18. Catriona
Eighteen
Catriona
“Catriona, are you coming out tonight?” Gemma holds her hands up defensively and continues before I can reply, “It’s payday and we’re all going. I’m not taking no for an answer this time. I insist! I owe you a drink for helping me out. Come for one and then, if you want, you can leave.”
I can’t help but smile at Gemma’s enthusiasm. It has been such a revelation to work with her the last few days – there’s so much more to her than I initially thought. She’s smart, eager to learn, enthusiastic and caring. I cringe thinking that I used to call her Cleavage Gemma in my head.
Our newfound friendship was cemented earlier this week when I talked Rian into letting Gemma – with supervision – handle the claim section of the O’Toole contract. It was a battle.
“I obviously don’t give you enough work if you think you have time to mentor Gemma as well,” he said.
“And you call yourself a leader, yet you don’t give your staff opportunity to develop?” I had responded.
But in the end, after a few more rounds of insults, Rian gave in. Of course, with a bucketful of threats of what would happen to me should Gemma mess things up.
None of the threats had included spanking…
In fact, we – again – act as if the second incident never happened.
Three days of pretending that everything is normal animosity and bickering between us.
All the pretending is exhausting. I feel like I’m walking a tightrope, constantly struggling to keep balanced, but expecting to be pushed off with just a puff of Rian’s breath.
“I actually do have plans tonight.”
Lifting a perfectly plucked eyebrow, Gemma stares me down, as much as she can, considering she’s a head shorter than me. “Let me hear. What are they?”
“My cousin is in town and I’m meeting up with him.”
Gemma throws her hands up in the air. “Perfect! Bring him along!”
She walks away before I can utter a single word. The case is apparently closed, and sure enough, later that evening, Eric and I walk into Doheny & Nesbitt’s on Baggot Street to meet my colleagues.
“We’re only staying for one drink, okay?”
Eric tugs a lock of my long hair and chuckles. “Yes, Cat, you’ve told me three times already.”
I elbow him, but the buff soldier doesn’t wince like he used to when we were kids. “I don’t see you often and this is probably our only chance to catch up, just the two of us.”
“I know. Don’t worry. One drink only.”
The familiar scent of beer that all old pubs have hits me the moment we step inside.
It’s busy but not packed, a mix of locals with their heads in a pint and tourists in bright raincoats precariously holding a pint of the black stuff while gazing at the walls covered by old photos in black frames, sports jerseys and county flags.
We’re spotted by Gemma who waves enthusiastically. She’s with Mona and Trevor around a tall table at the back. I take a steadying breath to stave off the nerves at being out socialising with my colleagues.
“Catriona, sooo glad you could make it. You look great!” Gemma exclaims as we reach the table.
I’m not wearing anything spectacular, but I guess the fitted jeans and pink sleeveless top are quite a difference from my usual drab and baggy work clothes.
I spent an unusually long time deciding what to wear, and hate thinking that Rian had anything to do with my indecision. I don’t even know if he’ll be here.
“Hello, everyone.” I clear my throat and try to soften my formal tone. “This is my cousin Eric. Eric, these are my co-workers, Gemma, Mona and Trevor.”
They all greet him, and Gemma all but giggles. “You look like a Viking and have the name to match.” A blush colours her cheeks.
Eric grins, runs fingers through his thick hair, the same colour as mine, and winks. “A direct descendent of the founders of this dirty old town.”
“Oh, please!” I huff and fight an eye roll.
“What can I get you, Catriona? A gin? I’m having a Dingle, it’s lovely. Do you want one?” Gemma has always been lively, but now she seems uncharacteristically flustered. She turns to Eric. “Catriona helped me at work, and I’ve promised her a drink to repay her. Can I get you one as well?”
“There’s no need, but I’ll join you at the bar.”
Gemma’s smile splits her face in two. It’s almost embarrassing to watch their instant gravitation to each other.
I clear my throat. “Sure, I’ll try the Dingle gin, please.”
Gemma manages to rip her eyes from my cousin for a second and singsongs, “For sure!”
“Wow, that was quick.” Mona widens her eyes while watching Eric guide Gemma to the bar with a hand on her shoulder.
“Yeah… Whether it’s love or lust at first sight, I don’t know, but it’s something.”
“Here, Catriona, have my seat,” Trevor offers, jumping off his stool. I try to refuse, but he insists. “You look really nice tonight. Did you do something with your hair?”
I shift uncomfortably as his gaze travels from said hair and down my body as I balance up on the stool.
