Beneath an Irish Sky (Choc Lit) by Isabella Connor Read Free Book Online Page A

say he’d come, but he didn’t say no, either.’
    Jack was painting his offer to Luke in a better light to get Emer’s approval. If she’d been a fly on the wall in the day room, she’d likely have given him a low mark for effort.
    ‘He’ll need some time to think about it,’ Emer concluded. ‘But well done you for asking.’
    Jack was surprised how much he needed that small sign of approval. He’d felt so very alone here in Dublin, not knowing what to do for the best.
    They chatted on – about Luke, about Emer’s job, about Ireland. She was close to finishing her sandwich. Time was ticking by so Jack risked a personal question. ‘Do you have any children, Emer?’ Hardly a subtle way to find out if someone was married or not, but it was the best he could come up with at short notice.
    ‘No, I’m not married. I was nearly engaged once, but it didn’t work out.’
    She sounded sad and he wished he hadn’t asked. Always putting his foot in it.
    ‘What about you, Jack? Is there someone special in your life?’
    He glanced at Emer and was sure he saw a spark of interest in her eyes. He could just imagine his mother telling him he’d fallen for one Irish woman and it hadn’t worked out so it surely wasn’t wise to risk it again. Pushing that thought aside, he surprised himself by answering Emer truthfully. ‘I
was
in a relationship with the local hotelier, Sarah, but I ended it a few months ago. I hadn’t been feeling any real emotion for some time, and I don’t think she had either. I guess we both kept going because it was comfortable and convenient.’ But empty. He’d never quite reached the level of emotion he’d had with both Caroline and Annie. And if Annie could leave their perfect relationship, what hope was there? Maybe that’s why he’d never divorced her on the grounds of abandonment – because it was an excuse not to get married again, with all the risks that involved.
    ‘Sarah and I have been friends since we were children.’ Jack continued. ‘I think maybe it was just easy because it didn’t involve all the effort of getting to know each other – and it was without all that “first flush” stuff that can leave you drained when it goes wrong.’
    He looked down at his hands, feeling a bit embarrassed and vulnerable at his revelation. Was he coming across as pathetic?
    Emer spoke, quietly. ‘My last relationship was a disaster. He was two-timing me. Seems like everyone else knew but me. Hard to hold your head up high after that. And it’s made me a bit afraid of trying again.’
    Jack had felt like that after Annie left. All the good memories soured and nothing left but a broken heart. ‘He must be blind. Or stupid. Or both,’ he said. ‘You’re well shot of him.’
    Was there a hint of a blush on Emer’s face? She pushed some escaped curls behind her ear and then yelped in pain. He could see her earring caught in a strand of hair. ‘Let me …’
    He carefully disentangled the earring and put it gently back in place, his fingers brushing her skin ever so slightly. She seemed to tremble, but perhaps she was still cold.
    ‘Thank you, Jack. I’m such an eejit,’ Emer said, folding and refolding the sandwich wrapper. ‘I shouldn’t wear dangly earrings with this hair. Who’d have thought curls could be so dangerous, eh?’
    ‘I love curls.’ The words were out before he could stop them. So uncool. He couldn’t have been more embarrassingly obvious if he’d tried. Matt would be groaning if he could hear his father now. ‘How was the sandwich?’ he asked, grasping at any diverting topic.
    ‘It filled the spot well. If you like, I can put those extra sandwiches in the Relatives’ Room.’
    ‘Good idea.’ He passed her the carrier bag.
    Spots of rain began to patter on the rooftop and they stood up.
    ‘Well, that was at least twenty minutes without any rain,’ said Emer. ‘It’s a miracle.’
    As they headed to the door, Jack asked, ‘Could we meet again