Through Your Eyes

by Shannyn Schroeder

  “Yep.”

  “You know that I don’t give a fuck what most people want to put on their bodies, but as your boss and friend, putting a chick’s name on your body usually isn’t a bright idea.”

  Tommy knew that. But he wanted this. He knew it was right. “I’m sure.”

  “It’s your body. Where do you want it?”

  Tommy placed a hand over his heart.

  “Never figured you for a sap.”

  “Shit. You’re one to talk. I’ve seen you with my sister.”

  “My business is not yours. When do you want to do this?”

  “ASAP. It’s a surprise.”

  “How the fuck are you going to hide a new tat on your chest?”

  “I figure as long as I don’t shower with her, I’m good. I can keep it covered when I’m home. Then let it free when I’m out.”

  Kai shook his head. “I’m available now. You want to start?”

  “Sure.” Tommy stripped off his shirt. While he had full sleeve tattoos on his arms, he only had a couple on his torso. The black-and-white rose with Deirdre’s name would be a good contrast to the color covering the rest of him.

  He sat in Kai’s chair and waited. Puck came over from the front of the shop. “For real, man? You asked Kai to do your work?”

  “No offense.” There was no reason he’d asked Kai, other than he admired Kai’s work. Puck was a good artist, and if it had been anything else, he might’ve asked Puck. But this one was too important.

  Puck leaned against the counter and waited for Kai to return with the thermal image for Tommy’s skin. “Shit. First you get married, now you’re putting her name on your skin? You’re a goner.”

  Yeah, he was. He didn’t even try to argue. Kai sat and said, “Get back to work.”

  “My client’s not due for a while. I got time.”

  “Well, I don’t like an audience.”

  Puck huffed and went back to the couch at the front of the studio. Within a couple of minutes, he was laughing with Karla. Obviously he wasn’t too bothered by Kai doing Tommy’s tat.

  Kai worked quickly and efficiently. Tommy was sore when he was finished and he might need a little touch-up after it healed, but even with the irritated skin on the edges, it was perfect.

  On his way home, he picked up pizza and took it straight upstairs. They’d moved up to Jimmy’s—then Norah’s—room, and it gave them so much more freedom. Deirdre was sitting on Jimmy’s old chair, reading a book. “Hey, how was your day?”

  “Same as every other day.” She sighed and scooted to the edge of the seat.

  “No luck on finding a job?”

  “If I’d had luck, I’d be skipping through the neighborhood. I can’t believe how quickly David at Blackstone’s replaced me. I’d hoped my replacement wouldn’t work out.”

  “You’ll find something. Don’t stress.”

  “Easy for you to say.” She stood and wrapped her arms around his neck. When she stepped back, she set her hand right over his new tattoo. “What’s this?”

  “I got a new tattoo.”

  “You did? You didn’t say you were getting one.”

  He lifted a shoulder. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing,” he lied. His stomach clenched again.

  “Let me see.”

  “It has to stay covered to heal.” Another lie.

  “I can’t even peek?”

  “No. It’s too fresh. Plus it doesn’t even look good yet.” God, he hated this. “Let’s eat.”

  He tossed his keys and phone on the dresser. “I’ll go get some napkins. Pick something to watch on TV.”

  In the kitchen, he grabbed the napkins and some drinks. Sean came in the back door.

  “Enjoying your apartment upstairs?”

  “We are. Thanks.”

  Sean shot him a dirty look, not that Tommy cared. He did enjoy having privacy with Deirdre.

  “Party plans in place?”

  “Shh,” Tommy said. “She’s right upstairs.” He looked around the corner to make sure they were alone. “Yeah. I don’t think she suspects.”

  “How are you going to get her out of the house?”

  “That’s the easy part. We’re going to go to church with her.”

  “We? We who?”

  “Calm down. Me and Eileen.”

  Sean started to laugh. “You’re going to church.”

  Tommy rolled his eyes. “Not so unbelievable. I’ve done it before.”

