Chapter 31
POV: Liam
Maeve insisted on finishing up writing the rest of her book inside the pub. She said that the ’vibes’ were better there.
I guess it must be an American thing to write a novel in a European pub.
For the last five hours, she barely glanced up from her computer twice. She was running on fumes by now—lukewarm coffee and Irish soda bread crumbs.
As I wiped the bar counter top down and admired her in the distance, she was typing away like a madman.
But even though she could’ve passed for mentally unstable right now—the sight of her was beautiful. Because she was the type of girl that was beautiful without even trying.
Blonde Irish curls cascaded down her backside and bounced as she typed and a look of pure determination was set on her face.
I continued staring at her, watching as she crinkled her nose before she took a small break to inhale another sip of coffee.
A laugh echoed from behind me and I turned to see who it belonged to.
Caitlin.
I rolled my eyes and went back to wiping down the counter top.
“You’ve got it bad or—” Caitlin blinked, her eyebrows lifting as realization dawned.
I tried to drown her out but unfortunately I couldn’t. “But nothing, Caitlin.”
“Oh so this time it’s for keeps?” she joked, pointing at Maeve.
I nodded, smiling as I did and not looking up from the counter top.
“Wait, you’re actually…serious,” Caitlin replied, shocked.
I glanced sideways at her then placed the towel down. “I’m serious, Cait. I’m not playing games with her.”
“Wow,” she smiled, patting me on the back. “I didn’t think I’d see the day that you actually meant that. But I’m happy for you, Liam. Maeve’s a good one—she seems right for you and she’ll definitely keep you in line.”
I laughed and nodded.
Caitlin was right. I needed someone just as stubborn as I was, and Maeve was definitely that. She wasn’t going to let me get off easy.
“So when’s the big day?” Caitlin teased, poking my side.
Now, that question I wasn’t expecting.
I gave her another look, that said, enough already.
But she still kept going.
She continued, “If you’re this into her then that’s the only reasonable question. When’s the proposal?”
Shit, she was right.
And I’ve thought about it before.
Instead, like the fool I was, I stood there staring at Maeve, the thought of asking her to marry me running through my mind.
Could I build up that kind of courage? Could I take that risk? What if she said no?
“Stop thinking,” Caitlin went on, forcing me out of my thoughts. “She won’t say no.”
I shook my head, conflicted. “You don’t know that, Caitlin. This is all so…new, and…”
“And nothing,” she replied, smiling, patting me on the back again. “And you’re perfect for each other. And for the first time in a long time, you’ve let your walls come down to invite love in again. That’s what matters, Liam.”
She was right.
That’s what did matter.
I blew out a breath. “I guess I could stop by McDougall’s and check out some rings—but you have to come with me.”
Her brow crinkled, a new idea clearly forming. Without saying anything, she walked off, leaving me confused and within 5 minutes she returned, a velvet blue bag in hand, before pressing it into my palm.
“What’s this?” I asked, looking down at the bag.
She beamed. “Mom’s ring.”
I stared down at the velvet bag in shock. “Caitlin—”
Her voice softened. “She’d want you to have it, Liam.”
I closed my palm around the bag and felt the small metal objects outline within my hand.
I sucked in another deep breath, one that would hopefully bring me strength instead of fear, then turned my gaze back towards Caitlin. “Are you certain?”
Caitlin nodded, clasping her hand on top of mine. “Mom only gave it to me because she thought I’d be forever alone,” she teased. “But seriously, Liam…Maeve would love it. She strikes me as the type of girl who likes vintage things and actually appreciates them. Mom would’ve loved her.”
I smiled, tears building beneath my eyes. “You’re right. I know she would have.”
Caitlin gave me a look, a look that read—don’t go soft on me now then said, “So, now all that’s left is you planning the most picture perfect proposal! Make sure to set up a tripod camera or something!” she cooed, clapping her hands together and wandering off to the other side of the bar to serve the new customers.
With shaky hands I held the bag tighter before tucking it inside my pants pocket and looking towards Maeve again.
And in that moment I realized…
I knew just the place.
The pub’s local band began setting up for the evening, fiddle, guitar and all. Their fiddler, Patrick, gave me a wave as I walked over.
I wasn’t much for requests, but for her, I would do just about anything.
“Would you mind dedicating a song to someone for me?”
Patrick gave me a wide smile. “Liam O’Rourke wants a song dedicated?” He cocked an eyebrow.
I nodded as my gaze wandered back to her.
“Must be love,” he gave me a nod, referring to Maeve.
“It is,” I said easily. “Any song. Just make sure it’s dedicated to Maeve O’Connell.”
He nodded, shaking my hand. “Anything for a man in love.”
I shook my head, smiling as I walked back towards the bar.
Maeve was still in her trance, typing away at a rapid pace luckily.
After the band played an opening song and the crowd went wild cheering and clapping, Patrick walked over to the microphone, glancing at Maeve and I as he did.
“I’ve got a special request up next—for two young lovers! Is there a Maeve O’Connell at the Crow’s Nest tonight?” he called out.
Maeve froze, looking up from her laptop, a bewildered look on her face.
I shot her a smile.
In turn, she shot me a glare.
Wave, I mouthed to her.
“Maeve O’Connell?” Patrick called out again.
Maeve’s cheeks reddened as she gave a small wave.
“There she is! And oh, is she an Irish beauty! I can see why Liam O’Rourke is enchanted!” Patrick went on. “Maeve this ballad is for you.” Then he started strumming his fiddle.
Maeve got to her feet and walked over to me, leaving her work behind and accosting me behind the bar. “That wasn’t funny, Liam O’Rourke.”
I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into me and against my chest. She tried to squirm out of my grip but it was of no use.
“Stop being stubborn,” I teased, pressing a kiss onto the top of her head.
“Stop embarrassing me,” she told me.
“I didn’t embarrass you, love.”
She gave me a look but her eyes softened. “I guess it was sort of cute.”
“Like one of your novels,” I teased, looking down at her.
She laughed, “you wish. But it was sweet.”
I knew the entire bar was staring at us now but I didn’t care.
“Well, you’re my girl, Maeve O’Connell and I mean it.”
“There’s no escaping now,” she teased.
And in that moment, my heart skipped a beat. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“You better not,” she winked, then pushed herself to her tiptoes to kiss me.
Our lips met and cheers exploded around us in celebration. And when they parted, we looked out at the crowd with wide smiles on our faces.
I held her close against me, and that’s when the truth really sank in.
We were in love. I had just professed my love to the entire town. This was it.
Now all that’s left is dreaming up the perfect proposal.