Chapter Twenty-Five
Connor
We moved into our new house on a mild summer day.
Fallon settled in well. She spent most of her time in the library or the new king-size, four-post bed with me.
We only had two weeks until our wedding, and things were falling into place. The prenuptial contract was signed. The church booked. Invitations sent out to the few people we invited. But I knew something was missing, and I made plans to change that.
Closing the door to my office at work, I glanced at my watch. We had about an hour left in the work day, so it was late morning in America. I didn’t know how much Fallon’s Nana was up on technology, which was why I had Leah help her the night of the proposal. But now I needed to talk to the old woman alone.
I stared at my phone and listened to the low rings. I thought maybe she wasn’t going to answer and I’d have to do a little bit of digging to see if I could call the nursing home.
As if she knew I was about to give up, she finally appeared on the screen.
“Hello? Fallon? Is that you honey?” Nana sat in a hospital-like bed with the headrest up. She reached somewhere off the screen and put a pair of wire-rimmed glasses over her eyes.
The first time I saw the woman on the screen, I knew she was older, with her long wrinkle lines and gray hair. But she still had a spark to her. Today, that spark was gone, new darker bags under her eyes and an overall sallow look to her skin.
She blinked then raised her eyebrows. “You aren’t Fallon.”
I smiled. “No, ma’am, I’m Connor, your granddaughter’s fiancé.”
“Oh, Conner, sorry honey. I was just dozing off there. Didn’t expect a call. Especially not from you. Is everything okay? Is Fallon all right?” she asked, worry crinkling her forehead.
I nodded, guilt riddling my stomach. “She’s grand. A little overwhelmed with wedding planning, but grand nonetheless.”
Nana smiled, but it was a sad smile. “Ah, yes. I did receive that invitation. Sorry, I haven’t RSVPed, but Fallon understands…”
“Do you want to come to the wedding, ma’am?” I asked.
She laughed slightly. “No need to use that ‘ma’am’ nonsense. Call me Nana.”
I smiled, a comfortable warmth trickling through my arms and stomach. “Okay. Nana, do you want to come to the wedding? I can do whatever is necessary to make sure you see your granddaughter walk down the aisle.”
Did she know about Fallon’s and my arrangement? I never had Fallon sign a non-disclosure agreement, figuring it was in our interests to keep everything looking legit. So we kept up appearances for everyone in public, but behind closed doors, nothing changed, either. The lines were blurring between what was real and what was fake. Most days I had to put that in the back of my mind so I wouldn’t second-guess what we were doing.
Nana shook her head. “No, honey. You don’t need to do that. Unlike my son or daughter-in-law, I’m not expecting anything. I’m just the grandmother. The one Fallon worries too much about. But you know, she’s always been so good to me. I wouldn’t be here if she didn’t apply for those scholarships or whatever she called them so I could stay here.”
“Scholarships?” I raised my eyebrows.
She nodded. “Yes. When my dialysis treatments started to take over most of my social security and Medicare, I didn’t have much money left for any living expenses, let alone the energy to take care of myself. But my smart granddaughter, she told me she found a scholarship for older women with osteoporosis and kidney problems to help pay their living expenses.”
Fallon had trouble accepting any gifts from me, insisting she had to work or do something for them. I wondered if Nana was the same way. If the only way she’d let Fallon take care of her was if she didn’t know where the money was coming from. I couldn’t let this sweet woman be thrown out on the streets. Reassurance that I was doing the right thing swept through me. Glad that Fallon agreed to let me set up a trust for the woman.
“Well, since those expenses are paid for, I’d love it if you’d let me help you get to Ireland for the wedding. It would be my gift to Fallon.”
She pursed her lips together. “I don’t know. I have so much medication, and it would have to be a short trip between dialysis, one I’m not even sure I could make alone.”
“Would you need a nurse?”
She shook her head. “No, I think I could manage with just someone to help me.”
“Would you trust Fallon’s parents to help you?”