  He slapped Tommy’s shoulder. “It’s understandable when you’re trying to get the girl. But you got her.”

  Tommy shook his head. At the rate Sean was going, he’d never get Emma to the altar. “Yeah, and I want to keep her. So if an hour at church makes her happy, that’s what I’ll do.”

  “You want to go grab some food?”

  “Nope. I got pizza upstairs.”

  “And you’re not going to share?”

  Tommy shrugged. “I’ll ask Deirdre if she cares. Give me a minute.”

  He ran up the stairs, taking two at a time. When he got to their room, he said, “Do you care if Sean—” He stopped short at the look on Deirdre’s face. “What is it?”

  “Your phone rang while you were downstairs. Someone named Chrissy?”

  Her expression said so much more than her words. And he didn’t know how to fix that without another lie. He blew out a breath. “It’s not what you think. No, it is, but . . .” He tried again. “She’s a girl I saw a couple of times. It was nothing serious.”

  “Are you seeing her now?”

  “What? No!” He stepped closer, setting the napkins and drinks on the table. “I don’t even remember the last time I saw her.”

  “Then why is she calling you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  She took his hand and pressed his phone into his palm. “Maybe you should call her back and find out.”

  Tommy stared at the phone. He knew this was one of those chick tests and he was bound to fail.

  * * *

  Deirdre’s heart jumped around in her chest until it landed in her throat. She normally wouldn’t have picked up Tommy’s phone, but it had seemed as though they were in such a solid place, where they shared everything. Seeing another woman’s name pop up on the screen had done all kinds of awful things to her insides.

  Even though she knew it was ridiculous. Chrissy could’ve been a client or a friend, no different from Karla. But then he’d confirmed she was a past lover and it had only made things worse.

  Now she was being stupid and pushing him to call her. But after years of never pushing anyone, she needed to know.

  Tommy’s eyes rose and stared right into hers as he hit the call button. Putting the phone next to his ear, he asked, “Would you prefer I put it on speaker?”

  Deirdre felt like she might vomit. She shook her head. It was bad enough to know he was actually calling the woman. She didn’t want to hear her.

  “Hey, Chrissy. It’s Tommy.”

  Deirdre turned away at the friendly sound of his voice.

  “Thanks, but I’m not interested. No, it’s not you. I’m off the market.”

  Deirdre turned back around. Tommy looked right into her eyes.

  “I’m married.” He smiled, but Deirdre didn’t know if it was meant for her or Chrissy. “Falling in love kind of snuck up on me.”

  Deirdre’s stomach tumbled again. Love? He loved her? She suddenly couldn’t swallow or inhale deeply. Her heart tightened and the lump in her throat grew to an impossible size, threatening to make her burst into tears.

  “Yeah, thanks. You too.” He disconnected, and for the first time, his gaze left Deirdre’s.

  Her stomach sank and she didn’t know what to say. With her head down, she wrestled with words and emotions. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “You don’t have to be sorry. I get it. I’d be pissed if some random guy was calling you too.” His feet came into her vision. His hand gently touched her jaw, lifting it. “She doesn’t m
atter. She was from my old life. You’re my new life and you’re all I care about.”

  “Hey,” Sean called. “Can I have pizza, or what? You didn’t come back.”

  Tommy backed up, and they both looked at Sean, who stood in the doorway with his hand over his eyes.

  Deirdre choked out a laugh. She still often felt awkward around Sean because he’d seen her naked, but it was getting better.

  “Yes, Sean, come in and have dinner with us,” she offered.

  “Are you decent?”

  “Would I invite you in otherwise?”

  His hand dropped. “Guess not.” Sean strolled straight for the pizza box.

  “Are we good?” Tommy asked her.

  “Better than I thought a few moments ago.”

  “What did you think a few moments ago?”

  She lowered her voice so Sean couldn’t hear. “That I was going to lose you to some woman named Chrissy.”

  “Shit. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

  “I’ve no desire to get rid of you.”

