Page 75 of All of Him
Despite the biting cold, she looked around at the city in awe. Her breath
crystalized as her eyes wandered from River Liffey to the old buildings across the bridge.
“Just wait until you see the older side of Dublin. That’s where all the pubs and stone roads are. We can go tonight if you want.”
Amanda’s face lit up, and she shoved her hair behind her ear. In an effort tonotpull her into a kiss right there, I grabbed my suitcase and started into the hotel.
“So, we’ll meet Morgan tomorrow?” she asked, tossing her suitcase onto her twin bed.
I nodded and did the same. In order to save money, we’d agreed to share a room. No one knew I was going to be in the city, except Morgan, and I sure as hell didn’t want to stay with her. While Amanda and I had slept over at each other’s place a handful of times, it would be strange to now sleep in the same room—and very tempting.
“I figured since it’s already dinnertime, we could grab some food and then hit a pub in Temple Bar. You’ll love it there.”
“Sounds good,” she responded, stripping down to a T-shirt from the long hibernation. Her hair was a mess from her hat, and her jeans were bunched up at the ankles from wearing boots all day.
I wanted to pick her up and toss her on the bed, wrinkled clothes and all, but I couldn’t let myself falter. I had things to take care of, including her heart.
“I’m going to shower, and then we can head out. Okay?” I asked.
“As long as you wear your new jeans,” she answered, immediately following it with a facepalm.
My chest fluttered with the compliment, but I managed to remain cool.
“Did you bring your notebook?”
“Yes,” she shot back at me. “I did. And I’mhidingit, so you can’t sneak a peek.”
41
Amanda
NOAH HAD INSISTED ONpaying for dinner, which made me feel a little awkward. The place we ate at was the first actual restaurant we’d gone to together, and it had the atmosphere of a date. Both of us had tried to act like ourselves, but there had been a lot of blushing and, subsequently, a lot of Guinness consumed.
He took me to the older side of Dublin to what seemed liketheplace to be. Some people chanted in the streets; others kissed on benches. One guy chased his friend down the cobblestone road, both laughing about something. It reminded me of a college town, but less cliquey. Everyone was so alive and in such good spirits. I wanted to be part of it, to grab Noah’s hand and run into the nearest pub.
“Welcome to Temple Bar,” Noah explained as one of the guys tripped but kept laughing. “There is always some kind of thing happening here. I spent a lot of time here with Garrett.”
I smiled, turning to face him. We were both in winter coats and hats, our breath showing how cold it was. Still, I felt warm, standing there with him.
“You okay?” I asked sincerely.
Noah looked around, his nose and uncovered cheek red from the cold.
“At the moment, yeah,” he answered. “I can’t tell you what will happen tomorrow though.”
“I’ll be here,” I assured him, reaching out and rubbing his arm. “Promise.” Noah smiled back at me, his green eyes bright amid the darkening night. Everything about him had been brighter since we’d met. In the weeks following the party, he’d barely seemed like he was having trouble at all. Still, I had the urge to be the net for when he fell…because I knew he would at some point.
“Ready for a real Irish pub?” he finally asked, nodding toward a building where upbeat Celtic music rumbled through an open door.
“Lead the way, Mr. Murphy.”
Noah and I found a nook in the corner to stand in where we weren’t constantly knocked into. We had a decent view of the band, which was playing the clearly popular “The Irish Rover.” Half the bar sang along, raising their pints high in the air with their voices.
I smiled to myself and sipped my own Guinness. Noah leaned against the wall behind us, a grin taking over his face. I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or not, but he seemed to be doing okay. His only frown had been when I insisted on buying his beer.
“This is great,” I yelled in his direction, smelling his familiar body wash. “I love the atmosphere.”
“Everyone is so happy,” Noah said loudly into my ear, trying to talk over the band. “You can’t be upset in Temple Bar. Just look around. The attitude is contagious.”
