Quiet Longing (Quiet Love #2)

3.

Charli

The party hadn’t spread throughout the house yet, so it was much quieter in the kitchen. I was concerned about Nuala, especially with how anxious she seemed when those girls had arrived. I could tell Rhys noticed, too, his blue eyes studying her with concern. It made me wonder if he had a thing for her, or if he was just a generally perceptive and empathic sort of guy.

I hadn’t known what to say when Aunt Jo had declared they were throwing a party in my honour and inviting all the neighbours and local kids. Obviously, it would’ve been rude and ungrateful to ask them to cancel it. So, I found myself going along with the whole thing, even though the thought of mingling made me feel like I was going to break out in a rash.

Being a social butterfly wasn’t my natural state, but I could hang tough if needed.

My first full day in Ireland had gone well. I’d woken up early, unpacked, then taken a long walk on the beach. It was so beautiful here. There was something peaceful about it, like coming home to a place I’d never been. I’d sat on the sand, watching the seagulls flock by, the sky a vibrant azure blue. It was like being inside a postcard.

When I’d gotten back from my walk, I was informed about the party. What I’d really wanted to do was curl up with a book in my room and rest since I had my first shift at the hotel in the morning. But it wasn’t to be.

Perching on a stool by the kitchen island, I watched Nuala rifle through the freezer for this famous chili soup. Finally, she found a large container and popped it into the microwave. Rhys sat on the stool next to mine. I was aware of his attention on my profile before I turned, and he quickly glanced away as though caught doing something he shouldn’t be. My chest fluttered. There was something about him, the quiet intensity perhaps, that drew me in. And those blue eyes, wow; I found myself getting caught in them several times already, and it had only been a few minutes.

“So,” I said, “Who was that girl Tristan was arguing with? An ex of his?”

A flash of pain briefly claimed Nuala’s features before she snorted. “She wishes. No. That was Kiera. We used to be close, but we had a fight a few months ago, and she’s iced me out ever since. The rest of the girls sided with her. I don’t even know why she came here tonight. Tristan must’ve posted about the party on social media or something.”

“What was the fight about?”

Nuala chewed on her lip. “I’d rather not talk about it.” The microwave pinged, and she turned to remove the soup before going to grab some bowls. I glanced at Rhys, and he shrugged as if to say, If she doesn’t want to talk about it you can’t force her.

I wondered if he knew anything about the fight. Something hardened inside me. Who did that girl think she was, turning the friend group against Nuala and then showing up to a party at her house? She sounded like an entitled bitch. My mother hen instincts kicked in. If Tristan hadn’t already approached this Kiera girl and told her to leave, I might’ve done so myself. Nuala was such a cheerful, kind, inoffensive person. I didn’t understand how anyone could treat her badly. That would be like stomping on a fairy’s wing just for the heck of it.

“Wait until you taste this soup,” Nuala said, forced cheeriness in her voice. “It’s to die for.” She passed a bowl and spoon across the counter to me, then another bowl to Rhys, before pouring one for herself. I lifted a spoonful to my mouth and groaned as soon as the spicy goodness met my tongue. A tantalising mixture of chili, cumin, paprika, and a hint of garlic assaulted my senses, and I gave a quiet moan.

What? I already said I was a foodie, and this soup was the nicest thing I’d tasted in a while.

Nuala laughed. “I take it from your moan of ecstasy you like it.”

“It’s amazing,” I said, glancing at Rhys for a second and finding that his eyes, slightly hooded, were on my mouth. Oh, crap, was there soup on my lips? I grabbed a napkin and quickly dabbed them, embarrassed. When I looked at him again, he was focused on his own bowl of soup.

The three of us ate quietly for a few minutes, the room filled with sounds of our quiet, contented slurping. As soon as I became aware of it, I couldn’t hold in my amusement, a giggle escaping me.

Nuala glanced at me. “What’s so funny?”

“I don’t know. The three of us are just very into this soup. The slurping sounds are cracking me up.”

Nuala chuckled in response. “You’re right. We’re like a couple of aul’ ones in here having our soup when we could be back out there partying.”

“Nah, this is better,” Rhys said, and I shot him a smile.

“I agree,” Nuala concurred with a grin.

“Well, what do we have here?” came a voice, and I glanced up to find the guy from last night, Aidan, entering the kitchen. His dark auburn hair looked freshly styled, and he wore a slate grey shirt that brought out the deep brown of his eyes. He was an attractive guy, but he didn’t really do it for me. Maybe it was because he seemed fully aware of how good looking he was.

“We’re having chili soup from the hotel,” Nuala told him as he eyed our bowls. “Want some?”