  “Glad to hear it.” His arm wrapped around her waist, and he kissed the top of her head. “Have you talked to your family again?”

  They walked over to where Sean was sitting in one of their two chairs and turning on their TV. So much for having privacy.

  “I spoke to my dad this morning. He’s doing better with the whole marriage thing, I think. Maybe I should go home and reassure them or something.”

  “I thought going home was a bad idea.”

  “What? Like they’re gonna kidnap her or something?” Sean asked.

  “When is it ever bad to spend time with family?” she asked sweetly.

  “Let me talk to Jimmy about it. He said there are rules about travel.”

  “Your government and its rules. So because I married you, I have to give up my family?” She took a slice of pizza from the box.

  “Not give up. We’ll deal with it.”

  She didn’t even know why she was being so ornery. She didn’t have a job and couldn’t very well pay for a plane ticket anyway. The one she had would only get her one way.

  As if he sensed her irritation and general discomfort, Tommy smiled at her. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “You two done arguing now? Blackhawks are on.”

  She bit into her pizza because she truly didn’t want to argue. She wanted peace. From Tommy. From his family. From hers.

  Although things had felt so settled between her and Tommy for weeks now, these past few days had been different. Tommy was hiding something, which made her suspicious, and she didn’t like feeling that way about him. What if the conversation with Chrissy was an easy way to cover up another woman?

  Everything that had happened with Rory haunted her. She needed to keep her eyes open to every possibility.

  “You’re coming to our game tomorrow, right?” Tommy asked.

  “I suppose. It’s not as though I have anything else to do.”

  “Still no luck with a job?” Sean asked.

  She shook her head. She was getting tired of saying that. She was an excellent employee, and she loved to bake, but given her lack of experience, she’d take any job now. Even working at O’Leary’s Pub was starting to look good.

  “I’ll ask Emma if she knows of anything.”

  “Thanks.”

  They watched hockey in silence for a while. At least as silent as two O’Malley boys could be while screaming at their favorite team.

  * * *

  Deirdre stood in front of her closet, excited to talk to Tommy, but he probably wouldn’t be home until late. Saturdays were almost always late nights. She could go to the studio to tell him the good news, but Kai always made her feel like she didn’t belong there. Calling him was an option, but she wanted to see him, tell him in person.

  Her life was finally looking up. A new job the day before her birthday. Maggie had made plans for a girls’ night out for her birthday, and Tommy had insisted that they order a birthday cake from Blackstone’s tomorrow to celebrate. She’d scoffed at the idea because she could just as easily make her own cake. Tommy had said no one should have to make her own birthday cake.

  She swallowed her excitement and pulled out a nice spring dress to wear to church. She’d continued to go on Saturday evenings because she liked to stay in bed late with Tommy on Sundays. Sunday mornings were the only time they were almost guaranteed not to be interrupted by family or hockey.

  Slipping the dress over her head, she heard footsteps on the stairs and quickly tugged the material in place. She hadn’t locked the door because Sean rarely came upstairs. The space was much like a separate apartment, but she missed having her own kitchen.

  “Hey,” Tommy called. Then he snapped his fingers. “Seconds too late.”

  “What? What’re you doing home?”

  “I knew you’d be getting ready for church, but I missed the show.” His gaze made a slow journey up and down her body, warming her along the way.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

  “I’m done for the day.”

  Shoot. He’d want to spend time with her. He always did and mostly, she loved it, but she also liked her routine of walking to church. But then she realized she had her chance to share her news. She smiled brightly. “I found a job.”

  “You did? When? Where?”

  “I went on an interview this morning. It’s at a new grocery. They’re expanding their bakery department. It was quite strange. I thought I’d answer some questions and then be on my way. But they asked me to discuss recipes and taste test some pastries. Strangest interview ever. But I obviously said the right things because they hired me on the spot.”

  He stared at her slack-jawed and she realized she was running at the mouth again. She inhaled deeply and waited for him to process what she’d said.

