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“And maybe you are. It sounds like you plan to stay long enough to find out.” Niamh turned when Mac pulled her hand, and Iris looked out into the crowded pub, forcing herself to get control of her emotions.
Was it true? Had she finally found home?
A shout went up as music started from a booth up front, and people rushed to pull chairs and tables to the sides. A couple walked out onto the makeshift dance floor and faced off.
“Oh, it’s a gonna be a lively one tonight, Cait,” Mr. Murphy crowed.
“These two at it again. They’re convinced nobody can dance better than them.” Cait shook her head.
“They’re likely not wrong,” Mr. Murphy laughed as the couple began a complicated series of Irish dance steps, their heels sounding sharply against the wood floors, their fists at their waists. Captivated, Iris clapped along and hollered as the music picked up speed and the dancers followed the tune. When the song finished on a resounding high, the dancers ended on the same beat, and the crowd roared in appreciation.
“Come on, Iris, let’s see if you can keep up.” Kane grabbed her hand and tugged her from her seat.
“No, no, no…” Iris protested, leaning back as he leveraged her forward. “I can’t dance like them.”
“Give it a go. It’s not a true pub experience if you don’t try some Irish dancing, is it?” Kane challenged her, and Iris felt her blood heat. She had Irish ancestry, didn’t she? Maybe this would come naturally to her. As other couples faced off across the dance floor, Iris tossed her hair and raised her chin.
“Do try to keep up, darling.” Kane flashed a wicked smile at her that had her toes curling in her boots.
“Don’t darling me. You’re the one who…” Iris trailed off as the music started, and Kane launched into a complicated set of steps directly on the beat. That little…annoyance flared, and she followed suit, trying to land on the beat, stomping her heels lightly on the wood floor. Kane laughed, throwing his head back, and picked up the pace. Iris’s heart caught as she tried to match his pace, not caring if she looked like a fool, only wanting to try to keep up at this point. Of course the man knew how to Irish dance. She’d yet to see him not be good at anything. When she stumbled, Kane was there, sweeping her into his arms and bouncing across the dance floor. She was light-headed as he dipped her, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers, before righting her once more and twirling her in time to the music. The night took on a hazy quality as the people around her blurred, and all she could feel was Kane spinning, spinning, spinning her. She gave in to it, allowing him to lead, trusting he’d catch her again if she stumbled.
She trusted him, Iris realized, blinking up at his handsome face in awe. Could she trust again that easily? Should she be worried that she did? Confused but caught in the moment, Iris let him lead until he drew her off the dance floor, both gasping for breath. Iris felt like her world had tilted at the revelation, and now she felt nervous and unsure around Kane.
“Another glass of wine?” Kane asked as they returned to the bar, where a crowd clustered around Cait. A leatherbound book was open on the bar, and she wrote rapidly in the book, one finger in the air.
“Two more weeks? Is that a final decision for you, Mr. Murphy?” Cait demanded.
“Sure, and I’m torn, I am. It could be sooner,” Mr. Murphy mused.
“You’ll need to pick a date then. I’ll…” Cait trailed off when she saw Iris and Kane, and she slammed the book closed, neatly putting it beneath the bar. “Kane! Another drink?”
Iris narrowed her eyes at Cait, her bullshit radar going off. What had they been betting on in that book? But before she could ask, Kane turned to her.
“Did you want another drink?”
She did. And she didn’t. While tonight had been fun, Iris realized that she was still more than a little overwhelmed by the day's developments. Not only had…something flourished between her and Kane, but she’d also met more of her family and discovered that the whole town knew about her shop. It was too much, and she was approaching sensory overload. It already took a fair amount of work to mute the spirit guides, but muting her own emotions?
“I’m ready to go home. But thank you. I’m tired from all the moving,” Iris said.
“No problem, you walk the girl home, Kane. I’ve got your tab,” Cait instructed.
Iris took the time to exchange phone numbers with Niamh and Mac, with the promise of a cup of tea the next day, and soon she was gulping breaths in the cool night air.
“Oh, I needed this. Thank you, Kane. You don’t have to walk me home. I’m just down the hill.” Iris gestured.
“Get moving, woman. I’m walking you home,” Kane said, nudging her, and her body warmed at his touch. They walked in silence for a moment while Iris tried to gather her racing thoughts. Before she knew it, they were at the door to her apartment building, and Iris steeled herself for Kane to ask to come up.
“All good.” Kane smiled at her, rocking back on his feet, his hands in his pockets. “Sweet dreams, Iris.”
“Oh…” Iris blinked up at him, realizing he was truly just walking her home. Did he not want to come up? Had he changed his mind after their encounter earlier today? Confused, she nibbled her bottom lip as she looked up at him.
“Is it a good night kiss you’re wanting?” Kane sighed, pretending to be put upon. “If it’s what the lady desires…”
“I didn’t say…” His lips cut off her words, the softest brush of a kiss, and Iris sighed. Kane paused, bumping his forehead against hers, and kissed her softly once more.
“Sleep well, sweet Iris. I’ll text you tomorrow.”
Kane waited as she unlocked the door, fumbling far longer with the key than necessary, then hurtled her way up the stairs.
