Tom doesn’t say anything, just sits and listens.
I know who Shawn gets his listening skills from.
“I know it makes me sound horrible, but I’ve had a physical relationship with your son while I’ve been here.”
“Why is that a horrible thing, Lexi?”
I shrug a shoulder. “Because it’s not a long-term relationship. We established that in the beginning.”
“Well, if you’re both of the same mind, I don’t see what the problem is.”
I purse my lips, thinking it over. “I didn’t see a problem with it either, until I met you. Now, I suddenly feel guilty.”
“Because he has parents?”
I laugh. “It sounds ridiculous when you say it.”
“I assume you have a ma and da, as well.”
“I do. My mom is in Minnesota. I lost my father a few years ago.”
“I’m deeply sorry for that. Are you close to your mother?”
“I am, yes. She’s pretty great.”
“I’m sure she is, if she raised the lovely woman standing before me.”
“I know exactly where your sons get their charm,” I say with a laugh. “And they all look just like you.”
“But my girls are the spitting image of their mother, and I thank the good Lord for that every morning.”
“You have a beautiful family, Tom. And I’ve enjoyed meeting and getting to know all of them.”
“They’re a special lot of people, and that’s the truth of it. And so are you, Lexi, my dear.”
I smile, feeling all lit up inside from the kind compliment from this man who could be my own father.
“Thank you.”
“What are you planning to do today?” he asks.
“Not fishing,” I say, shaking my head. “I don’t want to do that again.”
“Good. I hate it myself. Let’s go for a little walk, shall we?”
“I’d like that.”
Chapter 14
~Shawn~
She isn’t even gone yet, and we’re throwing a bloody going away party for her.
I’m not ready.
I don’t like it.
I’m just not ready to say goodbye. I’ve grown used to having Lex around. And let’s be honest, the sex is out of this damn world.
But it’s time for her to get back to her life. We just got back from the cabin a couple of hours ago and brought my parents with us. Because it’s a quiet Sunday evening, Keegan decided to shut down for customers, and we’re celebrating Ma and Da being here, and wishing Lexi well on her journey home on Tuesday.
I have one more day with her tomorrow, reading through the script one last time before I send it off to Luke.
“I’m making nachos and burgers for everyone,” Maggie announces. “Along with some bowls of stew. Are there any other requests?”
“I can help you,” Lexi offers, but everyone shakes their heads.
“No way, lass,” Keegan says with a wink. “You keep that arse planted on the stool. Your only job this evening is to enjoy yourself.”
“I’d enjoy myself more if there was music,” she says, glancing around. “And I know most of you can sing and play an instrument.”
“Not me,” Kane replies, shaking his head. “I’ve not a tune in my body.”
“That’s not true,” Stasia says. “You have a lovely voice.”
“Hush,” he says and leans over to kiss his wife.
Maeve and Keegan start singing Molly Malone. Maggie pushes through the swinging kitchen door, carrying a tray full of food that she sets on the bar. She sings with the others for a bit, and then disappears again to load her platter once more.
“This is fun,” Lexi says to me. “Why don’t you sing?”
“Why don’t you sing?”
“Because I want all of you to stay,” she replies immediately.
Rather than sing along with Keegan and Maeve, I pull Lexi into a dance around the hardwood floor. Her blue eyes sparkle as she follows my lead, and when the song is over, I whisk her back to her seat at the bar.
“You guys know how to throw a party,” she says with a laugh and then sips her Guinness. “I was never a beer person until I came here.”
“Guinness isn’t just a beer,” Da says. “And it has to be poured correctly.”
“Oh, Keegan has schooled me in all things Guinness,” Lexi says with a nod. “So I’d better have a couple while I’m still here because I doubt I’ll be able to find a good pint of it in Minneapolis.”
“You’re a smart girl, Lexi,” Da says. “Are you sure you can’t stay longer?”
I watch her carefully. Lexi swallows her stout and licks her lips.
“I do need to get home. My mom’s been looking in on my condo and stuff, but it’s not the same as me being there.”
“That’s true,” Ma says. “I’m sure it’ll be nice to get back to your own life.”
Lexi nods, and Kane leaves the bar for a moment, then returns carrying a box.
“We wanted to send you home with something to remember us,” Kane says and offers her the box.
“You guys did not have to get me a gift.”
“We wanted to,” Maggie says as she sets a bowl of stew in front of Da. “We’re going to miss having you here, Lexi. And not only because you’re so good in the kitchen.”
Lexi grins and dives into the box, pulling the red ribbon free. When she parts the white tissue paper, she gasps.
“Oh my God. Kane, did you make this?”
She pulls a royal blue glass vase out of the box and turns it over in her hands.
“I did,” my brother says. “The color reminded me of your eyes. And you said before that you fancied the vase in Shawn’s house, so I thought you might like one, as well.”
“Are you kidding? I’ll never want to touch it for fear of breaking it. This is an incredible work of art. And a wonderful gift. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Kane says. “It’s from the whole family, although no one but me was sweating bullets over it in the barn, I’ll tell you that.”
“He’s so gracious,” Maeve says, rolling her eyes.
I round the bar and get to work building my own Guinness when Keegan joins me. We’re down from where everyone else is gathered, admiring Kane’s vase.
“Are you really just going to let her go?” Keegan asks me.
“Of course. She has a life in Minneapolis.”
“I see the way you look at her.”
“And how is that?”
“Like you’re a lovesick puppy.”
I laugh and set my glass aside to settle. “Well, you’re dead wrong about that. I’m not in love with her. I do enjoy her, and I admire her. And I won’t lie and tell you the physical aspect of our relationship hasn’t been mutually satisfying. But I’ll gladly put her on that plane on Tuesday and be perfectly fine with it.”
The words are like sand in my mouth. I believe them. It’s the absolute truth.
So, why does it feel wrong?