess up their professional relationship. Basically, a bunch of crap that Katie nodded and said, ‘of course,’ a few times before she winked and walked out of the room.
Yeah. Katie hadn't believed a word of it.
But she didn't have time to worry about that. Now, snuggled deep into the leather sofa in Brogan's office, the challenging task of planning a big shin-dig to save the pub was her focus. The computer sat open on her lap and dozens of papers spread out across the coffee table and two other chairs.
The biggest problem she kept running into was Rian. He wouldn't return her phone calls or her texts. He was the star, according to Brogan. The star was pitching a major hissy fit at the moment.
“How's it coming?” Cathal asked as he entered the room, carrying a cup of tea in his hand. “Katie said you liked black tea.”
“I do. Why is Katie still here?” It was well after four. Brogan had offered to pay for Mimi's nurse, calling it a perk of being VP of Advertising. Because they were back to that, even after the hot make-out session before leaving her apartment.
“She stopped by to give me the heads up that I'll be arrested this afternoon. Apparently, the girl she met at that bar works as a receptionist at the police station.”
Selena's mouth dropped open. “No. Way. That's ridiculous! ”
“Not really. I did almost kill him.” He said it like he'd offered the guy a ham sandwich. Something lurked within Cathal that didn't align with his happy, flippant persona he presented to everyone. She'd seen it now. Twice.
“Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.”
He laughed. “Clever. But he's still filing charges.”
“I'd offer to bail you out myself, but it might take a while to get the money. Despite my new fancy title, it doesn't come with a pay raise.”
“Brogan already said he'd come.” He sat on the edge of the chair. “I wanted to ask you a favor. I called a lawyer friend of mine that handles these things more than I ever have. Do you mind reporting your side of what happened?”
“Not at all.” She hadn't even thought about it. “What about the bartender? She saw the whole thing. She was there when he messed with me the first time. She actually told him to stop.”
“I'll be sure to let my lawyer know.” He pointed at the paper. “Is there something in here that is useful for the promotion? I know it's a shot in the dark, but maybe we can raise the rest of the money.”
“I'm getting there. If I can get Rian to call me back so I can get some details.”
“See, we tease Brogan that he's the moody one, but he has all the financial responsibility. Rian, he's moody when his art isn't going his way.”
Selena took a sip of the tea. She raised an eyebrow. He'd put whiskey in her tea. “When are you moody?”
“When I'm locked away from pretty women and alcohol.”
She looked at her watch. “Oh. So, in another fifty-five minutes, I'll see what Cathal looks like moody.”
“Absolutely. ”
Brogan came into the room. Closed the door. Walked over to Selena and planted a solid kiss on her lips.
And, earlier, when they'd been in the dining room, he'd ordered her to restock the ladies’ restroom with toilet paper. Back and forth they went. Forever, apparently. She pushed the negative thoughts from her mind.
Temporary. He wasn't Jacob. At least she kept telling herself that.
“Braggart,” Cathal mumbled before moving the papers out of the chair for him to sit. “Give us what you've got, Selena.”
Brogan sat down beside Selena. And that made her happy.
“I do have an idea. But it's pushing it. You wanted this in two weeks, so you'd have three to figure it out if you didn't get enough money, right?” She took a breath and pulled up the website. “In a few weeks, the party would coincide with an Irish festival in Atlanta. I wouldn't book it the same weekend. We wouldn't want that competition. But, it might be helpful to host yours the weekend before.”
“Three weeks? You're right,” Brogan said, his fingers twirling the end of her hair absently. “That is pushing it.”
She looked up at him, wanting to ask another question, but he dropped another small kiss on her lips.
“I like the idea. But how do we draw people in?” Cathal pointed at her tea. “I was going to abstain, but do you mind?”
“Go ahead.”
“Abstain from tea?” Brogan barely asked the question before he sighed. “I should have known you added something to it.”
“We want to keep Rian's food the focus. And I think I can get in contact with a few of the food critics or bloggers or whoever to come in. Offer them free tickets for the exposure on their websites.” She pulled up another website. “Now, what is trad music?”
“The traditional music you hear in Ireland.” Brogan nodded toward Cathal. “He can play a fiddle if you feed him enough whiskey.”
“I might have to do that. Can you do anything?”
Cathal answered. “He sings like a scuttered fish when he drinks too much whiskey.”
She'd expected him to deny it, but he didn't. Something about Brogan singing horribly made her smile. He did everything else so well. “And Rian's the cook,” she added.
“Oh. Rian can play the fiddle, too.” Cathal downed the rest of her tea in one drink like it was a shot. “I'm just better.”
“Rian would disagree.” A knock at the door brought Brogan to his feet before he announced for them to enter. “Sir?” Katie peeked in. “The police just showed up. They're earlier than I told Cathal. I'm sorry.”
“Don't worry about it, Katie,” Brogan said. “Thank you for letting us know ahead of time. And thank your friend as well.”
Two uniformed police officers appeared behind Katie. She darted out of the way.
Selena rose with Cathal. Before the men entered, she walked over to him and hugged him. “Thank you.”
He ran a hand down her hair and patted her back. “It's fine. I guess I shouldn't admit it's not my first time for being arrested for fighting.”
“I assumed it wasn't.” She pulled back. “I'll go with Brogan to the station, file my report.”
“Thanks.” He turned and stood silently as the police officers read him his rights. They walked him out, without handcuffs.
“You're going with me?” Brogan opened the desk drawer and pulled out his car keys.
“Yes.”
“But, don't you think it will look odd?”
“Stop.” She held up her hand. “I need to report what happened so it can go against them keeping Cathal. Take me to the station so I can help get your brother off these charges that he only got because he was protecting your VP of Advertising.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you ever going to stop calling yourself that?”
She set her hand on her hip. “Are you ever going to start calling me something else?”
“Please. Just wait and leave a few minutes after I do.”
Her lips pressed together, trying to stay nice. But she couldn't. Not when it hurt every inch of her heart. “Do you want to sneak me out of the back door?”