Chapter2
Ember
The sun sneaks through the clouds, briefly illuminating me as I step out of the Dublin airport and onto the sidewalk. Cars move by on the street while people fill the sidewalks. My stomach churns, and my chest tightens as the voice in the back of my head telling me this was a huge mistake, that I need to turn around and go home, grows louder.
No.I deserve this trip. My entire life, I’ve erred on the side of caution and done what was expected of me. This is my time to be reckless, to do whatever the hell I want.
Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?
After scanning the cars parked, drivers standing outside with signs, and seeing that my ride has yet to arrive—thank you, early gate arrival—I move off to the side and set my carry-on down so I can slip my bright yellow sweatshirt off and over my head.
I get a few weird looks after I shove it into my suitcase, but I’m guessing that’s probably due to the fifty-degree weather and the fact that I’m now rocking a t-shirt boasting a chicken and the words,What’s up mother cluckers.A gift from Amber who’d recently ventured into the hobby of screen printing.
Speaking of...I withdraw my cell phone and connect myself to the guest Wi-Fi, then Facetime audio my friends back home.
Amber answers on the first ring. “Hey! Guys, it’s Ember.”
“Put her on speaker.” Wally’s request makes me smile.
“You’re on speaker. We’re all chowing down on some lunch. How are you?”
“I’m good. It’s really beautiful here.”
“Have you made it to your room yet?”
I shake my head even though they can’t see me. “Not yet, waiting on my ride.”
“So you’re still at the airport?”
“I am.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Good, actually. I think the fresh air is good for me. It’s cooler here, too.”
“Maybe the trip is exactly what you need to come back refreshed,” Heather says into the phone.
“Maybe.” A black town car pulls up in front of the airport, and a man gets out with a sign that readsEmber Hall. “There’s my ride now. Call you guys when I get to my hotel.”
“Okay, girl, talk soon.” The call ends just as he’s approaching me.
“Are you Ember?” His accent is thick, and I know it’s silly, but it only increases my excitement. Wearing dark wash jeans and a sweatshirt, he looks more like a grad student and less like a professional driver.
A very attractive grad student, I add to myself when I get a closer look at his sharp features. “I am.” I smile, suddenly feeling very underdressed.
“I’m Sullivan,” he says as he reaches down and retrieves my bag, then gestures toward his car.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” He opens the door for me, and I slide onto a warm leather seat. The heavy scent of pine fills my lungs as he closes me inside and puts my bag into the back. When he climbs into the driver’s side, he glances over at me and smiles. “This your first time in Ireland?”
“Yeah.”
“And how’s the impression been so far?” He pulls out onto the street. I grip the strap of my messenger bag as I fight the urge to shut my eyes while he merges into traffic. I really didn’t think it would bother me being on the opposite side of the car…but here we are.
Sullivan chuckles knowingly. “I take it you’re going to need some time to get used to being on that side of the vehicle.”
“You could say that. It’s been good, by the way. The impression.”