  Instead of speaking, he rushed forward and scooped her up with a yell. He twirled her in a circle, and when she slid down his body back to the floor, he captured her mouth.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I was tired of getting my hopes—and yours—up. I figured if nothing came of it, you didn’t need to know.”

  “You can tell me anything. Even when it’s bad. Especially when you’re bummed. I’m glad you found something you wanted.” He pressed another kiss to her lips.

  Her heart felt so light, she couldn’t help but smile. She stepped out of his arms. “I have to get going. Eileen is expecting me.”

  “Can I come?”

  “To church?”

  He nodded. “I don’t want Eileen to think that I’m not willing to go with you. If church will make her like me and take it easier on you, it’s worth it.”

  “You don’t have to do that. Aunt Eileen and I are doing well. I’m to pick her up in a few minutes.”

  “I’d still like to come. It’s not as bad as I remember from childhood.”

  Deirdre was torn. The fact that Tommy wanted to join her for mass was important. She recognized that. But she also didn’t want to be late to meet Aunt Eileen. “Hurry,” she said.

  Tommy was already tugging off his shirt as he ran into the bathroom. A small sigh slipped past her lips. She loved watching him. His body was like the artwork they’d seen at the museum. Sometimes, while they lay in bed, he’d tell her the story behind one of the tattoos. Little glimpses of the boy he’d been and the man he was still becoming.

  Every snippet she learned about him intrigued her, and it seemed as though he’d never run out of stories. Many were designs that he simply found cool. Others held deep meaning and it was those she longed to hear about. Like the angel on his left shoulder blade, an image for the mother he had no memory of. Or the fire-breathing dragon that ran down the length of his upper arm because he’d been small as a boy and he wanted to grow up to be fierce.

  “Keep looking at me like that and we’ll really be late to meet your aunt.”

  Deirdre smiled and turned away. She fussed with her hair as she sto
od in front of the window that overlooked the street in front of the house. The neighborhood was lovely, and while she’d yet to meet most of the neighbors, Tommy was continuously pointing people out to her.

  It wasn’t so different from her home. Movement caught her eye, and she saw Eileen heading across the street. Deirdre checked the time. She wasn’t late. Not yet anyway.

  “Hurry, now. Eileen’s coming. I’ll see you downstairs.” She flew down the stairs faster than ever. The last time Eileen had been in the house was to argue with Seamus over Deirdre and Tommy.

  Seamus had already opened the door to Eileen. They mumbled some greeting to each other that Deirdre couldn’t hear.

  “Aunt Eileen. I was just on my way over. Tommy will be coming with us again, but I’m not late.”

  “I’m aware. I was ready and I came to invite Seamus.”

  Deirdre swallowed hard as she looked at her father-in-law. She had no idea what to say or do.

  “Seamus O’Malley, it would do you good to get out. Do you even remember the last time you attended mass?” She didn’t wait for an answer, seeing as he probably didn’t remember. “It’s a beautiful day. The fresh air is good for your body and mass is good for your soul.”

  Thundering footsteps told Deirdre Tommy was ready. He hit the bottom of the steps and froze. “What’s going on?”

  “Eileen invited your dad to mass.”

  “Don’t all stand there staring at me. Fine. I’ll go.” Seamus pointed at the door. “After you.”

  Eileen walked to the front of the house and Seamus followed.

  “What the hell was that?” Tommy asked quietly.

  “I’ve no idea.”

  “Go on out with them. I’m going to let Sean know Dad’s coming with us. I’ll be right there.”

  Deirdre thought it odd that Sean would care where they were going, but she didn’t want to leave Eileen and Seamus alone too long. The two of them were always sniping at each other.

  On the front porch, she paused. Eileen and Seamus were already shuffling down the block side by side. Hmm.

  Tommy came out and said, “Where’s my dad?”

  Deirdre pointed down the block.

  “What do you make of that?”

  She shook her head. “I thought they hated each other.”