“Hmm, maybe a small taste,” he said, surprising me when he slid in next to me and grabbed the spoon from my almost finished bowl before bringing it to his mouth. My eyebrows shot all the way up into my forehead as I stared at him.

“Oh, it’s good,” he said, going in for a second spoonful.

“Um, I’d planned to finish that,” I said, vaguely annoyed.

“Don’t worry, Moretti. I’m not contagious.” How did he know my last name already? One of the brothers must’ve mentioned it.

“Right, but I might be,” I shot back. “You just used my spoon, dude. Gross.”

Aidan patted his chest. “I’ve got the constitution of an ox. I’ll be fine.”

“Not the stamina, though,” Nuala countered with a grin. “Well, at least that’s what I heard from Laura Pembridge.”

Aidan feigned outrage. “That’s defamation of character! I’m calling my lawyer.”

Nuala chuckled. “Don’t be so hasty. I’ve heard Laura is a compulsive liar.”

“Yes, she is,” Aidan exclaimed before turning to me. “She’s a liar, Moretti. Do you hear me? A dirty little liar. Don’t let her sully your view of me. I can go for days, days , I tell you.”

“That’s far too long,” Rhys commented dryly, surprising a laugh out of me.

“Right?” I said, grinning at him. His eyes met mine, and I got a little lost again. He really was handsome. I felt like putting him in a lumberjack shirt and encouraging him to grow a beard. That look would suit him perfectly.

Aidan glanced between us then let out a beleaguered sigh. “Well, I have to say, this is all very fucking boring. The Balfes have thrown you a party, and you’re out here hiding away.”

“I’m not a party girl, sorry,” I said, wondering where Rhys was going when he rose from his stool. He walked to the drawer where the utensils were kept and grabbed a clean spoon then returned to the counter before handing it to me. I took it from him, touched by the gesture.

“Thanks,” I murmured quietly, and Rhys nodded before sitting back down.

Aidan watched the exchange, and I resumed finishing my soup, this time with a fresh spoon thanks to Rhys. Aidan cocked his head and folded his arms, his attention still on me. “If you aren’t a party girl, then what kind of girl are you?”

“Fuck’s sake, quit creeping on her,” Rhys said, sounding annoyed, and my cheeks grew hot at the way he intervened.

“I’m not creeping on her. I heard Derek loud and clear last night. I’m just trying to make conversation and get to know our new friend.” Aidan flashed me the sort of grin I suspected had most girls melting and doing whatever he asked of them. It was a good thing I was made of sterner stuff.

“What do you mean, you heard Derek loud and clear?” I asked, frowning.

They’d been talking about me?

Aidan blew out a sigh. “Just that you’re here to spend the summer with Nuala and we’re all to keep our dirty mitts off you. Not that that was my intention. You’re not my type.”

“Sure, she’s not,” I thought I heard Rhys mutter under his breath, but I was too busy staring at Aidan.

“Derek can be protective,” Nuala explained. “He tells all the guys the same thing about me, but I’m fine with it because none of them are my type, either.” She gave a shrug.

“Well, it’s a good thing I didn’t come here to get laid,” I said, a little grumpy about Derek’s interference. I mean, if I wanted to have a fling with an Irish guy, that was my choice.

Nuala sighed. “Sorry. My brother’s Fionnuala blocking ways are irritating, I know, but his heart is in the right place.”

“Hold up a second. What the hell is Fionnuala blocking?” I asked, one eyebrow raised. I’d heard the name before. Pretty sure my mom had been friends with a girl called Fionnuala (pronounced Fu-noo-la) at school.

Aidan barked a laugh before explaining, “Fionnuala is slang for vagina.”

“So, you call your vagina a name that also contains your actual name?” I asked Nuala in growing amusement.

She blushed. “Yes, but it’s not like I came up with the term. It’s commonly used.”

“It’s a posh girl thing,” Rhys said quietly, and Nuala swiped him on the arm.

“I am not posh!”

Aidan grinned. “Not posh? Pull the other one. You call your vag a Fionnuala because you couldn’t possible lower yourself to utter the word ‘fanny.’ That would be far too uncouth. Sorry to break it to you, babe, but you’re posh. I mean, look where you live.”

“Well, if I’m posh, then you’re posh, too. Your house is even bigger than this one.”

“I’m not denying it.”

Nuala folded her arms in annoyance.

A silence fell before I said, “Now, I just feel sorry for all the women out there whose parents named them Fionnuala.”

At this, all three of them burst out laughing. Aidan patted me on the shoulder and appeared to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. “Ah, it’s going to be a good summer with you around, Moretti,” he said, and I glanced at Rhys to find him staring at where Aidan’s hand still rested on me. He looked vaguely bothered. Why did my stomach fill with butterflies to imagine him irritated by another guy touching me, even in such an inoffensive spot as my shoulder?

