Chapter 34
thirty-four
BéBHINN
Back in her room, she would have sworn Dagr had been about to do…something, anything besides turning tail and practically sprinting from her bedroom.
He was inside the car rental place now. Bébhinn was twisting her fingers together, sick with worry that she had read him all wrong when she’d taken that step to close the distance between them.
“What a mess,” she sighed, thumping her head against the seat’s headrest.
She’d done well to keep up a steady stream of conversation like they always did over the phone. She enjoyed hearing about Dagr’s cases and encouraged him to speak of his latest one as they drove.
He was responsive and funny like normal, but there was a forced element to their discourse that hadn’t been there before that moment in her bedroom. It could be something as simple as work stress that he didn’t wish to discuss, and she was blowing it way out of proportion.
She knew she hadn’t imagined his leg or hand touching her tonight at the pub. His fingers had rested on her lower back more than once. It was familiar and hot as hell all in one go.
When he’d asked her to go out for a drink, and not only that, but flew to Dublin instead of Wales to do it, she couldn’t help but feel like they were moving toward something.
Now…she wasn’t as sure.
She had turned down a few dates the past few months, and not solely because of Dagr—mostly but not wholly. She was happy and busy and still recovering from losing her father. She had her mother and her family to think about, plus school, and her “internship” at Triskelion.
Her best friends took up time with their own daily dramas, as did her damn brothers and nephews, who loved nothing more than to poke their noses into her business.
She was satisfied. “I am satisfied just as things are.” She was thankful no one was around to hear that pathetic vision board quote.
He had just shoved open the rental place’s glass door and was going to her Jeep. “Don’t make this weird,” she whispered to herself before he opened the passenger door.
“I’m all settled. I can’t thank you enough for the ride,” Dagr said as he leaned into the cab.
“No problem. Your bags are in the back seat.” As if he didn’t know that! “Have a great weekend with your dad. Let me know if you go on any cool adventures without me,” she pretended to pout.
He hesitated like he was about to say something, but changed his mind and said, “Nothing planned.”
He dragged his bags from the back and set them on the passenger seat, still staring at her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. Stay cool, damnit.
“Thanks again for visiting.” Stop talking, you immature child.
“I’ve a fundraising charity thing in a few weeks in London. It’s for several nature reserves, including the one my father runs. Go with me.”
Her throat was suddenly as dry as the Atacama Desert. “Formal?”
“Black tie,” he confirmed.
“Shopping for a new ball gown…” she pretended to think, tapping her chin. “I’ll be there.”
Dagr’s frame seemed to lose some of its tenseness at her agreement. “I’ll send you all the information and arrange a private jet to bring you to London.”
“That’s not—” she started to protest.
“It is,” he said in such a serious tone that she felt her cheeks flush.
He took his bags without another word and shut the door, leaving her blinking in bewilderment until her driver’s door opened. He dropped his bags on the pavement and reached in for a chaste embrace.
“Text me the moment you’re home.”
“I will.” What else was there to say?
“Here, try this on,” Gray said, handing her a dress, “while you explain lying to your best friends for months.”
Bébhinn glanced around Gray’s shoulder, where she stood blocking her exit from the changing room that she was currently standing naked in, with the exception of a simple pair of navy cotton briefs.
Her eyes found Blair, who was leaning against the opposite wall, but as soon as she saw Bébhinn looking lifted her hands and signed, “I would not have told anyone.”
Her frown was slight, but Bébhinn felt like shit that she’d not told them about talking to Dagr.
How was she supposed to explain that he was only a friend with platonic texts and calls, not benefits?
The night they’d met for drinks was the first inkling she’d had that he felt anything other than friendship for her.
Mags shoved her arm past Gray, handing her another dress. “Yeah, spill already.”
Bébhinn pushed the two girls back from the door. “Move back so Blair can follow.” Blair just smiled and rolled her eyes. She was pretty used to what it was like when the four of them were together, and excitement was high. Blair was excellent at reading lips, but she did have to see them.
“How’s this? I find a dress, then we find a pub, then I tell you guys everything, and then you tell me how I’m going to tell Mom that I’m going to London next weekend to see a man she’s never met.”
Once they agreed, they got down to business, and she found a dress quickly.
She felt beautiful and couldn’t wait for Dagr to see her in it.
Blair found the winning design. The color was a rich champagne with a floor-length maxi hem.
