Satan, Line One

by M. J. Schiller

  “Ginny. It’s your night off.”

  She gave me a crooked smile. “You’ve done enough for one night, Killian. I’ve got this.”

  I came her way and tried to wrestle a mug out of her hand.

  “I can handle this. You go down there until we need you to Conor McGregor someone else.”

  I chuckled at her reference to the fighter. “I’m about as Conor McGregor as you are. Now Quinn there….”

  She gasped. “I know. Did ya see that? He was riding that ass like ’e was one of them grocery store horses.”

  “I know.” Since she seemed to have things in hand, I moseyed back to my side of the bar to fill orders.

  I looked at Sam, Dani, and Josephine. “Ladies, what can I get ya?” They seemed hesitant. “What? After I go to battle for ya, and all?”

  Sam looked at her friends. “Okay. One more. But no shots.”

  Jo grabbed a stool. “I’ll take one of those.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “A Guinness?”

  “Yes.” Her smile was radiant.

  “Okay.” I looked at Dani and lifted my chin.

  “Cider.”

  I nodded. “Sam?”

  “Miller Lite.”

  I winced, but poured it.

  Dani and Sam fell into conversation again. Teddy and Quinn continued to regale each other with tales of the row we had, some of them even true. I leaned into Jo. “Why’d you order a Guinness?”

  She shrugged. “When you’re in an Irish pub, do what the Irish do?”

  I snorted. “Darlin’, the only authentic Irish thing in this place is me. And the Baily’s, Jameson’s, Tullamore Dew, and Guinness.” I grinned. “A token Irish, I am.” I looked around the motley place. “What sort of Irish bar doesn’t have Irish music, I ask ya?”

  “Well, you’ve got a point there.” She twisted to assess the room again, then looked at me. “So why don’t you open your own place?”

  “Well, see, there’s this little problem of a big loan. And me da always said, ‘If you buy what you don’t need, you may end up having to sell what you do.’”

  “Good advice in general. But this wouldn’t be wasting money. This would be investing in yourself.”

  I tipped my head with a smile. “Hmm.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “Hey. Don’t give me that look.” She glanced away and back. “You know the business. You have good ideas. And with your charm, the place would be packed every night.” For some reason, she said it sadly.

  “Killian.”

  I ignored the customer and took her hand in both of mine, bringing it to my lips. It was a bold move, but I was feeling a might bold after my scrap. “You find me charming?” I wiggled my brows, peered deep into her eyes, brushed my lips over her velvet skin, continuing to cup her hands.

  “Killian!” someone shouted.

  She leaned in. I don’t know if it was the Arthur Guinness talking, or her own adrenaline from the fight, but she wasn’t acting the timid, reserved Josie she usually was. I was glad Dani and Sam were otherwise occupied because I think she would have shrank back into her more familiar role if they were paying attention. Her gaze flitting to my lips, her own, trembling in this entirely inviting way. My heart thumped to beat the band and I was terrible frightened she’d hear it. “Like…” she breathed. She lifted a finger and traced my lips. “…you,” she separated each word with a baiting pause. “…don’t…know…you’re…charming.” She tapped my lips with the last and pulled back, giving me a brash, sexy smile. I slowly lowered my forehead to the bar and was pleasantly bathed in her tinkling laugh.

  “Killian Murphey. Would you make a man die of thirst?”

  I growled, lifting my head. “Good Lawd, Jack McKenzie. Shut your trap, would ya? Can’t you see I’m trying to woo this lass?”

  “Aye. I can see that. But it don’t make me any less thirsty.”

  I sighed and headed toward the big mouth. I spun around after a few steps and walked backward the rest of the way. I laced my fingers, but pointed at her with two extended. “You’re in trouble.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  I shook my head with a smile as I gathered the drink. So my shy, staid, little principal had a dab of the temptress in her. That suited me just fine.