I wasn’t sure if Aidan was right about it being a good summer, but it was certainly going to be an interesting one.

***

My alarm went off at seven the next morning. The party wrapped up around eleven-thirty, so I was able to get a decent night’s sleep. I was still waking up intermittently though, my body getting used to the new routine.

I showered and dressed in the plain black pants and top Uncle Padraig left for me, my work uniform. He’d also shown me where the hotel was located yesterday, which was only a ten-minute walk from the house. I didn’t mind walking because it was such a pretty spot, and I could enjoy the scenery along the way.

I arrived at the hotel at eight, going around to the staff entrance at the back, though I had to ask one of the passing employees to point me in the direction of the kitchen. I found it easily enough and presented myself to the head chef, Moira, whose chili soup I’d enjoyed the night before.

I mentioned this as an icebreaker, and she smiled in delight. “Ah, yes, that’s one of my most popular dishes. The Balfes sometimes put an order in for a big batch that they can keep at home.”

“My relatives are clearly very smart people,” I said, and she chuckled.

“Come on, I’ll pair you up with one of the other porters, and they can show you the ropes for the day.”

She led me to the back of the kitchen, where a tall, broad shouldered, husky guy stood washing dishes. His back looked familiar, and then he turned around, and I saw who it was.

“Rhys! I didn’t know you worked here,” I said, pleasantly surprised to see him as a grin tugged at my lips.

His eyebrows jumped, a hint of embarrassment in his expression. “Charli? Uh, yeah, I’m working here for the summer.”

“Me, too.”

“Well, it appears you both know each other,” Moira said. “That’s good. Rhys, can you let Charli shadow you for the day to learn the ropes?”

He scratched the back of his head, seeming somewhat reluctant. “Are you sure? I’m cleaning out the freezer today.”

Moira glanced at me. “You don’t mind getting thrown in the deep end, do you, Charli?”

“I don’t think so,” I replied, suddenly hesitant. Just how bad was it to clean out a freezer? Well, it was going to be cold, but I could handle that. I’d survived through countless Boston winters.

“Great, I’ll leave you both to it. Come find me if there are any issues.”

With that, she left, and I stood next to a somewhat awkward looking Rhys.

“So,” I began. “Is it really going to be terrible, this freezer-cleaning business?”

He finished rinsing out some dishes then turned off the faucet. “It’s not as bad as changing oil or cleaning the ovens, but it’s not easy either.” He paused, giving me a once over with those handsome blue eyes. “You didn’t happen to bring a spare jumper, did you?”

I shook my head. Rhys frowned, studying me for a moment as he pressed his lips together. “I have a hoodie in my locker you can borrow. Come on.”

I followed him from the kitchen, down a long hallway, and into a staff room lined with lockers. He approached one and cast me a quick glance as he fiddled with the lock.

“They didn’t assign you one of these yet?” I shook my head. “Someone will probably come find you later and give you a code. In the meantime, you can store your things in mine if you want,” he said all this while not looking at me, and I got the sense Rhys was a little shy.

“Thanks. That’s kind of you,” I said, shrugging off my jacket and bag. I handed both to Rhys, and he took them quietly before giving me a thick, dark blue hoodie. The cotton was soft and cosy, well worn. It was way too big for me, but I didn’t mind so long as it kept me warm in the freezer. It smelled clean, too, like laundry detergent and a hint of male cologne. Was that his scent? Had he worn it already? A tiny shiver went through me.

I’d never worn a boy’s clothes before.

“Right,” Rhys said after he closed his locker. “Better get to it.”

He glanced at me, some indecipherable look in his eyes as they ran over his hoodie, probably noting it was too large on me. Then he rubbed his chin and exhaled a short breath before turning and leaving the room.

Again, I followed him, this time back to the kitchen. There were other members of staff prepping and cooking food. Rhys nodded hello to a few of them and introduced me as the new part-time porter. He didn’t mention I was the hotel owner’s niece, which I appreciated. I just wanted them to treat me like any other member of staff.

The freezer was basically an entire room that we entered through steel doors. It was lined with shelves of produce.

Rhys placed his hands on his hips then scratched the back of his neck as he eyed the shelves. I stood quietly, waiting for his instructions.

“First, we need to take inventory of what’s close to its ‘use by’ date and clear out some of the expired items,” he said. “There shouldn’t be too many of those because Moira keeps a system where most everything gets used on time. We’ll start here,” he continued, motioning to the farthest set of shelves, “and work our way back. After that we’ll need to move everything off the shelves and unplug the unit.” He grimaced. “That’s when the actual hard work begins. I hope you ate a good breakfast.”

