And then there’s the whole moving back to Jersey plan. Although she didn’t have the finances to go to any auditions there now, eventually she would try out again. Wasn’t that the plan? Land a part in a professional production, move back home, settle in with Conner and slowly but surely pick up her old life.
She sighed. Yesterday, when they had phone sex, she’d figured they had their fun, and that was that.But this stubborn man had to bring up things like her smile, as if he’d figured out what made her tick.
He demanded to take care of her and didn’t blink an eye, even turning her down while she sat buck naked in his bed. It gave her the impression he’d desired much more from her than she was offering. He may want her, but only on his terms. If he could getallof her.
“Whatcha thinkin’ lass?”
Errin pulled on a thread from the covers next to her leg. She had to pick her words wisely. She’s all too aware how Pops works: give him one finger and he would take her whole arm with it.
“I just don’t know, Pops. He’s your grandson and I—”
“He’s me boyo and I love him to death. Yer me Bunny lass and I love ye to piecesas well. Imma keep rootin’ for yous even though yer not there just yet. Just promise me to move it along a bit, I’m on me last leg here.”
Errin snorted and said, “Ah, don’t try toget any sympathy from me, old man. Nothing wrong with you, for sure.”
He smiled knowingly, as he often liked to complain about his age even though he’s as healthy as a horse, minus the cough.
“So, care to tell me what happened to ye?”
“I got fired from the kennel. I lost a job before, so it was nothing I haven’t been through, and I hated working at that stinking place… but I guess I’m a bit at a loss right now. I miss the rest of my family, but whenever I stay with my brothers, I miss my sisters and vice versa. Pfff, and the last time I danced.” She sighed. “I can’t even remember the last time I had a gig.”
Pops stroked his chin between his index finger and thumb while scrutinizing her ankle. “How long ye down for?”
“Just need to take things easy for a few more days. I needed that job at the kennel, so I went to work even though it wasn’t the brightest thing to do for my recovery. It backfired in my face. Now I’m out of work and my ankle is the size of a watermelon.”
He patted her leg. “To me, it shows yer work ethic is how it should be. Even though ye were down and out, ye still went in.”
She shrugged.
“I want ye to work here at Lucky, Bunny lass.”
She turned her head and snorted. “You’ve got to be joking.”
“Nah, not jokin’. Yer perfect for the job.” he waved his hand around the room as if it were ridiculous she didn’t see it.
She laughed,but he didn’t join her.
“Tell me how ye can’t hold ye own with any situation or any person who may come at ye while working the bar,” he said. “Tell me how ye hate to talk to random people, coming into the pub to share their life stories. Tell me how ye rather love a nine-to-five job, workin’ behind a desk. Hmm?”
She let his words sink in. She’d worked part-time behind a bar a few years back and had been good at it. She’d quit working there because she’d landed a part in a dance production and couldn’t combine the hours.
But working in the pub meant working alongside Brennan. And he was just the guy she wanted to avoid, at least for the foreseeable future.
Okay, she was staying here tonight and letting Brennan pamper her, as he’d called it. She wasn’t going to bother Kayla or Kate, feeling like the third wheel while they were with their boyfriends.
Nobody else was around in her apartment, so she figured why not? But after tonight, they would go their separate way again.
“It’s goin’ to work out fine. Imma talk with Sean Jr. and I’ll let ye recover for a few days. But then Brennan can work ye in behind the bar this Friday. Ye can start yer first shift on Saturday and start workin’ yer Bunny magic around here.”
She grinned at the Mills patriarch, knowing he was done with the subject. Whatever arguments she would bring to the table, he would sweep them all off. Working side by side with Brennan might not be sticking to her plan to avoid him after tonight. But with rent being due in three weeks' time, she figured she had to give this job a shot.
“Okay.”
Pops nodded in satisfaction.
“Thanks Pops.”
“Ah, no need thanking me, lass.” He patted her leg once more.