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CHAPTER TEN

ANNA

T he next morning, I met Una downstairs. I insisted on going down myself. Niall wasn’t happy, and we agreed on him taking the elevator to the lobby and staying put. I turned as I got out. “I’ll see you later.”

He frowned, glowering and unhappy. “You have your phone?”

“Yes.”

“You know who the men are?”

I resisted rolling my eyes. “Yes.”

“You’ll—”

I cut him off with a shake of my head. “I’ll kick your arse if you don’t stop acting like a mother hen.”

A grin pulled at his lips. “ Arse ?”

“It’s catchy, you and your accent.” I giggled. “You mix it up all the time. Feck, fuck. Idiot, eegit. You get more Irish.”

He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me close. “Stop saying fuck,” he hissed. “Or feck. You know what it does to me. You’re going to get more Irish,” he said with a leer.

I couldn’t help my chuckle.

“I’m gonna catch you later and show you my arse.” He pressed a kiss to my neck. “Maybe play with yours,” he added in my ear, making me shiver.

“Stop it.”

He nibbled on the skin, swirling his tongue along the same path. “And I’m not a hen. I’m a great big co?—”

I covered his mouth, and he laughed behind it, kissing my palm.

Then he stepped back. “Later, Polly.”

I was still laughing as I walked toward Una. I knew without a doubt he had watched me cross the lobby before stepping back into the elevator. That as soon as he got to the office, he would look at the monitor. I also knew Finn would have one focused on this area the whole time we were here.

I sat down after hugging Una. She looked better today, her bruises fading. Niall had kissed and counted every one of mine last night, insisting there was one fewer. Then he made sure by kissing them again. He was pleased and informed me they were disappearing under his magic mouth.

I couldn’t disagree about the magic his lips and tongue could do.

I poured myself a tea, glancing at the laptop Una had on her lap. “What are you doing?”

She smiled. “Ordering kitchen stuff.”

“Oh, fun.”

She patted the seat beside her, and for the next while, we sipped tea as she ordered baking trays, bowls, and a new mixer. Measuring cups and spoons. Cute tea towels and oven mitts. We skipped over to the décor side, and she added a blanket and some toss cushions.

“For now,” she explained. “It’s so sterile.”

I knew what she was saying. The only personality in Niall’s suite was the navy-and-cream bedding. Other than that, it was exactly what it was meant to be. A hotel suite. A very luxurious one, but a suite, nonetheless.

I heard the tap, tap, tap of high heels on wood and glanced up to see a young woman heading our way.

She smiled as she approached, her dark hair gleaming under the lights.

She was average height and slender, and she looked as if she’d stepped off a runway.

She stopped across from us and dropped into a chair, crossing her shapely legs.

“Sorry to interrupt, ladies. I was hoping you could help me,” she said, her voice having an odd cadence. Almost a singsong tone and slightly high-pitched.

“If we can,” Una said cautiously.

“I’m staying in this lovely hotel,” the stranger said, leaning forward. “My husband has been transferred here with his job, and I’ve come ahead to house hunt.”

“I see,” Una replied.

“Anyway, I am dying for some sushi, and the concierge said you might be able to give me the name of a local place.” She winked. “He admitted he’d never eaten it.”

The action drew my gaze to her eyes. They were a dark gray—unusual. Her makeup was flawless and done to draw attention to her unique eyes.

“Oh yes,” Una said. “Joyful is just a block away. One of my favorites. Go out the front door and turn to the right. It’s a fast walk.”

“Oh, thank you!” Then she stuck out her hand. “I’m Heidi.”

Una hesitated, then shook her hand. “Una.”

“What a cool name.”

She turned to me, holding her hand out again. “And you are?”

“Anna.”

She sat back, looking delighted. “Una and Anna! What a great set of names for best friends!”

I tilted my head. “How do you know we’re best friends?”

Heidi laughed. “I could see that immediately. You two are sympatico !” She blew a kiss into the air. The theatrical gesture made me laugh.

“How long are you staying?” Una asked, interested.