The boat neckline rested against her collarbones, with a darted bodice and flowing cap sleeves.
The silk fitted at her waist before skimming her figure until barely draping her strappy-heeled toes. It was elegant and sophisticated in its simple lines. The back was her favorite part. A soft cowl revealed her bare back to her natural waist.
No bra, but thankfully, she wasn’t as busty as her mom and aunts. Her breasts were a perfectly rounded, firm C cup. Her friends assured her the dress was perfect from all angles. She was relieved to have that part of the day dusted.
Bébhinn wasn’t hugely interested in shopping for clothes. Now antiques and homemade household goods, that she could spend hours at. In fact, she’d asked Dagr to make her flight earlier so she could visit a shop that supposedly carried a stunning array of hand-painted wallpaper.
She wanted to surprise her mother with a roll since she was slowly redecorating her flat, and if it wasn’t to her taste, her mom would have many clients who would want it. Either way, she would be happy to give her a gift for no other reason than that she loved her.
Shopping bags hanging from the back of her high barstool chair and drinks ordered, there was nothing left to do except explain Dagr to her friends.
Once she started, the telling became easier. From their first meeting in the cave and how she thought it was her brother, to three weeks ago when she felt like he might want more than friendship.
She took a sip of Three Wolves, which the pub carried, much to her delight, and sat back, satisfied that her friends would be as pleased about Dagr as she was.
“Wait,” Gray started, sounding confused, “you’ve never even kissed the man?”
“Forget kissing. No sex. Seriously.” Mags looked between their friends, incredulous.
Blair signed, “Phone sex?”
Bébhinn tried to tame her blush, but it was no use. “No, you assholes. I’ve told you for the past hour that we’re only friends. Jesus!”
“But you want more?” Gray asked.
“He wants more?” Mags asked.
“I hope it works out. I’ll be a shoo-in for his dad’s internship.”
Bébhinn rolled her eyes. “You’re already overqualified, Blair. As for the other, I’ve wanted more from that first night, but I haven’t a clue about his feelings. Only hope.”
“Your family is going to shit about the age difference,” Mags pointed out.
“Your brothers and the boys will put up a fight,” Gray agreed.
Blair asked, “You only said he was quite a bit older. How much?”
Here we go. “He’s just turned thirty-nine. Eighteen years older.”
“Like mother, like daughter.” Mags winked over her glass.
“Hey! Mom and Dad were way more years apart than that, and the family didn’t bat a lash.”
Blair touched her hand. She was wearing a look on her face that said, “You poor delusional girl.”
“Rowan didn’t have parents. Rowan and her sisters were already under the O’Faolain influence,” Gray started.
Mags interjected. “By ‘influence,’ Gray means under the influence of their dicks.”
“Never speak of private parts and my brothers again. Gross.”
“Anyway,” Gray elbowed Mags to shut up, “your mom didn’t have parents to protest the age difference. You’ve lost your father, though I think even you can admit that Hugh would have handled the news poorly, regardless of him and your mom. Despite that, your brothers—”
“Will lose their shit,” Mags finished.
“And Daniel and Patrick won’t be much better,” Blair finished.
Bébhinn felt her shoulders slump. She couldn’t deny any of their points. They were all true.
“We’ve got your back, however, and can help out as we may,” Gray said and smiled. “If something more than friendship does begin with you and Dagr, it will be an uphill battle with your family, but never impossible.”
“I’ve never known an O’Faolain to take no for an answer,” Blair quickly signed.
“Okay. Thanks, you guys.”
“I know our families,” Mags nodded toward Gray and Blair, “would murder me for saying this, but I think you should lie until after London. Find out after you stay with him and see if it’s going to progress.
Then you can have a family meeting, and they can like it or love it.
Either way, it’ll be too late.” Mags shrugged like her idea was faultless.
“And my mother? My excuse for going to London?” Bébhinn couldn’t believe she was considering a plan Mags had devised.
“Your mom, Raven, and River share a hive mind. If you tell your mom, she wouldn’t be able to keep it from them, and in turn, they would tell their husbands, who would then tell their sons. Your London charity gala would have some gate crashers, guaranteed.” Blair wasn’t wrong.
“Tell her that you’re visiting Liv and then make sure you do so it isn’t a lie. You aren’t outright lying that way,” Gray suggested.
“Only omitting,” Blair signed while nodding in agreement.