Page 56 of A Second Chance Summer in Dublin
‘He seems keen to keep the conversation going.’ Donal nods to Logan who is still hovering close by. ‘It’s a lot to digest – you don’t need to rush your feelings. Just give yourself the time you need.’ He lets go of my elbow, pats my shoulder, before resting his hand on my cheek tenderly.
I put my hand over his. ‘I already have.’
‘One two, one two,’ Mia says. ‘Hello, my friends! Welcome to single town!’
The crowd cheers and whoops.
‘Look, I’m gonna bail. I hope that’s okay?’ Suddenly Donal drops his hand and tucks his hair behind his ears but I see a sad look in his eyes.
I feel that lump in my stomach now lodge in the back of my throat. ‘Please don’t go, Donal.’
‘It’s just .?.?. I think I want to.’ He shoves his other hand deep into the pocket of his jeans.
‘I don’t want you to,’ I whimper.
I really don’t want him to go.
‘You’ll be fine. There’s pink cake to be had! It’s like a jail cell, a huge cream sponge withMia Hunter Is Freeiced across the top, I saw someone bring it out.’ His elbows splay outwards, hebalances on the sides of his runners.
‘I want you to stay. Actually, no! I want us both to go!’ I’m panicking and don’t know how to fix this with him.
He just looks at me.
I can’t beg him. ‘Maybe you’re right.’
‘I think I am. I think I’m just adding to your load. You don’t need me here anymore. Just take a breath. You got this,’ Donal says. It’s gentle, matter of fact, with thought put into the sentence. He’s been thinking about it.
I inhale a lengthy breath, hold it and exhale slowly. ‘I really like you,’ I confess, weakly.
He pulls his hand out of his jeans pocket, kneads his chest with his fist. ‘I really like you, too, but—’
‘But what?’ My voice is flat, monotone, shaking.
Donal reaches forward and picks something off my face. ‘Eyelash.’ He holds up his finger. My face tingles under his intimate touch.
‘But what, Donal?’ I repeat a little manically.
‘Thank you all for coming .?.?. Now, where is Grace Algar? I need her up here with me.’ Mia’s happy voice crackles down the microphone.
Logan’s now right up in my personal space as I stand in my tight red dress, rooted to the spot, gazing up at Donal.
‘You’re needed, Gracie?’ Logan takes my free hand.
‘I’ll see ya, Grace. Enjoy the craic.’ Donal smiles.
And with that Donal turns on his heels and leaves me.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
‘Wait!’ I’m dazed. My stomach hurts watching Donal stride up the staircase. What have I done? Why do I feel so sick? He’s gone!
‘Mia’s asking for you up on the stage! Come on!’ Logan informs me, still pulling me through the crowd by the hand. People start to clap.
‘W-what? I have to go after him,’ I mumble, barely looking at Logan as I try to wriggle free from his grip.
‘Don’t be silly! This is Mia’s night!’ Logan pulls me along through the clapping crowd as people slap me on the back.
He’s right. It is Mia’s night! I try to focus on the reason I’m here.
