“No, it’s not terrible. What’s terrible is Damien throwin’ a wobbler ‘cause he isn’t gettin’ his way.”
“That exactly what I said to ‘im!”
“How’d he take it?”
“He had an attitude, then left for work.” I huffed. “He’s put me in a foul mood.”
“He’ll come home grovellin’ for your forgiveness.” Bronagh snorted. “That man is so in love with ye’ he can’t stand when you’re mad at ‘im.”
“I wish he wasn’t as grouchy.”
“Babe, you’ve got the calm twin. Imagine how I feel.”
“Please.” I snorted. “It’s Nico I feel sorry for when ye’ both argue. You’re a nightmare.”
“Hey,” Bronagh jokingly quipped. “I’m a lot more mellow than I used to be.”
“Since you had Georgie,” I agreed. “But ye’ can also be a total mama bear, so I’m not sure if mellow is the right word.”
“Bitch.”
I chuckled. “Do ye’ want to go to the village for somethin’ to eat? I’d murder a breakfast roll.”
“Oh, hell yeah. I want two of them.”
Commenting on how bad two full-size breakfast rolls would be on her body would most likely result in my death, so I kept my mouth shut.
“I’ll swing by and get ye’ in ten minutes.”
“Deal. Me and Georgie will be ready. Beep when you’re outside.”
After I hung up with Bronagh, I got changed into a knee-length sky blue dress with black sandals and tied my hair up into a high ponytail. It was early June, and things were hotter than usual for this time of the year … or for Ireland, in general. It was only ten a.m., and it was twenty-six degrees outside with no clouds in sight. It was roasting, and summer had only just started. It was like all my Christmases came at once. After I made sure that Barbara had food, water, and free run of my apartment, I left with my side bag and keys in hand. When I exited the elevator in the lobby, I groaned out loud when I saw two men walking towards me.
“Well, well, well … aren’t you lookin’ good enough to eat.”
I raised a brow at Dante Collins and rolled my eyes.
“Damien will lynch ye’ if he hears ye’ sayin’ stuff like that to me.”
“He can try.”
Dante’s grin told me that he was only teasing, but I still had to warn him to knock it off. The last thing I needed was for Damien and him to fight again. The last time resulted in bruises and sore egos, and I did not want to deal with either. Assuring Damien that my four-month fling with Dante was nothing for him to worry about took time, and Dante knew that, which was why he got a kick out of tormenting me. As I stared at Dante, I thought back to when I had a discussion with him on the phone a few months ago about how that day panned out.
“I want to apologise.”
“For what?”
“For how I spoke about you in the garage back when you and Damien got together a few weeks ago... and I’m also sorry for smackin’ your arse.”
I grunted as I adjusted my phone against my ears. “Continue.”
“I’m sick with meself for talkin’ about ye’ like ye’ were an object and treatin’ ye’ the way I did, and in front of the lads, too.”
“Why are ye’ bringin’ this up now?” I asked. “It’s been ages since that happened.”
“I know, but I never apologised for it.”
“I won’t lie. It did hurt me feelin’s.”
“I know … I just … me own feelin’s were hurt.”
I blinked. “Yours?”
“Yeah,” Dante continued. “I guess I was a little … jealous.”
“Jealous?”
“Of Damien.”
“Why?” I asked, shocked. “Why would you be jealous of ‘im?”
“Because he had you.”
My heart stopped. “Date.”
“Don’t freak out. I’m not in love with ye’ … I just could have been, ye’ know? I really liked ye’.”
This was entirely new information.
I sat down. “I never intended to lead ye’ on. I swear.”
“Babe, I know that. Ye’ were upfront with me. I just caught a few feelin’s, and that’s not your fault. Don’t worry, though, we’re square now. You’re happy, and I’m happy for ye’.”
“We have to get ye’ a girlfriend, so ye’ can be just as happy as me.”
“Leave me be, woman.” Dante laughed. “I have many women to tumble with under me bed sheets before I settle down. Not every woman can tame me like you can.”
“Ye’d be surprised.” I snorted. “It’s the quiet ones ye’ have to watch out for.”
I came back to the present and grinned at Dante.
“When ye’ get a girlfriend, I’m gonna tell ‘er all the things ye’ did to me just to piss ye’ off when ye’ have to calm ‘er down when she gets jealous.”
“Piss me off or turn me on?”
I swiped at him, but he jumped out of my reach, chuckling.
“I’m only jokin’, me and Damien are square … he knows we’re only mates.”