She blinked. “Well, my son may be a real piece of work, but I think he would help his Mom out. He probably wants to see his daughter get married, too. He was here the other day, you know. He told me that Fallon and her mom have always been on the outs, but he does want to see her walk down the aisle.”
This would be Fallon’s first wedding. Something tightened my chest.
This could be the only wedding her Nana would see, and maybe even her parents, if their relationship didn’t improve. This was all real to them. Perhaps I shouldn’t have gotten in the middle of all of this, but now there was no way I could stop myself.
“I’ll arrange for the three of you to come in. Just tell me what days work best for you.”
She shook her head. “You really don’t have to do any of this.”
I smiled. “But I want to.”
“I can see why my granddaughter loves you so much.”
I swallowed, trying not to focus on the words she was saying. The lie we were now winding our families up into. If Fallon really did love me, she never told me, and I wasn’t sure I’d want her to. If I knew that her feelings ran deeper for me, then I might have to face my own feelings for her.
“All right, Nana. Let’s get you set up for your trip to Dublin.”
…
My brothers were coming over that Saturday to see the new place and for dinner. Before they could do that, there was one crucial stop Fallon needed to make.
“This doesn’t look like the way we usually take to the butcher,” she said, staring out the passenger side window.
I told myself many times that this was all for show, to make it appear real to everyone else. But now that the moment was getting closer, I found myself caring about the little details that not even Fallon mentioned before.
“It’s not,” I said, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye before I pulled into a parking spot. In front of a black stone building stood my waving aunts. “Your aunts? And a dress shop?” Fallon looked from the building with the long white gowns displayed in the window and back to me.
I couldn’t help the smile spreading across my face and the butterflies that fluttered in my stomach. “You do need a dress, and I figured a woman’s touch could help.”
I got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side, opening her door to help her out.
“But…but, you can’t see me in my dress. It’s bad luck,” she sputtered, looking from me to my two giggling aunts with their arms linked.
“It’s good I called in some help, then,” I said, opening the front door of the shop.
As soon as Fallon looked inside, her jaw dropped, and she squealed before running in and embracing the tiny pixie of a girl in black leather with matching black hair.
“Leah! When did you get here? How? What?”
I stepped in after my aunts. Then Leah caught my eye, nodding in my direction. “Your fiancé set it up. Said you couldn’t do all of this without your maid of honor. Since the wedding is two weeks away, I thought it couldn’t hurt to close the shop down for my best friend’s wedding.”
Fallon let go of Leah and slowly toward me before taking careful footsteps in my direction. “You…you invited her?” she asked softly.
I grinned, my heart racing from her soft smile and red cheeks. “Anything for you, mo grá, except for me staying here to watching you try on dresses.” I leaned in and whispered so only she could hear. “I’d prefer to see you undress, and that’ll come later.”
Her face flushed an even darker shade of red. I ignored the temptation to pull her to me and forget everyone else was around, and instead took my credit card out of my wallet. “I’m not sure there’s even a max on there. Charge the dress, shoes, underthings, whatever you need. You can bring it all up to the flat, so I don’t see it. Then you and Leah meet Jack, Sean, and me at Murphy’s up the road,” I said, trying not to stare at the tears welling in her eyes. The ones I hoped were happy ones.
“Connor—this is too much. I was just going to wear something I had,” she protested.
I shook my head. “This is your day. You get what you want.”
She opened her mouth to protest again about spending money, and I knew she would probably scold me for it later. Before she could say anything, Aunt Colleen put her arm around her. “Don’t worry, lad. We’ll take good care of her.”
Leaning in, I kissed Fallon on the cheek as everyone awed. She probably thought it was all for show, but I couldn’t help but touch her. I was always drawn to this girl, and anything I could do to make her happy, even temporarily, I was going to do.
“See you soon, bride.”
…
Sean was late to the pub, as usual, which left Jack and me sitting at the table across from each other in awkward silence, nursing our pints.
