Chapter Twenty-Eight

 

Aubrey stared after Ian, wanting to go after him and explain why she hadn't mentioned Nelson. She frowned. Why hadn't she mentioned him? God, what he must think of her. She'd let him kiss her. Who was she fooling? He wasn't the only one doing the kissing. She'd kissed him back. She chewed on her lower lip, not listening to what Nelson was saying until two words caught her attention. "My room?" Her gaze landed on him in panic. "What about my room?"

"Aubrey, have you heard a word I've said to you?"

No, she hadn't. "I'm listening. Go on."

"I had my luggage sent to your room. I'm taking you up on your offer. I thought we'd spend a week here before we head back to Seattle." He leaned forward to kiss her, but at the last moment, she turned her cheek. He pulled back to look at her. "Not exactly the reception I was hoping for. You don't seem happy to see me."

"Don't be silly." Her chuckle almost choked her. Only hours before, she had decided to call it quits with him for his lack of interest in their relationship, but here he was willing to spend the week with her. "I'd love to spend time with you, but I'm not quite finished with my article." An understatement since she hadn't started it yet. Sure, she had the background information and the photos, but she needed to pull it all together with the stories regarding the magic box. "Loretta's been breathing down my neck." This wasn't a lie either. "I don't have time to entertain you." Ouch. That didn't come out right.

His brows lifted and he stared wide-eyed for a full two seconds. "Entertain me?"

"I mean…" She wasn't explaining herself well. Why did Nelson show up now? He told her he couldn't leave town and then without notice he waltzes right in here and expects her to drop everything. This stunt was so Nelson. He expected her to be available when he managed the time to be. Then a pang of remorse shot through her. She closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose. She should be thrilled to see him. Why wasn't she? She took a deep breath, looked at him and started over. "I'll be busy with my article. I won't be much fun." Her lips slid into an apologetic smile.

He studied her and she could tell he was trying to find a reason he shouldn't believe her. "Are you sure that's all?"

"What else would it be, Nelson? I do work." She sounded defensive even to her own ears.

"I never said you didn't. If you want, I'll ask for another room." He turned toward the front desk, but the desk clerk had stepped away. Nelson reached for the gold bell at the end of the counter.

I've hurt Nelson's feelings, but it's his fault, damn it. Why didn't he call me first?

She shook her head, realizing how ridiculous that sounded. She grabbed his arm, halting him. Nelson was her boyfriend, for goodness sakes. A few days with Ian didn't change the fact, and he came all this way to be with her.

Then it hit her, the weird feeling of free fall in the pit of her stomach. She knew why Nelson had dropped everything to be with her. Why he'd been spontaneous for the first time in his life. "Well, I'll be damned."

Nelson's brows furrowed. "I swear, Aubrey, what is it with you?"

She met his gaze. "The magic box."

He blinked and stared at her. "Are you talking about the article you're writing?"

"This isn't just about the article." She reached for his hand. "You have to see it." She dragged him into the library and pointed to the curio cabinet. "The magic box is on the third shelf."

He looked at her before he bent down to examine it. "Where is it?"

"Next to the Blarney Castle teapot." She leaned down, too and pointed. "There."

"Oh, I see it." He stood straight again his shoulder lifting in a shrug. "So? Doesn't look all that special to me."

"For your information, that box is believed to grant wishes during the Spring Equinox."

He chuckled. She'd had the same reaction, but for some reason, his laughter annoyed her. He looked at her, his head tilting to the side. "Don't tell me you're starting to believe in this malarkey?"

"You're here," she said, as if that explained everything. Well, it did, didn't it? "I placed the paper in the box. Don't you find it odd that you were able to break away from work to be here?"

"You wished for me?" He lifted one brow and grinned.

"I wished for a soul mate," she snapped with irritation.

"I'm flattered." He leaned forward and kissed her quickly on her lips. "And, you're cute."

"You don't believe it could happen." For some reason his lack of faith left a sour taste in her mouth.

His lips twitched. "Do you mean in magic boxes granting wishes?"

"You know that's exactly what I mean."

"Then, no."