Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Emilia
My sister got here two days ago and she’s been on a mission to find John and Kali. So far she hasn’t had any luck. But it’s hilarious to watch her stalk around town looking for them. He did show up at my apartment when she was out last night. He tried to tell me that he’s not really engaged. That Kali is a family friend and she came back with him to see Starlight Bay. Do I really look that dumb? I told him that he needs to find someone else to believe his crap. Courtney got back minutes after John left. I’m pretty sure he’s hiding from her.
Since then, he’s called and texted me multiple times a day. I know I can block him, but this is my proof when Kali finds out who he really is. I’m not going to be the one that’s blamed for his stupidity. I still don’t understand why I didn’t see any of this. How did I not know he had a whole life back in Michigan? I feel stupid and dirty. The worst part is I helped him cheat on Kali. Part of me wants to tell her. I mean I would want to know if someone did that to me. But not everyone thinks like me.
“Are you coming to Pi tonight to eat?” I ask Court.
“Yeah, I was thinking of coming in right before closing. That way I can eat, then help you and Frank clean up.”
“That would be nice. Hey, you haven’t told anyone about John have you?”
“Not yet. But I will if they ask. They need to know what he’s done, he’s the douchecanoe. Not you. You did nothing wrong. I know you feel like you did. But you didn’t.”
“Of course I feel bad. Kali seems like a really nice person and he cheated on her. And I know it, but I’m not saying anything. I’m an asshole.”
“Then tell her. Next time you see her, tell her what went on. But make sure you tell her you had no idea and that as soon as you met her? You haven’t been with him again.”
Courtney is right, I should tell Kali. She might take it out on me, but that’s okay.
“I will tell her. I have to leave now, but I’ll see you later.”
My sister hugs me.
“It’ll be okay, you’re a good person and I love you.”
“What he did made me part of something I never would’ve done if I had known. And it makes me feel shitty. I should’ve told her when I first met her, but I was in shock.”
“I know, sis. It’s okay. Like I said, this is on him. Not you.”
I nod at Court and head out. Logically I know she’s right. But I still feel bad. I hope they come in tonight so I can tell her what he’s been doing.
Tonight I’m working the closing shift at Pi. Wednesday nights are usually slower and gives me time to restock things and relax a little. As I’m cleaning some tables, I hear the door open. I look up and see a party of eight people walking in.
“Are you still open for dinner?” one of the gentleman asks in an Irish accent.
“We are. We don’t close for another two hours.” I smile at them. “You can sit at any table, and we can put a few together if you want.”
“These by the window would be nice.”
I help them arrange the tables in a way that’s comfortable for them. I can’t stop sneaking looks at one of the younger guys in the group. It’s not that he’s gorgeous…because he is. There’s just something that’s making me want to know him.
Ciarán
On our journey to Lake Renegade, we’ve made a stopover in Starlight Bay, Massachusetts. We’re staying here for a few days and then driving to Lake Renegade. The drive should take us two to three days, depending on how many stops we make.
Starlight Bay is a nice little town. We chose a pizza place for our first American meal. I’ve never really believed in love at first sight. But I’m a believer now. The woman that’s inside the pizza place…there’s something about her. I don’t even know her name yet. But I know I want to know her. I finally look at her name tag, it says ‘Emilia.’
“Hi! Welcome to Pi. I’m Emilia and I’ll be taking care of you tonight. That’s Frank in the kitchen.” We all look over and see an older man smiling and waving. We wave back. “Can I start you off with something to drink?”
We order drinks and start to look at the menu. I can’t help but watch Emilia. Aisling pokes me in my side.
“You’re kind of staring at Emilia,” she whispers.
“I can’t help it,” I whisper back.
I hear her giggle and I roll my eyes at her.
“How long are you all here in Starlight Bay?” Emilia asks.
“Only for a few days. It’s a really lovely town,” Mam says to her.
“Are you here on vacation?”
“We are. We stopped here in Starlight Bay on our way to Lake Renegade, Illinois.”
“I know Lake Renegade! I’m from Chicago.” She smiles.
“Our daughter and her family live in Lake Renegade.” Liam smiles.
“I love it there. My parents used to take us there on weekend drives. Precious Risings Bakery has the best pastries ever.”
Liam chuckles. “They do. Our daughter is one of the owners. I’ll be sure to tell her.”
“That’s so awesome. Whenever I go back home, we make sure to go and get some.”
We take a minute and introduce ourselves to Emilia. It’s crazy to think that we’ve just met someone who knows the town where our family lives. I need to get to know her.
“Do you get back to Chicago a lot?” I ask.
“I try to at least once or twice a year. Right now, my older sister is here visiting.”
“Do you have other siblings? Or is it just you and your sister?” áine asks.
“I have an older brother and a younger one.” Emilia smiles.
“Big families are awesome,” Aisling adds.
“How long have you been here in Starlight Bay?” I ask.
“It’s been three years now?—”
Emilia stops and frowns as we see a guy walk into the restaurant. He’s smiling at her and I don’t like it.
“Mia, you have to talk to me. I told you, Kali is just a friend, nothing more.”
“I’m not an idiot, John. And I’m also at work and I don’t have time to talk to you right now. Please leave. Go back to your fiancée and leave me alone.”
“I’ll come back when you’re closed.”
I stand up and walk over to Emilia and this John person.
“Are we still meeting up after you’re done tonight?” I ask her, stepping in front of John.
Emilia looks up at me. “Uh. Tonight?”
I take her hand. “You said you’d show me around the town. I know things are closed, but I still think it’ll be a nice time.”
“Of course.” She smiles.
“Food’s up!” Frank calls from the counter.
“Who the fuck are you? That’s my girl you’re talking to,” John says.
“She doesn’t look like your girl. In fact, I’m pretty sure I just heard her say she doesn’t want to talk to you.”
“You need to back off and walk away. She’s mine. Period.”
“I don’t think so. You will leave Emilia alone if you know what’s good for you.”
“Food’s on the table, Ciarán,” my daideó—grandpa — says, coming up behind me.
“You need to leave Emilia alone. If I hear of you bothering my grandson or Emilia again, we are going to have a conversation you won’t enjoy,” Daideó says to him.
The one thing I’ve learned while getting to know my daideó, you don’t argue with him. Back in Galway, he’s a legacy member with the Cimaruta MC. He and Fausto Bastianini are the founders of the MC. John frowns but walks out of the restaurant.
“If he gives you any more problems, let me know. Unless you want to talk to him. No man has the right to demand anything from a woman,” Daideó says to Emilia.
“Thank you.”
Emilia brings the rest of the food to our table. As we’re eating, we see a woman who looks like her walk in. I’m guessing that’s her sister. She sits down at a table and Emilia brings her a drink and some food. I watch my girl as she talks with her sister. I need to know who John is and why he’s saying she’s his.
When we’re done eating and getting ready to leave, I head over to Emilia.
“I’d still like to take that walk with you tonight.” I smile at her.
Emilia laughs. “You don’t have to, my sister is here and she hates John.”
“If you want to, I do too.” I say as I take her hand again.
“I would like that. I should be done closing up by twelve.”
“I’ll come back.”