“Another ten days or so. I looked around with an agent yesterday to decide on the area. I love the waterfront. Queens Quay, I think it was called?”

“Yes. So, a condo?”

“Oh yes. I’m not into outdoor work, and neither is my husband. He is always too busy, so when he’s home, we like to spend the time having fun, not cutting the grass. And he has always wanted a boat. So, it would be perfect.” She stood.

“I’m starving.” She paused. “I don’t suppose I can persuade you ladies to come with me? I miss my husband, and I hate eating alone. My treat!”

We shook our heads. “Sorry, but we have plans.”

She looked disappointed. “Another day, then.”

Una nodded. “Sounds nice.”

Heidi smiled and waved. “Okay, I’m off. I’ve taken up enough of your time. Thank you.” She called over her shoulder. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow!”

Una waved, and Heidi left, sailing through the front doors as if she owned the place.

“I wish I had that sort of confidence,” I murmured.

“She is very sure of herself.”

“I wonder what her husband does. She’s about our age. Condos on Queen’s Quay are pricey.”

“They are. I’m sure she’ll tell us all about it when we see her next time.”

“No doubt.”

Una laughed. “She is very friendly.”

“She is,” I mused. “Exotic-looking. And her voice is, ah, different.”

Una giggled. “A bit of a ballbuster, I think.”

“I think you’re right. Lonely too,” I added.

“I wonder if we’ll run into her again,” she murmured.

“I guess we’ll see.”

“Now, enough about her. Let’s spend more of Finn’s money.”

I laughed. “Now there’s a plan.”

The next morning, I sat at the fireplace alone. Una would be joining me soon, but she was trying on some dresses for her show. Niall walked me to the spot, ensured I had some tea, and lingered until I rolled my eyes.

“I’m fine.”

He bent and pressed a kiss to my head. “I know. Indulge me a little.”

“I indulged you plenty last night.”

He lifted my chin and kissed me. “You did.”

I shivered as I thought about us last night.

On the sofa, then against the wall. Finally, in his big bed.

Everything he did, I liked. Every touch.

Every caress. Every angle. Even when he gripped me, I felt his care.

It was never too tight. Never too much. And I knew if I ever felt scared, he would stop.

But I was certain that would never happen.

I hadn’t asked him about the Irish term of endearment he used, or that Una had told me what it meant. Instead, my chest warmed a little more every time he uttered it.

“Call me if you need me,” he instructed, kissing me one more time. I watched him stride across the lobby, chatting with a few people, then disappeared around the corner, heading to the elevator. I smiled to myself, wondering how long it would take him to check the monitor.

“Hi again!”

I glanced up, seeing the woman from yesterday. “Hello, Heidi.”

“Oh, you remember me!” She looked pleased as she sat down across from me. Today, her hair was pulled back in a long ponytail, and once again, she was dressed to perfection and slightly intimidating. But her smile was friendly, and she seemed happy to see me.

“Of course.”

She beamed. “My first friend here. Lovely!” Again, I noticed her odd voice. But I chuckled. She was very enthused.

“I wanted to say thanks to you. Joyful was incredible.”

“Good. But it was Una who suggested it. She knows the area well.”

“Oh. Does she live around here?”

“She works here,” I said shortly, not wanting to divulge any more.

“Oh cool. This is a lovely hotel.” She looked around. “Such a warm atmosphere.”

“It is.”

“Do you work here too? Is that how you know each other?”

I hesitated, not wanting to say too much. She was a little forward. “Yes.”

“Work friends are the best. I met my bestie at work. I’m going to miss her.”

“Where are you moving from?” I asked.

“Calgary.”

“Ah.”

A server arrived with a tray of tea for me. I smiled in thanks. Heidi eyed it with longing. “I love tea.”

It felt wrong to pour myself a cup and not offer her one. I did, and she took it, settling back in her chair. I searched for something to say.

“How was your condo hunting yesterday?”

“I saw a couple of places I liked. But my husband is particular. I sent him some pictures.”

