I slumped against the car, wishing now I hadn’t changed it. At least I could have lived in the tank and I was sure Brighid would have let me use a shower.

Lorcan scooped an arm around me and stood me back up straight, his hypnotic gaze drawing mine.

‘I seem to be explaining this badly. Yes, your room at the pub has been signed over to Peyton’s friend, but no, you’re not homeless for the duration.’

‘So where am I staying?’

‘With my mam. And, umm, me.’

I blinked.

‘Pardon?’

‘She’s great,’ he said, his speech speeding up. ‘And seriously, if there’d been any other option, I’d have found it, believe me.’

‘Ouch.’

‘No! I don’t mean like that. I just knew that you weren’t going to be thrilled about it. I mean, you like your schedules and plans and things just so and knowing exactly where you’re going to be when.’

I let out the breath I’d been holding, watching as it clouded into a white mist in front of me.

‘When did this all happen? Why didn’t someone contact me? I am supposed to be the planner.’

‘I know, but Peyton only found out late last night and she seemed so thrilled. It was late, you’d have gone to bed and, well, I asked her not to say anything to you until I got back to her. I spoke to Brighid this morning and Mam was over the moon. She loves having people to stay.’

‘You still should have told me. I was up early enough.’

‘And I didn’t want you worrying about it on the drive to the airport, or the flight. You have enough on your mind as it is.’

‘That wasn’t really your decision to make.’

‘I had to find the girl somewhere to stay!’

‘No, I don’t mean that. And yes, you did the right thing. It’s what Peyton and Patrick want that’s important. I meant that it wasn’t your decision what I should and shouldn’t be told. I’m a grown woman, Lorcan, and, while I appreciate the sentiment behind the gesture, I don’t need to be mollycoddled.’

He chewed the side of his cheek for a moment. ‘Fair enough. And I apologise if I overstepped the mark. Like I said, I’m used to looking after my siblings, who to be honest often say the same as you, but I’m their brother. It’s my job to look after them.’

‘Apology accepted, but, Lorcan, it’s not your job to look after me.’

‘True. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still want to. Maybe it’s just been so long since you actually let anyone take care of you that you’ve forgotten how it feels.’ His words were soft but the look in his eyes, contrasting with the soft grey beanie, was intense.