“You mean, in addition to wearing it down? No, Trevor, I didn’t do anything to my hair, you’re just not used to seeing me outside of work.”
“Yes, it’s a real shame you don’t come out with us more often. You really should, you know.” His smile is so encouraging, I can’t help laughing. It’s a long time since anyone flirted with me. I could do worse than being on the receiving end of his interest.
Only I don’t date colleagues.
“I disagree.” Mona sports a pretend pout and dramatically tosses her sleek, black hair over her shoulder. “You clean up wa—ay too well, you’re going to take all the attention away from Gemma and me.”
“Come on, Mona,” Trevor counters and pushes his light brown hair away from his eyes. “Surely another hot bird around the table will only bring more attention to all of you?”
I scoff at being called a hot bird, but they continue their banter at my expense.
This is all new to me – being part of their group, allowing myself to be included.
While alternately laughing and cringing at their comments, my tense shoulders slowly soften.
Thankfully, my cousin and Gemma are soon back with the drinks and take the focus away from me.
“What do you work as?” Trevor addresses Eric. “Catriona said you’re only here for a short trip.”
“I work for the UN. As a peacekeeper in conflict areas.”
He says the words so nonchalantly, yet the hair on my neck rises. He loves his job, but I hate it.
“Oh, the UN! And peacekeeper! That explains the bulk.” Mona gestures to the t-shirt that’s stretched to contain Eric’s biceps.
I can hardly hold back a snort, but my laughter gets stuck in my throat when I hear a deep voice directly behind me.
“Now there you all are!”
A zap of heat sizzles down my back, and I slowly turn.
Rian stands there, tall and ridiculously handsome in a navy shirt rolled up to his elbows.
I wish it was Trevor’s boy-next-door good looks that caused the shivers down my back and not Mister-Sin-Incarnated with messy dark hair and eyes glinting.
Trevor also turns to the newcomer, creating a small gap between me and him that Rian steps into. He sets his pint of Guinness on the table, claiming the space and the attention of every cell in my body. Trevor frowns for a second, but shuffles to the side to give more room.
“Hi, Rian, good to see you.”
“You too, Trevor.” Rian nods then smiles at Mona and Gemma across the table. “Ladies, you both look exceptional tonight.”
They beam back.
“Oh, thank you, Rian.”
“Glad you could make it.”
My boss tilts his head and glances down at me through the corner of his eyes. I hold my breath. His lips curl into a smirk. “I’m surprised to see you out, Miss Taylor, I thought your ice castle had a curfew of seven thirty?”
My stomach falls. He didn’t comment on my looks.
How many times in the office has he made sarcastic remarks about my clothes, yet now, when I’m wearing what I think is a nice outfit, he remains silent.
Perhaps my budget clothes don’t measure up to his usual standard.
Alexandra’s creations are definitely not from Penneys or Dunnes.
I straighten my back and give him my usual cold glare.
“The curfew is lifted for very special occasions. Mr Kearney, this is Eric who’s in town for a couple of weeks.” I smile warmly up at Eric. Rian tenses. “He’s my cousin.” I can hear as much as feel Rian letting out a whoosh of air. “Eric, this is Rian Kearney, my boss.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr Kearney.” Eric extends his arm across the table.
Rian leans into me a bit more than needed to grab Eric’s hand.
The woodsy scent of his aftershave washes over me and reminds me of how close I was to him only a few days ago, when I had pressed my face against his neck.
Does he think about what we’ve done? Does he picture how aroused I was?
I nervously push a lock of my hair behind my ear, wondering if Rian can hear how my heart is pounding.
“Please, call me Rian.” Rian’s voice is friendly, so different from when he was talking to me. “So, you’re only visiting, where are you from, Eric?”
“Oh, I’m from Dublin, grew up next to this girl up in Finglas.” He nudges me.
“Finglas, right.” Rian nods slowly and his gaze flicks down at me for a short second.
I wince quietly. I don’t often offer up my origins – it’s not a great area and has a reputation to match.
That both Eric and I have managed to move away is by many viewed as an achievement.
An achievement that I’ve fought hard for.
I doubt Rian has ever set his designer leather shoes in that part of town.
“And where do you live these days?” my boss asks.
“I’m working for the UN, so wherever we’re needed. At the moment I’m based in the Middle East, but I’m on two weeks’ leave. It’s nice to have a chance to catch up with Cat and the rest of the family.”
“Are you staying with Catriona while you’re here?” Gemma asks.
“No, I’m staying with my brother, Daniel.”
“Your brother,” Mona says and flashes her lashes. “Does he by any chance look like you?”