“I see.”

“Where do you live? Close by?”

I took a sip of tea. I didn’t want to tell her I lived here in the hotel. It felt too private. “Yes. A short walk away.”

She nodded. “It seems the best way to get around here—on foot or public transport. Is it always this busy?”

I relaxed, realizing she was just making conversation. She was alone in the city. Missing her friend and husband. That was all. I needed to chill.

“I’m fairly new to the city, but yes, it is always busy.”

“Maybe we can discover it together,” she suggested. “Find our favorite coffee place and yoga studio, that sort of thing.”

She saw my hesitation and frowned. It changed her features, making her almost ugly, but then she smoothed out her expression.

“Una can join us if you want.”

“Um.” I cleared my throat, suddenly anxious at the thought of stepping outside the hotel without Niall.

She shook her head. “Sorry. I’m being pushy. You and Una just seemed so nice.” She stood. “Never mind.”

I shook my head, feeling bad. “No. Sorry, it just caught me off guard. I’m a little shy around new people. Maybe we could do coffee next week.”

“Oh, I’d love that.” She looked around, then her eyes went wide. “Oh, my Realtor is outside. I’m late. I’ll see you later.”

She hurried away, and a moment later, Una and Finn appeared. She grinned at me. “Was that Chatty Cathy again?”

Finn frowned. “Who is that?”

“One of your guests. She’s staying here and came over to chat with us yesterday.”

“Room?” Finn asked.

Una frowned. “I didn’t ask her that. She said her husband was transferred here, and she came ahead, looking for a place for them.”

He frowned and pressed a kiss to her head. “Okay. I’ll see you later.”

He headed to the front desk, and I chuckled. “He is checking on her, isn’t he?”

“Yep.”

She looked at the cup on the tray. “She had tea?”

I nodded and told her what happened.

Una sighed. “Being alone in a new city is hard. I guess we can be nice. She is certainly vivacious.”

Finn returned, handing Una a fresh cup. “Everything all right?” she asked.

He nodded. “Heidi Walters. Checked in three days ago. Extended booking. Suite. Credit card is in the same name.”

“Go back to work, detective.”

He chuckled and ran a hand down her head in a soft, intimate gesture. “Later, mo chroí .”

He left with a wink. I sighed as I sipped my tea. Una looked over. “Are you okay?”

“I’m good. I liked Heidi. I’m just…” I shrugged as I tried to explain.

Una patted my hand. “She seems nice, if a bit pushy. After what we went through, I think we’re both a little leery of new people.”

“The thought of leaving the hotel without Niall frightens me,” I admitted.

“Again, understandable. But he and Finn will make sure we have men with us—discreetly, of course.”

I sat back with a sigh. “Of course. I hadn’t thought of that.” I smiled at her, changing the subject. “Ready for tonight?”

“A bit anxious, but yes.”

“You’ll be amazing. Niall says you have the voice of an angel.”

She looked pleased. “I love to sing.”

“I can’t carry a tune,” I admitted. “It’s terrible.”

“I’m sure you’re not that bad.”

Unable to resist, I sang a few bars of a well-known song. Una’s eyes widened, and she looked disturbed. I lifted my eyebrows as I waited for her reaction.

“Cookies might be your thing,” she offered. “Singing isn’t for everyone.”

We both laughed, and it felt good. She wiped her eyes. “Oh, that was bad.”

“And I was really trying.”

She laughed again, then reached over and hugged me. “Oh, Anna,” she murmured. “You are such a light for me.”

I hugged her back. “So are you.”

She smiled. “You are Niall’s light too.”

My smile faded. “I want to be.”

She squeezed my hand. “You love him.”

I looked over her shoulder, gathering my thoughts. “I think I do. But he insists he can’t love.”

“He will. Give him time.” She smiled sadly. “Finn gave me time—he was incredibly patient and always there for me.”

“He adores you.”

She nodded. “And I him. Niall does love you. He simply doesn’t know it yet. He will. I know it.”

I looked down at my hands. I could only hope she was right.