I push my way into O’Callaghan’s Pub and feel the grin spread over my face. It’s as if someone picked up a pub from Ireland and slapped it down right here in Washington.
I make my way through the people seated at tables, listening to the musicians playing on the small stage in the corner, and find an empty stool at the bar.
I sit and turn to take it all in.
There’s dancing and drinking, and plenty of food.
It smells like heaven.
“And what is it I can do for you?”
I turn at the Irish accent and find a man, roughly my age, waiting behind the bar.
“A Guinness,” I say. “And a menu.”
“Coming up,” he replies as he passes me a menu and reaches for a clean glass to start building my drink. “So, tell me. What is Hunter Meyers doing in my pub?”
I grin. “I’m in town for a couple of days, looking around. I’m a fan of Irish pubs, so if the food is as good as it is across the pond, I’ll probably be in here every day.”
“It’s better.” He winks at me and pushes the glass my way.
I order the chicken wings and fries, plan to run an extra two miles tomorrow, and sit back to enjoy the show. A few people glance my way, but no one really pays me any mind, and I relax.
I don’t mind talking with fans, but it’s also nice to feel a little anonymous, to just sit back and enjoy.
Three waitresses make their way through the busy bar. Two redheads and a blonde.
The blonde looks familiar, but I can’t place her.
Suddenly, both of the redheads—they must be sisters—jump up on the stage and start singing with the band, a lively Irish number that I’ve heard a few times before.
But never quite like this.
When the one with the darker auburn hair laughs and jumps down off the stage to heft her tray and make her way to the bar, I feel my stomach tighten.
That thick hair is tied up in a messy pile on the top of her head. Her green eyes shine as she laughs and chats with her customers, making her way toward me, weaving through tables and bodies.
She has an hourglass figure with a tiny waist, but hips and tits that would make the gods weep. And when she glances my way, and those Irish eyes meet mine, my world tilts on its axis.
“You’re new,” she says playfully, with a wink. “But I see my brother set you up already with a Guinness. Did you order food?”
“I did.”
She nods. “If he slacks off, give me a wave and I’ll help you out.”
“Here’s to hoping he slacks off.” I grin at her, pleased when that smile spreads easily over her gorgeous face. “Nothing against your brother, he seems like a nice guy, but I’d much rather have the attention of a gorgeous woman.”
“My sisters are around here somewhere.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You. I’d rather it were you.”
“Well, isn’t it handy then that I’ll be here all night?”
And with that, she’s off and running again.
I sip my beer, enjoying the atmosphere of O’Callaghan’s. My eyes keep drifting back to the gorgeous redhead with the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen. I’ve been too busy lately to take much interest in a woman. I have plenty on my plate as it is.
But there’s something about this woman that’s grabbed my interest.
“You went for the wings,” she says as she delivers my food. She sets the basket in front of me and nods toward it with a smile. “A good choice.”
“What’s your favorite thing on the menu?”
“The stew.” She winks, and then she’s gone again, but I notice, as I eat, that she lets her gaze wander my way as she hustles back and forth between her tables.
I’m surprised when I take my first bite of dinner. The bartender was right. It’s better than I’ve had before.
“Need anything?” My waitress asks and props her hands on her hips, which only makes her T-shirt stretch enticingly over her breasts. “More napkins? Another beer? My phone number?”
I laugh, but I find myself nodding. “I’ll take all three.”
“Coming right up.” She winks and hurries behind the bar to pass me napkins. “Keegan, this handsome man needs another beer.”
She pulls one of the napkins off the top and jots down her number, then passes it to me.
“I’m not one for handing out my number,” she says and tucks a stray hair behind her ear. “Just to make that clear.”
“Why me?” I fold the napkin without even glancing at it and tuck it in my jeans. I fully intend to use it while I’m here.
But instead of answering, she just winks and gives me a sassy grin, then she’s off to check on her tables.
Yes, the island looks promising.
Chapter 2