“I always saw myself as a wife and mom. I am not particularly close to my parents, as I am sure you could tell. My grandmother, though, she showed me what unconditional love is supposed to look like, and I have always just wanted to have a family of my own and get it right. I want to have a little girl who cooks with me in the kitchen and feels comfortable enough to confide her dreams to me. I want a little boy who looks like his father and protects his mom and sister because that is what he has seen his father do.” I can hear the wistfulness in my own voice, and I can picture everything in my mind and heart, and crazy enough, I can see him as the man.
“And your husband…what do you see for him?” I cock my head and look at him for a second, wondering about the panic I can hear in his voice as he asks me. It sounds like it is also rage, but that can’t be right.
“I always pictured myself with a husband who would not want to be away from his family. He would cherish the life we have built and be insatiable when it comes to me.” His hand squeezes mine when I say that, and I try to swallow the desire he has stoked in me.
“Any prospects?” I feel a bit triumphant at the jealousy, and I want to tell him he doesn’t have to be jealous. It can be him, if he would stay put, but I don’t. I simply give him something to think about.
“There could be, but I don’t know yet.” His eyes meet mine, holding me in place and I am once again lost. Stopping, he turns and puts his hand around my neck. He places his mouth over mine, and together, we taste like an Oreo cookie sandwich and chocolate. My tongue tangles with his as he pulls me further into him, my other hand still holding the stupid cone.
“Christ, I can’t get enough of your mouth.” He says before attacking mine once again. The combination of the cold and the kissing makes us both lose our breath, and we pull back, gasping, foreheads together.
“Wow.” I gasp, touching my lips.
“Yeah, I know. Come on. Let’s finish walking.” He takes my hand again, and we continue our stroll.
“So what about you. Are you and your family close?” I am eager to find out if there is anything in his life that says he and I are a possibility.
“Yeah, I guess you could say that. My older brother Cillian is a lawyer in Florida for some big-time law firm. He doesn’t get home often, but we video call when we can. My little sister Aisling, well, she is the real mystery. We don’t really know what she does, but she lives in Georgia.”
“So none of you are married or have kids?”
“Nope.”
“You really love your job, don’t you?”
“I do.” Could he love me more?
“Everyone should do what they love and have the life they want. Which is why I refuse to settle for anything less than what I want.” Quietness covers us after that, and before I know it, we are back at my parents’ house.
“This went by too fast. Can I see you tomorrow?” I can see the pleading in his eyes, and I want more than anything to say yes. Even though I don’t say no, I voice my concern.
“For what? Where can this go?” You are still leaving.
Chapter Nine
Liam
Shit. Hanging up the phone, I look at it offensively like it has done something to me, but I can’t blame the phone. The manager of the resort I was staying at called to tell me that everything would be in working order in the next three days, which means the shoot will be happening on day four. A few days ago, I couldn’t wait to get there. Now, I am anything but thrilled. I know I am going to have to make a decision because Orla deserves that and more. When I am in front of her, there is nothing I want more than to give up everything and be everything she wants and needs. But in the light of day, alone with my thoughts, I doubt my decision and not because of her. No. She is perfect in every way. I am not sure I would be good at the sitting still thing. What if I try it and then begin to resent her and our children? I don’t want that for either of us.
Crap. Looking at the clock, I see I have thirty minutes to get to her parents’ house to pick her up for our mini-golfing date. She tried to decline, citing reasons that are valid and that I think of every day, but any chance I get to spend with her, I am taking. She had an appointment earlier today and then some sort of meeting for her grandmother, so it turned into an evening at the mini-golf course, which is fine by me.