Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“Good. I had a quiet morning at home, caught up on some reading, and I just opened up the bar.”
Sighing wistfully, he wondered if he would ever get to live that kind of life. He couldn’t work any more hours than he already did, and yet, he wasn’t making a dent in his grandfather’s debts because his payments barely kept up with the interest rate.
“That sounds like a great day,” he said.
“It has been so far. We’ll see what tonight brings. Folks can get a little rowdy on Friday nights.” Seamus chuckled and DJ couldn’t help but smile in response. “If you have some time, can you stop by here? My parents have asked about you the last couple of times we talked. I’d love to FaceTime them together.”
He flicked his gaze to the clock above the café door. His shift at Slice of Life started in an hour. If he worked quickly, he could probably get out of Strong Brew in ten minutes. That should give him enough time to get to and from Seamus’s Basement and squeeze in a call with his parents-in-law.
“Sure,” he said. “I can't stay long because I have to get to work, but I’ll be over soon and we can call them.”
Over the past month, he and Seamus had gotten to know each other a fair bit. They mostly texted, but they also spoke on the phone, and DJ had gone to his house a handful of times so they could call their families together. Seamus was good-natured and well-intentioned, even if those intentions didn’t always result in the best decisions, like the lies he had told his family that ultimately resulted in their marriage. Thankfully, everyone they knew in Claddagh was thrilled at their union, and DJ was enjoying the friendship they were building, so he didn’t regret how they had gotten there.
“Thanks, DJ.” Seamus cleared his throat. “Listen, I hope I’m not overstepping, but do you think maybe you work too much?”
He wished he could work more so that he could eventually go at least a couple of weeks without bruised ribs. “I better go so I can get out of here. I’ll see you soon.”
“Then, for no reason at all, the kids started fighting!” Seamus’s middle brother, Sullivan, said and then he began laughing. Or rather, he continued laughing. He had been regaling them with stories about his children throughout the video call and even the most stressful ones amused him.
“The reason is that they’re kids, Sullie. Just wait until they become teenagers!” said his eldest brother, Sean.
“If you say so. I’ll guess I’ll wait for that. Not that I have another option. That’s how time works, right?”
Sean elbowed Sullivan.
“Siblings fighting for no reason, you say?” Seamus said. “Can’t imagine what that’s like.”
“Brave man speaking from thousands of miles away, Seamie. Don’t think we won’t make you pay for that insubordination next time we see you.” Sullivan glared into the phone, but he couldn't hold the expression for more than a couple of seconds before breaking out into another grin.
“Insubordination?” Sean asked.
“Seemed like a good word.” Sullivan shrugged. “Anyway, are you two sure you can’t come for a visit? I know you did that courthouse wedding last month, but we can have a reception for you here. I’m sure your sister would love to plan that, Dylan.”
The Devlins had all but adopted Kaira since their first meeting. That wasn’t surprising because she was friendly and funny and, most critically, their brother’s sister-in-law, which made her family. And while his sister and the Devlin family had all expected them to come to Claddagh for their wedding, their disappointment had been mollified by the photos of the two of them outside the county courthouse, holding up their marriage certificate.
Pressing closer to Seamus so that he was more fully in the camera frame, DJ said, “You do realize that I talk to my sister nearly every day, right? She’s not only told me that you are all in cahoots together on this reception mission, but she’s also sent me dozens of inspiration photos.”
“She sent pictures?” Seamus turned his head to look at him.
“So many pictures,” DJ confirmed.
“You didn’t tell me that.”
He tilted his head back and whispered, “Do you want to see the inspiration pics for the you-said-it’s-never-going-to-happen reception?”
“No.” He shook his head and blinked a few times. “I didn’t mean that.”
“I’m sorry to rush out in the middle of our conversation, but I have to go to work,” DJ said.
“Have a good night, Dylan.” Sean and Sullivan waved at him.
He waved back and then stepped toward the door so he could leave the bar’s backroom and walk to Slice of Life.
“Guys, give me a sec. I want to see him out.” Seamus muted his phone and set it down. “How late are you working tonight?”