Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry,” she apologised to Shay. “I’m very rusty.”
“He asked if you’d like to join us for lunch,” I told her. “We’re meeting his girlfriend at a great little café. You’re welcome to come.”
“Oh, I probably shouldn’t.”
“Come on,” I encouraged. “They make amazing Italian sandwiches. You have to try one.”
“Appeal to my foodie Italian half, why don’t you. Well, all right, then. Just let me grab my purse.”
She went, and I glanced back at Shay, who wore an amused, curious expression.
Don’t thank me, he signed.
“Why would I thank you?”
She’s the girl from the photo in your office.
“Yes, that was taken when we were teenagers. Derek gave it to me. I told you we were old friends after you met her the first time.”
Just something in the way you look at her. Your eyes go all soft. Shay responded, and then Charli was back, hitching her bag up on her shoulder. Was that true? Did my eyes soften when I looked at her?
The atmosphere between us had been solemn after I’d dropped her off at the tax office on Monday, the drive back to the hotel quiet with both of us lost in thought. I’d wondered what she’d been thinking. Perhaps imagining how different things might’ve turned out if Mam hadn’t gotten sick and I hadn’t pushed away everyone in my life who was important to me, including her.
Especially her.
It was only a short walk to the café. Charli conversed with Shay, figuring out some of the differences between Irish and American sign language. Something about her interest in the subject caused a warm, pleasant feeling in me.
Maggie was waiting for us when we arrived, a thick purple scarf around her neck and her long auburn hair tied back in a ponytail. Her blue eyes crinkled happily when she spotted Shay, and my cousin strode to her side, pressing a soft kiss on her lips before winding his arms around her waist. They made such a sweet couple. It was a relief Shay had finally found someone who he adored, who adored him back and appreciated him for all he was.
This is Charli. She’s the new accountant at the hotel, Shay signed to Maggie, who sent Charli a friendly smile.
“Hi, Charli. I’m Maggie. It’s lovely to meet you,” Maggie said, and I could tell by the flash of knowing in her eyes that Shay had already told her about Charli, who she was, and how we’d known each other as teenagers. I hadn’t told him of our romantic relationship, but I suspected he’d already pieced it together based on my behaviour when she was around. I wasn’t sure if it was because he’d been mute most of his life, or if it was simply his natural way, but my cousin was the most astutely observant person I knew.
“And you,” Charli replied as they shook hands.
I placed my palm lightly on Charli’s lower back as we stepped inside and found a table. It didn’t escape my notice how her eyes flashed to where I touched her as we took our seats. Maggie and Shay were deep in conversation about some incident at Maggie’s work, and again, I found it adorable how Charli studied the sign language intensely. Her dark eyebrows were pulled together in concentration.
“Maggie works as a building manager at her brother’s investment firm,” I told her quietly, and she jumped a little when she realised how close we were sitting, my mouth not far from her ear. There was a certain skittishness in her reaction, and it made me sit back, giving her some space as I continued, “She’s telling Shay about how one of the workers at the firm has been plugging up the ladies’ bathrooms by flushing cotton makeup pads down the toilet. She suspects it might be the compliance analyst, though one of the investment specialists is also a possible culprit.”
Charli laughed softly. “Okay, thank you for translating.”
“Sorry,” Maggie said sheepishly. “I only started learning sign language last year. I sometimes forget to speak while I sign so that everyone can understand.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s good for me to try and figure out what’s being said,” Charli replied. “An immersive experience, you know. So, how are you going to catch this mystery toilet blocker?”
“Well, short of putting cameras in the actual bathroom stalls, there’s not a whole lot I can do,” Maggie replied. “I’m currently in the process of composing a strongly worded email to send out to the entire staff. Unfortunately writing has never been my strong suit. I might have to ask my brother Jonathan’s executive assistant to help me. Therese is amazing at composing emails that come across stern and authoritative without seeming superior.”
“That’s certainly a good talent to have in an office workplace,” Charli agreed. “Might I suggest stationing a bag checker on the toilets and confiscating any makeup pads?”