Wild Irish Dreamer - Tricia O'Malley Page 0,36

across the bar and reach for a bottle of whiskey.

Liam’s mouth went dry as he watched the latex stretch across her bum. Turning, he plunged wildly into the dancers, grabbing someone at random and twirling around, allowing the music to drum out the beat of lust in his head.

“Well done, lad,” Dylan called as he bounced past Liam.

“I hate you for bringing me here,” Liam shouted.

“Nah, you’ll be fine. Drink up!” Dylan shoved a bottle of whiskey at him, one of many being passed through the crowd, and Dylan drank, not caring anymore what the night would bring, so long as he could drown out thoughts of Fi in that dress.

“Slainté, mate. This is going to be one hell of a wedding.”

Chapter 20

She’d switched to water. Probably for the best, Fi thought as she saw another woman make a fool of herself and throw herself into Liam’s arms. Turning, she washed glasses out of habit and tidied behind the bar.

“This is the best party,” Gracie gushed, leaning over the bar to smack a kiss on Fi’s cheek. “Thank you so much for throwing it for me.”

“It’s the best I could do in our little village since you refused to let me whisk you away for a weekend in France.”

“Bah.” Gracie waved that away with one hand. “Who needs France? I’ve got everything I need right here.”

“Do you?” Fi wondered, putting a glass down to lean her arms on the bar and look out at the dance floor where the DJ dutifully played on, though it was damn near three in the morning and people were dropping like flies.

“Of course. Do you see that?” Gracie gestured out to where Cait and Keelin swayed to a song together, and Dylan paraded Aislinn in a sloppy circle around the dance floor. “That’s love. All of them. Each powerfully unique, each magickal in their own right, and they’re all right here. There’s more excitement and magick in this roomful of people than in the whole world. Why do I need to leave to find that? My roots are here, yes, but so is so much beauty and wonder. I love living on the cliffs, and feeling the ocean’s heartbeat in the cove, and watching my plants grow and become part of healing potions for the world. I’m content here, Fi. I don’t need to race around the world to be happy.”

“I envy you that,” Fi sighed.

“You could have that. If you let yourself.” Gracie nodded toward Liam.

“My happiness should not be tied to a man. What kind of woman would I be if that was so?”

“I’m not saying it should be tied to a man. Men aren’t meant to be the answer to your happiness. But a partner – a good one – can enhance your life.”

“I think I’m good.” Fi shrugged.

“Are you? I wonder.”

“Now is not the time to wax philosophical, my love,” Fi said, gently putting her walls up.

“Ahh, if ever there was a time to get philosophical it’s at three in the morning after a dram or three of whiskey. The witching hour, Fi – it brings out great truths.”

“Drunks and children never lie,” Fi agreed.

Grace threw back her head and laughed. “I love you, Fi. Now I’m going to take my man out of here. I trust you’ll make sure Liam gets home safe?”

“Me? Why me? He’s got friends here,” Fi pouted.

“All of whom have women with other things on their mind.”

Fi looked up to see various couples slipping from the pub, arms thrown around each other and whispering into each other’s ears.

“Fine. I’ll make sure Liam gets safely home.”

“That’s a good lass. Have I told you I loved you today?”

“You have. Many a time. I’m happy for you, Gracie. Dylan’s a good man and I know you’ll have a beautiful life together.”

“Oh, and there’s herself trying to make me shed a wee tear at this hour,” Gracie said, squeezing Fi’s arm before retreating across the room to throw her arms around Dylan. The pickings were slim on the dance floor, and aside from Liam, Margaret and Sean, and her mum and da, everyone had slipped out the door. The DJ let the last song play out and everyone looked up at the silence that blanketed the room.

“Go on, all of you. I swear if I see any of ye trying to clean up I won’t come to Gracie’s wedding,” Cait threatened, switching into pub-owner mode and making shooing motions with her hands. Fi came around the bar to say