I nod, kiss her once more, and then turn to leave while my feet can still carry me away. I wait in the truck until she’s safely inside, and then I drive the short distance to the pub.

I could go relieve my da and take care of the bar for the rest of the night. It’s not even ten o’clock.

But I don’t.

I promised myself a night off, and I’m going to take it.

So, I climb the steps to my flat and sit on the couch. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I bring up Izzy’s number.

Me: I’ll be there to pick you up at 8:00 a.m.

I smile at the three bubbles bouncing on the screen as she types her reply.

Izzy: I’ll be ready. Good night, handsome.

Chapter 6

~Izzy~

“Your brother is taking me out to breakfast,” I inform Maggie as I swing into the kitchen and pour myself a little glass of orange juice. “He should be here any minute.”

“Fun.” She watches me speculatively.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.” She shrugs and takes my glass to have a sip. “You didn’t tell me much about your date last night.”

“And I probably won’t tell you much about it today.”

She huffs out a breath and scowls. “You can trust me, you know.”

“Oh, trust isn’t the issue. I had a good time. And I’m keeping the rest to myself for now. If I didn’t enjoy myself, I wouldn’t let him take me out for breakfast today.”

“I guess that’s true,” she says as the doorbell rings.

I hurry and open the door to find Keegan, hair damp from his shower, wearing a dark green T-shirt and faded blue jeans.

My mouth waters.

“Good morning,” he greets with a grin. “You look fantastic.”

“As do you. I’m ready when you are.”

“I want to go,” Maggie says as she joins us. “I’m hungry.”

Keegan’s eyes narrow on his sister. I smile. I don’t mind if she joins us at all.

“Come on, then,” he agrees, and the three of us climb into Keegan’s truck. He drives us to the edge of town to his favorite diner. Most of the tables are empty as we’re shown to a booth on the edge of the room. Keegan slides in next to me, and Maggie sits across from us.

“You guys are cute together,” she says.

“Are you going to be a jerk the whole time we’re here, or can you behave like a regular human being, Mary Margaret?”

“I’m not a jerk, you jerk. I simply said you’re cute. And you are.”

“What can I get you?” the waitress asks.