“So, Fallon and the aunts are at the shop down the street? The little black stone building?” Jack asked for what felt like the fiftieth time.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Surprised Fallon by flying in her friend Leah for the occasion. She was pretty thrilled.”
He perked up, raising an eyebrow. “An American friend?”
I smirked, thinking what my put-together brother would think of a girl with a neck tattoo. “I guess you want to know if she’s attractive? The answer is yes, but not your type. Leah is more of a little pixie with a lot of tattoos and eyeliner.”
“They all look the same from the back, right?” Jack said with a small smile. He may have been joking, but the words twisted my gut.
“I would’ve probably said the same thing before I ran into your assistant that day of Da’s will reading—literally ran into her. Now, it’s one woman for forever, or for however long she can stand me,” I said with a laugh before finishing my pint and signaling to the waitress for another round.
Thinking about how accurate that last part was sent a sick feeling to the bottom of my stomach. It had been coming more frequently as I thought about the looming deadline of this wedding. We hadn’t talked yet about how we were going to break things off in six months. I didn’t even think about it, or want to. I’d never had a real relationship with a woman, and this was the first time I was starting to understand what all the fuss was about.
“So, she’s really it?” Jack asked after the waitress delivered us two more pints.
I shook my head, trying to keep my face still. “I don’t know how many times I gotta tell you, brother, but Fallon’s it for me. So don’t try and get her to divorce me and remarry you.”
This was for the company. The one I always thought I wanted. But now the more I imagined a life with Fallon, the more I thought about taking time off. Exploring the world with Fallon’s hand in mine, walking the streets of Belfast, or even the American Grand Canyon. So many places to explore where Fallon had never been and to cross off our post-it note and bucket list.
A loud boom came from the front door, followed by some cheers, then what appeared to be the entire Irish rugby team busted into the pub.
Sean pushed his way through the group until some random guest at the bar handed him a pint. Then he stopped for a photo before finally making his way to our table.
“You’re late, as usual,” Jack grumbled. The relaxed air we just had for a few sparing minutes was gone.
“Sorry, brothers, practice ran a little late. When I told the lads I was heading to Murphy’s, they, of course, had to come, too,” Sean said, scooting into the chair next to mine.
He smelled like grass and sweat, pushing his shaggy hair back before taking a big gulp of his beer, some dribbling down to his beard.
“You haven’t missed too much, just discussing Fallon and her American friend who came in for dress shopping and the wedding,” Jack said, waving his hand before taking a sip of his pint.
Sean finished his drink then turned toward me. “American friend, ah? She have a name? A preference for bearded Irishmen? I think it’s the duty of your best man to make sure all the bridesmaids and friends of the bride are well accommodated.”
I smirked. “Since you and Jack are both the best men, and she’s the only bird coming who isn’t family or doesn’t work for us, you both can have at it.”
Sean laughed. “You know I don’t share well.”
As if the women knew we were talking about them, the front door to the pub opened. My heart leaped, and my eyes were immediately drawn to Fallon. As soon as she met my gaze, a broad smile crossed her face, and she walked arm in arm with Leah toward our table.
All the other men in the place also focused their stares on the two American girls. While Leah was the wild child with all black and bright red lips, Fallon was a breath of fresh air in her sundress with her blond hair pulled back in a ponytail.
“Definitely not my type,” Jack muttered, finishing his pint.
“But could be mine,” Sean said with a big smile, standing up to greet the two girls.
“Sister-in-law,” he yelled, taking Fallon in his arms and whirling her around. Once he set her back on the ground, he turned toward Leah with a big grin on his face. “And you brought a friend with you? Who might this beautiful bird be?”
Leah smiled, putting her hand out. “Leah. Fallon’s best friend. And you are?”
The grin spread wider on his face. “Sean Murphy, Connor’s brother, and the best hooker Irish rugby has ever seen.”
“A hooker?” Leah raised her eyebrows.
He laughed and put his arm around her. “Why don’t you let me getcha a pint, and I can teach you all about rugby?”