  Chapter 13

  Zoe

  Fifteen outfits were spread out and/or wadded on my bed, and I was back in the first outfit I’d tried on, the dress I had worn to my Aunt Sam’s wedding. I turned sideways, smoothing a hand along the front as I checked out my reflection. The green did accent my eyes, but was it too…I don’t know…juvenile, to be wearing for our important date?

  I crossed to the window. Zack’s curtain was drawn. Was he getting ready, too? Something told me he didn’t have fifteen outfits on his bed. Guys had it so easy.

  I picked my phone up from my desk and looked at the message I’d saved since Wednesday.

  WOULD YOU BE AVAILABLE SATURDAY? I’D LIKE TO TAKE YOU OUT SOMEWHERE NICE. I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOMETHING IMPORTANT.

  A warm shiver of anticipation ran through me. He’d acted so weird all week. I’d talked to Chrissy Henson about it.

  “What do you mean weird?”

  I smiled and shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s been kissing me a lot. Telling me he loves me. And he’s been super serious. I don’t know…he’s just been…different. And today he was plain nervous. Like he was asking me out on a first date or something. Weird.”

  She sucked in air, her eyes glowing. “OMG!”

  Alarm set in. “What?”

  She took my hands and did these mini jumps of excitement. “OMG!”

  “Would you stop saying that?”

  She steered me out of the flow of traffic in the crowded hallway we were in. “Don’t you know what this means?”

  “Obviously not. That’s why I asked you. Have you lost it, Chrissy Jean?”

  “Oh, Zoe.” She looked like she was ready to cry and squeezed my hands. She spoke slowly, as if preparing me for her words, dipping her head and looking at me intently. “He’s going to…propose.”

  I stared at her for a moment. “You’re bat-shit-crazy. He’s not going to propose.” I guided her back into the flow of the hallway and stepped up my pace, as we were now in danger of being tardy. “You read too many of those Harlequin romances.”

  “No, Zoe. What else would it be?”

  I had no answer for that. What would be so important we had to get all snazzed up and go to The Green Gateau to discuss it? I mean…proposing? My dad would kill us. And when he was done killing us, his mom would murder us. I mean, we were too young, weren’t we? But still….

  Damn, Chrissy. Her excitement infected me and all day I’d imagined different romantic ways Zack could propose to me. That was crazy. It wasn’t me. I wasn’t one of those girls who wrote their first name with their boyfriend’s last name all day long. At least not all the time. I didn’t dream of wedding plans, draw my dress, watch those stupid wedding shows. Okay, maybe once or twice, but I didn’t like it. But…could I help it if I was a tiny bit pumped for tonight’s dinner?

  I mean, it sort of made sense. He was going to be going away to school, and he’d want to solidify our relationship before leaving, right? And, it really didn’t matter how Zack proposed, of course I’d say yes. Zoe and Zack, womb to tomb. I was so into him it hurt sometimes.

  One thing I didn’t understand, though. He wanted to meet me there. That made about zero sense since we’d be leaving from practically the same place. I tugged the filmy curtains on my window back, as if that would somehow, magically open his.

  What are you up to Zachariah Avery Issaacs?

  My palms were sweating and I was shaky, but I was going to play it cool. I would be completely surprised by whatever it was he was going to say. But my heart was bubbling over. I gave myself one last look in the mirror, took a deep breath, and laughed at myself.

  You are such a dork, Zoe.

  I swung around my bedpost and rushed downstairs.
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  Zack

  I was sick to my stomach.

  I can’t believe I’m going to do this.

  My whole life was riding on this night and I wasn’t sure if I could go through with it. And Zoe was so sweet all week.

  I jerked on my tie as I followed the host, weaving through tables. I was sweating so much I was worried my bangs were wet. And this place wasn’t helping, either. White tablecloths, crystal…I was definitely going to puke. When the guy I was following juked to the right to go around a table, I saw her and froze.

  Oh, my God. She is so gorgeous.

  She was sitting at our table, holding her water glass and staring in the other direction. Her legs were crossed and the top foot was bopping around like she’d had too much Mountain Dew, which she probably had. She had that dress on.

  Geez.

