Read Room to Breathe for Free Online Page B

the backroom leaving Eric and I alone at the counter.
    “Thank you again for last night, Eric. I really had a good time.”
    “Yeah, I could tell,” he says with my favorite devilish smile. “And you are most welcome. I was wondering, are you free tomorrow?” He runs his hand through is hair. Is he nervous to ask me out? Can’t be, seriously, can’t be.
    “Yep, I actually have the next three days off. What did you have in mind?” While I am curious, I’m also more than willing to go just about anywhere with him.
    “Well several things, honestly.” He winks coyly at me. “I was thinking I would still very much like to replace the clothing that was ruined the other night. Would you be willing to come up to my place tomorrow for lunch?”
    “Sure. That would be nice,” I respond quickly. I am not sure what replacing my clothing and lunch have to do with each other, but I am eager to find out. The door to the pub opens again and this time it is Mr. Greene and two of his sons. They pause to speak with Mr. Johnson and Mr. McIntyre. All five men turn to look at Eric and start heading towards the bar counter.
    “I should go before that wanker of a Lord makes a scene in here again for you. I will send a car tomorrow at noon. Bye, honey,” he says as he stands. He leans over the counter and briefly kisses my forehead before heading out the door.
    I find it funny that I am swooning from a light kiss on my forehead. I turn to see the gentlemen standing by the door with their mouths open and can’t help but giggle.
    “Good afternoon, Mr. Greene. Usual pints for you and the boys?” I ask, pretending nothing out of the ordinary just happened.
    “Yes dear. Thank you,” he replies as they take the table next to the chess game.
    I turn to grab glasses for the beer and jump. Patrick is standing a few feet behind me. “Shit! You scared the hell out of me! How long have you been standing there?” I question him as I take a swing at his arm.
    “Long enough,” he laughs and deflects my swing. “So, who was the guy in the suit?”
    Patrick is a young guy that helps in the kitchen when he isn’t off on a fishing boat. He is a handsome Irish man with strawberry blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. He is really nice and we chat a little. I wouldn’t say we are friends but more like work acquaintances. Maggie has been trying to set me up with him since my first week here. Unfortunately for Maggie, Patrick would be much more interested in Eric than he ever would me.
    “Um, that is Lord Eric Ashford. He bought Greenwood Manor a few months ago,” I answer again trying to be vague on purpose.
    “Really? He looks like a Gucci model. Is he single?”
    “Yes, he does, and yes he is, but he isn’t on your team,” I whisper and smile at Patrick. It seems I can’t stop smiling today.
    “Yeah, I figured that when I saw him look at you. You will have to let me know if he has a brother,” Patrick whispered back. Patrick doesn’t really try to hide who he is, but Edgecombe is a very small conservative town. He says it just makes his life easier to not advertise. “I am going to go start the prep. Let me know if you need anything, your Ladyship.”
    The next few hours are pretty typical for a weeknight at the pub. The only thing that seems different is every now and again I hear someone say my name in a low conversation. A few times I have caught some of the women openly pointing at me while whispering. At first I feel self-conscious. I try to avoid eye contact with anyone and keep busy. Then I overhear two of the women talking.
    “Have you seen him? I can’t say I blame her,” the first woman says.
    “Well, no me either. Just doesn’t seem fair, her being American and all,” the second woman groans.
    “I wouldn’t care if he was from Mars. If I got the chance, I would have a go at him too. I just wish I was twenty years younger. I’d give her a run for her money and not give a damn what anyone thinks,” the first woman