Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Tapping my nose with his finger, he chuckled as he said, “I think you’re just pretty enough for them to let it slide.”
My mouth dropped open as Preston pulled the door open. Standing my ground, I refused to move. One quick push by Preston and I was stumbling into the pub. Everyone turned and looked at me. Smiles instantly turned to frowns.
Oh shit. Please let me be pretty enough. Please, dear God, let me be pretty enough.
There was a tall man standing behind the bar. His blue eyes pierced mine and I immediately saw the resemblance to Preston. “Preston, what have you brought us this evening? I’m guessing she didn’t see the sign on the door.”
I could see the papers now. YOUNG GIRL THROWN OUT OF PUB FOR WEARING YANKEES SHIRT AND CAP. The Irish are supposed to be friendly. Aren’t they?
Grabbing Preston’s arm, I pulled him down to me. “Ward is not Irish.”
Laughing, he said, “No, it’s not. It’s British. This is my mother’s brother. Last name is Flanagan. Actually, their parents changed it to Flanagan when they came to America. It was originally O’Flannagain.”
Shaking my head and letting out a faint whimper, I said, “Oh Lord. I’m never going to forgive you for this, Preston.”
Wrapping his arm around my waist, he pulled me closer to him and whispered, “Harmony Banks, by eight o’clock this evening, I promise I will have converted you to a Sox fan.”
My breathing began to pick up as Preston held me close to his body. I didn’t like the way my body reacted to Preston. Okay, that’s a lie. I liked it way more than I should have.
“What if you fail, Mr. Ward?”
Giving me a wicked smile, he moved his lips to my ear and whispered, “Then I’m totally at your mercy, Ms. Banks.”
Closing my eyes, I took in the feel of his hot breath on my neck. I found myself clutching his shirt as I whispered back, “You have to be a Yankees fan for a whole season.”
Preston’s lips grazed my neck as he whispered, “Deal.”
And just like that, he let me go and walked up to the bar as I stood there trying to understand what had just happened to me. Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath and blew it out. I was about to turn around when Preston said, “Take it easy on my girl, she’s been misled.”
“My girl.” God, how I like the sound of that.
Shaking it off, I pushed the feelings away and spun around as I plastered on my best smile. The one I had to wear when I attended all the stupid business parties with Trey or my parents.
Walking toward the bar, Preston introduced me to everyone. Of course he saved the best for last.
“Uncle John, this is my friend Harmony Banks. Harmony, this is John, my favorite uncle ever.”
Reaching his hand across the bar, he gave me the sweetest smile. “Don’t let this little bastard fool ya. I’m his only uncle. Your brother is Jake?”
My mouth dropped open as I looked at Preston. Shrugging, he winked.
“I take it my big brother has graced your pub before?”
“Yes, he has, pretty lady. I might add when he comes in he has his lucky Sox T-shirt on.”
Rolling my eyes, I moaned. Then it hit me. Turning to Preston, I gasped, “Please tell me you’re not—” Watching the smile spread across Preston’s face, I knew my answer before he even said it.
“It’s my socks.”
My whole body slumped. “Preston, why? I was really starting to think we had a good BFF thing going.”
Preston’s smile faded but just for a brief second before he smiled bigger and lifted up his jeans’ legs to reveal the nasty socks he hadn’t changed since the Sox started their season.
Sitting on the barstool, I mumbled to myself, “And to think I let you stay in my house.”
John and Preston both laughed. Pointing at me, John said, “You’re lucky you’re so pretty and that my boy Preston is friends with you. Otherwise, your little ass would be sitting out on the street right now.”
Biting on my lower lip, I held up my hands and said, “Who are the Yankees?”
Those sitting around us erupted into laughter as Preston gave me a smile that melted my insides.
Preston took the liberty of ordering our food. We started with Irish spring rolls that were to die for. Preston ordered me the Irish sampler that consisted of Guinness beef stew, shepherd’s pie, and country cottage pie. Preston ordered bangers and mash, which was Irish sausage with mashed potatoes topped with the most amazing brown gravy I’d ever had. Then of course there were the Irish baked beans. I’d never eaten such amazing food in my life.
By the time I was finished eating, I could barely move. My stomach muscles were also sore from laughing so hard. Preston was truly in his environment in this pub. I could not only see it in his face, but hear it in his laughter. This was home to him. When one of the patrons asked Preston to hop up and play the fiddle, I was stunned to hear how good he was.