“I had scrambled eggs on wholegrain toast,” I replied earnestly as a chill crept across the back of my neck. It really was lucky Rhys had this hoodie in his locker; otherwise, I would’ve been absolutely freezing.

A hint of a smile tugged on Rhys’ lips like he found me cute in some way before he turned and got started. We worked diligently for the next two hours. My arms, legs, and lower back ached since I wasn’t used to hard manual labour. I’d waitressed during the summers at a restaurant back home, but it didn’t involve heavy lifting, nor standing in such cold conditions. Thankfully, Rhys did most of the lifting work while I checked the dates on the containers.

By the time we’d finished the first part of the task, I was already exhausted.

“Please tell me this isn’t a typical day,” I said to Rhys when we stopped for a fifteen-minute break. I grabbed a diet soda and bag of chips from the vending machine in the staff room.

“It isn’t. You were just unlucky you started today. Most days you’ll be washing and drying dishes, emptying bins, cleaning the food areas, that sort of thing.”

“Ugh,” I groaned. “That still sounds exhausting.”

Again, there was that hint of a smile. I noticed that about Rhys. He rarely smiled fully. It was like he couldn’t permit himself to show the amount of joy that came with a full smile, and I wondered why that was. Was it only shyness or something more?

“Mind if I ask a question?” Rhys said, eyeing me in a way that made my cheeks feel hot. What was it with this guy? And why did he make me feel so keenly observed?

“Shoot,” I replied before knocking back my last gulp of soda.

“Why are you working here this summer? Is your uncle making you or something?”

I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “No, that was my mom’s stipulation. She said I had to work at the hotel to pay my own way. She’s sort of uncomfortable with handouts. Like, her conscience couldn’t rest with me being given an all-expenses paid trip to Ireland.” I paused to chuckle. “It would literally keep her up at night.”

“My mam’s a little bit like that as well,” Rhys said. “If someone gives her a gift, she has to give them a gift back of equal or better value. She could never give a cheaper gift, even if money was tight. It’s almost like a moral compulsion.”

“Maybe it’s an Irish mother thing,” I replied, and he chuckled though there was the very vaguest hint of sadness behind his eyes. I couldn’t think what might account for it, but then again, I knew very little about him. I did find, however, I wanted to know him. I was drawn to him in a way I hadn’t been to a boy before. A part of me was curious to know what caused the flash of sadness. If it was fleeting or deeply set.

“Could be.”

We got back to work, mostly toiling away quietly as we cleaned out the freezer. The place was sparkling by the time we were done, and I felt like sleeping for the entire weekend. It was Friday, and I imagined Nuala and her brothers would probably have something social planned, but I was far too exhausted for anything other than an early night.

“Are you coming to the beach with us tomorrow?” Rhys asked when we returned to his locker at the end of the day.

I was in the middle of removing his hoodie and had gotten a little tangled up in it. He chuckled softly before stepping forward and gently tugging it off over my head. His fingers grazed my back and shoulders, and I found myself shivering, just a little. When I was finally free, I realised just how close we were standing. Rhys’ gaze trailed over my face before darting back to my hair. I patted at it self-consciously, imagining it was probably a mess after struggling to get the hoodie off. Rhys’ hand came forward, and my breath caught when he touched my ear. I belatedly realised he was fixing an errant strand of hair back into place. God, I must’ve looked crazy.

Swallowing back my self-consciousness, I moved away from him and asked, “The beach?”

Rhys rubbed his jaw. “Yeah, uh, the lads and I are heading to Portmarnock tomorrow. That’s the next town over. The beach there is better for swimming. I thought Derek or Tristan might’ve invited you.”

“They haven’t mentioned it yet, but I suppose I’ll go if Nuala’s going.”

“Cool,” he said, nodding and running a hand through his hair as he glanced away. “Well, maybe I’ll see you there.”

“Maybe,” I replied, unsure what I was doing when I reached out and touched his hand. His eyes flickered to mine, curious. “Thanks for today. It was a baptism by fire, for sure, but you were easy to work with.” I let go and stood back, lifting his hoodie. “Um, I’m going to wash this for you, but I’ll return it during my next shift, if that’s okay?”

“Sure, of course,” he said, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.

Turning, I left the staff room, my heart racing for some strange reason.

Ugh, please don’t tell me I was developing a crush already. I’d only arrived two days ago, and I certainly didn’t need to start complicating things by liking one of my cousins’ friends. Not to mention, Derek had warned them all to keep their hands off me, which I still intended to talk to him about.

I wasn’t some weak-willed damsel whose virtue needed protecting. But I also wasn’t seeking romance or the inevitable heartbreak.

Even if that potential heartbreak had the most provoking, ocean-blue eyes.