I shrug. “Hey, you don’t look it now.” I glance down at his green get up. “Right now, you look like a leprechaun.”
He peers down at my green tutu. “And you look like a silly fairy.” But then he looks up at me and winks. “A cute one, by the way.” We watch the people walk by on the street and they’re all having such a grand ole time. It’s easy to get lost in the appeal. Feels like it’s been forever since I’ve let loose and had fun.
Kellan leans back in his chair. “So, tell me about yourself. What’s changed since the last time I saw you?”
I shrug. “Not much. Got older and left town.”
His brows lift curiously. “Dating anyone?”
“No,” I reply, shaking my head. “I was seeing someone a few months ago, but it didn’t work out. We really didn’t have anything in common. He was all into trail riding on his bike and I just couldn’t get into it. I tried once and broke my wrist.”
Kellan snorts. “And did he wear that girly looking spandex shit?”
The thought makes me smile. “Yep, but he wasn’t very masculine to begin with. Maybe that’s why I really wasn’t attracted to him. Not that I need a man to protect me, but it’d be nice to have someone who could defend my honor if need be.” I roll my eyes. “Okay, I must really be drunk to say crap like that.”
He smirks. “I get it. A woman should feel protected when she’s with her man.”
The door opens and Stewart steps out. “There you both are,” he says, looking concerned.
Kellan stands and I do the same. “Is everything okay?”
Stewart sighs. “I think Hallie’s had too much to drink. She’s sick so we’re going to head back to the house. The limo should be here in five minutes.”
I nod. “We’ll be there.”
Usually, I’d want the night to end, but I don’t want it to now. Plus, I don’t want to go home. My mother will still be awake and all too ready to finish her conversation about how I need to get busy with my life and find a husband. And if I don’t, she’ll handle it for me. My goal was to not go home until I knew she was asleep.
“What’s wrong?” Kellan asks.
With a heavy sigh, I meet his gaze. “I don’t want to go home just yet.”
He shrugs. “Then don’t. You can come with me and I’ll take you home later.”
The thought tempts me, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not. I trust Kellan not to do anything stupid, but the problem is me. I’m the one I need to worry about.
“Are you sure?” I ask, second guessing myself, but then he opens his lips and talks to me in that sexy Irish brogue.
“Come on, lassie. It’ll be fine.”
How can I say no to that?
As luck would have it, everyone is dropped off, leaving me and Kellan for last. It, at least, saves me from having to explain to everyone why I’m getting out with Kellan. The last thing I want is Hannah and Hallie knowing and saying something around my mother. I’ll never hear the end of it, and neither would Kellan. She’ll be all over him like a leprechaun with gold coins.
The limo stops at his apartment complex and we both get out. Gaze narrowed, I look around at the area. It’s nowhere near the ritzy part of New York City, but it’s also not the worst. Kellan didn’t grow up with a bunch of money. I look at him and he holds his hands in the air. “I know, I know, it’s not the fanciest place on the block, but …”
I smile. “But you’re not the type to show off your money.” Because even though he didn’t have money growing up, I know he has it now.
His lips tilt slightly. “What can I say? I’m not the type to want more than I need.”
And that’s what made him different from the rest. He’s not like Stewart, even though they’re best friends. Stewart is a nice guy, but he still has that pretentious way about him just like Hallie and Hannah, and the rest of my family, especially my mother. Kellan is different and that’s what makes him special. We needed someone in the group like him. The group. I say it as if I’m still a part of it, but I haven’t been in a long time. Seeing everyone today made me realize how much I missed being a part of something. Don’t get me wrong, I have friends in Arizona, but there’s something missing.
Kellan gently cups my elbow. “You okay?”
I shake my head, but end up swaying on my feet. “Yeah, just a little caught up in my thoughts. Alcohol does that to me sometimes.”