Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
I squeezed her hand. “Thanks.”
We sipped our tea, enjoying the peaceful silence between us.
“Well, it’s the dynamic duo!” Heidi sang, appearing around the corner. “What are you two up to today?”
She sat down, looking runway-ready as usual, her dark hair in a perfect braid.
Una smiled. “Not much. You?”
“I think I found a place my husband will love. I’m doing a second visit. Best part is that it’s empty, so we would get possession right away.”
“Congratulations,” Una and I said at the same time, then began to laugh.
Una covered her mouth, and Heidi’s eyes widened. “Wow. That ring is a stunner!”
Una glanced at her hand with a soft expression. “It is.”
“So, you’re getting married?”
“Yes.”
“Well, we need a celebration lunch. A condo for me, a ring for you. You need to let me take you to lunch one day.”
“Not necessary,” Una said easily. “But maybe one day up in the pub.”
“There’s a wonderful bistro down the street,” Heidi insisted. “You must get tired of eating here.”
Una shrugged, noncommittal. “We both start work on Monday.”
Heidi sighed and stood. “We’ll figure out which day.” She paused, her gaze on me. “Pretty bracelet. A gift from your beau?”
I only smiled.
“Isn’t it just so sweet,” she said. “Delicate.”
I bristled at her tone, but before I could speak, Una did. “Anna is pretty tiny. A big bracelet like yours would look ridiculous on her.”
I looked at her, seeing she was as put off by Heidi’s tone as I was.
“Oh. Of course,” Heidi said. “That wasn’t a dig. I think it’s lovely. Romantic.”
“Niall is very romantic with Anna,” Una informed her. “He adores her.”
A strange expression crossed Heidi’s face. “Who doesn’t? Oh, I must go. My driver is here. Later, ladies!”
She hurried away, and I turned to Una. “Well.”
“Seriously,” she muttered. “She was insulting you.”
“I think, to her, this is a plaything.”
“She’s a plaything,” Una retorted. “Bigger isn’t always better.” Then a grin pulled at her lips. “At least in jewelry.”
We shared an amused look.
“She’s a bit nosy,” I admitted. “It bothers me.” I studied Una. “You don’t like her?”
“No, I do—I think. There’s just something…” Una shrugged. “I can’t explain it.”
“I know. I feel it too at times, then wonder if I’m being too…” I trailed off.
Una nodded in understanding. Strangers made us both a little jumpy. Even seemingly friendly ones.
“She’ll be gone soon if she and her husband are buying the condo. You won’t have to see her again,” I offered. “Neither of us will.”
“Then let’s not worry about it,” Una said, sounding relieved.
“Good plan,” I replied.
Una looked around. “I’m going for a run tomorrow.” She pointed to the window. “Outside. I’m tired of running on the treadmill.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Does Finn know that?”
She grinned. “I told him this morning.”
“And?”
“He pulled his hair, beat his chest, and gave me the whole no-you-are-not speech.”
“To which you said?”
“Nothing. I kept drinking my tea.”
I couldn’t help smiling. “And then?”
“He paced and muttered. I think he might have called me something rude in Irish, but I’m not fluent. Then he informed me two men would accompany me. And only if it was in the park on the path and I didn’t deviate.”
“Which is where you planned to run all along.”
“Yes.”
“I should take up running,” I said with a frown. “Except I hate it. I like yoga and walking.”
“We could power walk together.”
“By walking, I meant a stroll. Maybe with a coffee.”
Una giggled. “You are so much fun. I could do that.”
“One day,” I hedged.
“No. Next week, you start work. When our shift is over, we walk. Goals. Those are our goals.”
“But you’ll be upstairs.”
She shook her head. “No, I discussed that with Finn as well. I’m going to stick to the front desk, where you’ll be.”
“You don’t have to do that, Una,” I protested, touched.
“It makes sense. You’ll be comfortable. The boys can track us in one place and not worry. Besides, I’ll be leaving to get married and going to Ireland with Finn. It’s not fair to start training, only to leave after a few days. Cleo in the front office agreed when I spoke with her earlier, and even Finn said it made sense.”
“So, we’ll work together?” I asked, delighted.
“Yes.” She winked. “But I’m tough.”
Grinning, I sat back. “Bring it on.”
Sunday night, I couldn’t sleep. Tomorrow loomed, and while the thought of learning and being useful was exciting, the thought of being out of the suite and involved with people again felt daunting. Not to mention the walk we were going on after our shift.
Una’s run had gone well, although I had laughed when I’d seen Finn was the one escorting her. He insisted he enjoyed running and had been missing it as well, even as beside him, Una rolled her eyes. Earlier today, Tom and John escorted her, Finn appearing, trying to look casual as he waited for her return. Niall was sitting next to me and chuckled, and the two of them traded insults in Irish. Una looked between them, patting a sheen of sweat off her brow.