  I couldn’t breathe. Her hair was up, like for the wedding, and she had on the head-bow thing, whatever you called those. It didn’t matter. She was an absolute fox. And…she was Zoe. My Zoe. I loved her. Loved her more than anything.

  I wasn’t going to be able to do this.

  She jumped when the guy leading me approached the table and her gaze searched for me as I hurried to catch up. When she noticed me, this smile broke out over her face that hit me like a stun gun. My legs dragged like I had a tackler attached to each one.

  “Hi.”

  I simply stared. I couldn’t find my voice.

  Her smile wavered. She looked at the host. “Thank you.”

  I said nothing, pulled out my seat, and yanked on my tie again as I lowered myself into it. I wasn’t comfortable. I glanced around at other guys and unbuttoned my suitcoat. It seemed acceptable.

  “How are you?”

  Awful. “Good. Yeah…. Did you order yet?”

  She looked confused. Stupid question. “No. I….” She glanced around at the other tables, too. Coming here was a bad idea. I wanted to make it special, but this wasn’t us. “I was waiting for you.”

  “Oh, okay. Good.” We sat in awkward silence. My head spun, searching for something to say, but any thoughts were echoing in the emptiness of my mind. I stared at the table. Comment on the weather? How nice she looked? Ask her about her day?

  I jumped when she touched my hand.

  “Zack? Are you okay? You look kind of pale.”

  She glided her thumb over the tops of my fingers. Her skin was so soft and she was so loving, and gentle, and good….

  “Zack?”

  “Uhh…no, I’m fine.” My mouth was dry and I slid my hand away from her to reach for my water. She sat back, dropping her hands to her lap. The water seemed to center me some. I leaned in. “I guess I’m…a little nervous.” I let my eyes wander around the room. “This isn’t exactly my scene.”

  “Oh. Well, we don’t have to stay here. We can—”

  “No,” I said a bit too forcefully.

  Her gaze flitted around again, probably seeing if anyone caught my outburst. “Okay.” She reached for her own water and took a drink.

  “I want it to be here.”

  She coughed and looked like she was going to spit out her water, but recovered. She smiled at me tentatively. “Want what to be here?”

  Do I do it now? No. I wanted her to have a nice dinner. Besides, I wasn’t ready.

  I’ve never taken her out someplace nice. Why haven’t I done that?

  I looked into her face and realized she’d been waiting for an answer. “Uhh…. Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”

  Thankfully the waiter came over at that time. We hadn’t even looked over the menu, so he said he’d come back.

  Zoe opened her menu, but kept looking at me over the top. I pretended to look at mine. I closed my eyes for a second. My head was pounding. I shook myself and tried to focus in on the fancy print on the page in front of me.

  Zoe closed her menu and slid it into her lap, leaning in. “Just pretend you’re someone else. A movie star or something. That’s what I’ve been doing. It’s kind of fun.”

  I exhaled and laughed. Leave it to Zoe. She unfolded her menu again and scanned it with this prim, superior expression on her face. She peered at me over the top and winked. I was able to relax a fraction and order dinner. Then that uncomfortable silence fell again. I went over what I needed to say in my head for the thousandth time. I had to get it right.

  Zoe interrupted my thoughts. “How’s your mom?”

  “My mom?”

  “Yeah. How is she? I haven’t seen her in a long time.”

  “Oh. Good. She’s doing good.”

  “Did she get that raise she wanted?”

  I smiled. “Yeah. She did.”

  “That’s great. She so deserved that. She works harder than any other nurse on that staff.”

  “Yeah. Right?”

  Zoe filled the table with mindless chatter, which is exactly what I needed. I managed to get my food down when it came. Zoe pigged out on dessert. I’ll never understand how she stays so skinny. I sat back at one point to watch her and my heart was full. One second it was warm, the next the weight of it dragged me under.

  “Mmm.” She laughed, wiping chocolate mousse from her mouth with her napkin. “I’m such a mess. This is way better than Jell-O pudding.”

  I chuckled, but it was hollow. I was running out of time.