“Not much of a beer girl, but if you’re buying, and this is Ireland, how about a whiskey sour?” she asked with a smirk.
At least she knew how to play the game and wasn’t just fawning all over Sean as most girls did.
“Coming right up, mo grá.” He nodded before putting his fingers to his lips and whistling to the waitress. She should have smacked him, but she sauntered over, pushing her tits up to her chin.
“What can I get for you, Sean?” the waitress asked, not even looking at Leah.
“Another pint for me and my future sister-in-law,” Sean said, shaking his empty glass. “And a whiskey sour for the American bird with the bright red lipstick.”
The waitress curled her upper lip at Leah briefly then looked to Sean, nodding. “Right away.”
“So this is the famous Murphy’s pub, eh?” Leah asked, wiggling out of Sean’s grip before she and Fallon scooted into the seats next to me. My arm went instinctively around Fallon’s waist. I told myself this was all for show, but now it was almost second nature, my fingers craving her touch.
“Ah, the original, at least,” I said, nodding to Leah.
Sean took the seat across from her and next to Jack.
Leah’s eyes went between my two brothers. “I’m going to guess that by the brooding stare and Disney Prince smolder that you’re Jack Murphy, Fallon’s boss,” Leah said, pointing a tattooed finger at Jack.
Jack smirked. “Very observant. Learn that and smart-arseery in your American university?”
“More like I learned the proper technique to shotgunning a beer in college before I dropped out after freshman year. I didn’t get the brains or the beauty like Fallon, here,” she said, nudging Fallon’s side. “Connor’s a lucky man to have her.”
“I can’t argue with that one, but I’ll drink to it,” I said, raising my glass as the waitress brought everyone else’s drinks to the table. Even if she was only temporary, I was damn lucky, and I had to ignore the pain in my chest when I thought about how soon this would end.
“Hear, hear,” Leah called before we all clinked our glasses together.
“So, did you find anything at the dress shop?” I asked Fallon as I set down my glass.
She nodded. “Oh yeah. It’s a great little shop. Oh, and I almost forgot! She reached into her purse and pulled out my credit card, handing it back to me.
“Speaking of dinner, what are we eating? I have no idea how these euros work, but I have a debit card and want something authentic,” Leah said, scanning the menu.
Fallon smiled. “Leah, remember? Dinner at Connor’s and my house? Jack and Sean haven’t seen the new place since we moved in.”
Something warmed my heart—not just the alcohol, but hearing Fallon call it “our house.” All of these feelings flitting through me were hard to ignore, and I had no idea what the hell I was going to do with them, or what they meant for sure.
Leah rolled her eyes. “Come on, guys. We can go there after dinner or something. I want some fish and chips or whatever the hell it is you guys eat.” She scanned the menu again quickly, her eyes bouncing through the pages.
“How about you and me go through the list and maybe get a private tasting in the snug?” Sean asked, taking Leah’s menu and nodding to the small, walled off room at the end of the bar.
Leah raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like bad Irish slang for condom. I think I’ll pass.”
Jack laughed. “It’s a small room in Irish bars, really only good for sitting straight up. Until around the 1950s bars didn’t have stools, but it was considered improper for a lady to stand and drink so they’d go into the snug rooms. It was also used for backroom deals and arranging marriages. Now I think a lot of people just try to shag in there.”
Sean scowled, and I had to laugh at the epic cockblocking.
“I’d suggest we’d take a break in there, but you turned me down the first time I asked a few months ago, and wouldn’t want to offer unless I knew I’d get a yes,” I whispered in Fallon’s ear.
She smiled, leaning to me. “We’ll have plenty of time at home. Leah’s guestroom isn’t anywhere near ours.”
I moved my hand from her waist and rubbed the bare skin where her dress met her thighs. How did I get so lucky to end up with this girl? Six months and two weeks until this was all over, and then whatever we had would be gone. If the nagging feeling in my head wouldn’t leave, I could just focus on our time together. But the more time passed, the more I couldn’t think about anything but not wanting this to end. “I like the way you think.”