  She pushed her dish away, put her napkin on the table, folded her arms and leaned on the table as she bent toward me. “So Zack,” she said quietly. She waited. “What’s this big surprise you have?”

  Oh, God.

  I laced my fingers and set my hands on the edge of the table and took a deep breath. Even so, I was sort of light-headed. I cleared my throat. This wasn’t going to go away. I needed to man up.

  “Zoe, you know how much I love you.”

  Her eyes twinkled. “Yes….”

  “And…I’m going to college after next year.”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  “I want you to have the best experience when I’m gone. To enjoy high school. Be free to do what you want.” I opened my hands, palms up. “Go to dances, to games, to do…whatever you want to do….”

  She nodded. Her face was so bright. I could hardly look at her. I got the feeling she wasn’t really listening, but I plowed on.

  “I think it may be time we see other people. Test the waters so we know it’s right between us….”

  Her smile faltered.

  “Then someday, maybe, after high school, we’ll get back together and—”

  “You’re breaking up with me?”

  “Uhh…I guess you could call it that….”

  “Usually that’s what it’s called when people stop seeing each other.”

  “But I’ll be around, Zoe. And we can still be friends.”

  She pushed away from the table. “You’re breaking up with me.”

  “Uhh, you see, it’ll be better for both of us.”

  She put a hand on her head. “Oh, my God. I’m such an idiot.”

  “What? Why?”

  She moved her hand to her chest and put the other hand over her mouth. Her face crumpled and she cried.

  I reached for her. “Zoe?”

  “No, Zack. No!” she bit off. She gestured widely. People began to become aware something was going on. “You brought me here because you thought I wouldn’t make a scene.”

  “What? No.”

  “Well, I hate to disappoint you.” She looked like she was going to say something else, but she jumped to her feet and ran out of the room.

  I sat, stunned. It all took a matter of a few minutes.

  A few minutes for me to completely rip my life to shreds.

  Chapter 14

  Killian

  Glasses were in the air, eyes were expectantly on me, I had my audience in the palm of my hand.

  “In light of the brouhaha we had the last time you ladies were here,” I tipped my glass toward them. “May the roof above you never fall in, and those gathered beneath it never fall out.”
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br />   Dani tilted her head and gave me a nod. “Very nice, Killian.”

  “I’ll be right back with you ladies. I need to check on some customers.”

  When I got back, Samantha was talking about her daughter having trouble in school.

  “Someone giving your wee one grief?” Broke my heart. From the pictures she had shown me, and stories she told, I could tell her Elise was a real doll.

  “Yes, unfortunately. We moved here to avoid this kind of crap. Elise takes it hard.”

  Kindhearted Dani was upset by the news. “I don’t know why kids have to be so mean.”

  “Sadly, it’s so easy these days,” Josie said. “With social media, the kids can be hateful to someone without facing them. It’s a real problem in schools. We do what we can, but a lot of this starts in the home.”

  “True.” Dani was staring over Sam’s shoulder. “Sam, don’t look now. But does the guy by the bathroom door look familiar to you.” Sam turned immediately. Dani bopped her on the head. “I said don’t look now.”

  “Oww. Well, how am I going to see if he’s familiar if I can’t look at him?”

  “You can look at him. Just not now. Do it subtly.”

  I took a gander. Tall and skinny. Stringy brown hair.

  “Has he ever been in here before, Killian?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  Sam twisted to look in as subtle a fashion as Sam was capable of. “Never seen him before.”

  Josie shook her head, too.

  “Why?” Sam asked. “Do you think you know him?”

  Dani peeked over again. “I don’t know. I don’t know how I would, but yet I feel like I recognize him.” She rubbed her arms. “He was looking over here earlier. He gives me the creeps.”

  I was on alert now, but I wanted to lighten the mood. I straightened and stuck my chest out. “Do you want me to throw him out?”

  They laughed, which is what I was hoping they would do. “No. Put your boxing gloves away, Tiger,” Sam said. “We won’t be needing any of your muscle tonight.”