Maeve Flannery took a final look in the mirror. A well-built lass in jeans, low cut top and boots looked back. Thick dark blonde hair hung in curls down her back. Now, if only she was sure Colin would be at the pub tonight!
Maeve had waited all her 31 years for this vacation. Her mother was Irish, her dad American. Living in the States, her ma had never had the chance to go back to her homeland, but kept in touch with her family near Dublin. Maeve always wanted to visit the places she had heard about her entire life, and finally she was here! She had talked her best friend Molly into coming along. One entire month to explore the Republic!
Maeve was determined to meet Colin Farrell. Yeah, she knew his reputation, but it didn't bother her. In fact, she was banking on that to help her achieve her goal. The thought uppermost in her mind? Bed Colin! When planning the trip, she found out her favorite Irish pub band, Flogging Molly, would be playing several nights at Colin's beloved local pub.
Maeve and Molly had rooms at a nearby hotel within walking distance to the pub. Over the week, they had visited the establishment nearly each evening, mingling with the locals and enjoying the band. They had struck up a friendship with the bartender, who had taken a fancy to Molly. Though him, the girls always had choice seats and free Guinness.
Loud knocking on the door startled Maeve from her reverie.
"Come on in, Molly!"
Molly bustled into the room, hair flying and bags dragging. "Do you think we'll be needing jackets tonight?"
Maeve shook her head. "Nope, don't think so. Anyway, I won't be needing one..."
Molly giggled. "So, you think this will be the night, eh? Well, Paddy did say that he expected the Farrell entourage tonight." Molly leaned forward, and gave her friend a conspiratorial wink. "He's reserving the table next to ours for them!"
Maeve felt an involuntary shiver course through her. She had been a fan of Colin's for quite sometime, and tried to catch all of his movies. After her disastrous last romance, she had decided to reach for the stars. What the hell, you only live once, right? So, she found herself here, in Dublin with her best friend, only hours away from meeting the man of her fantasies!
"Molly, just remember, no knocking on my door at 4 am...I'll be busy!"
The girls broke up with laughter, heading out the door.
Paddy greeted the girls and showed them to their table. They could see that the tables next to them had reserved signs on them.
"Lassies, would you be having some dinner now?"
Molly shook her head yes. Maeve however, wasn't sure she could eat anything. Her stomach was just aflutter with nervous butterflies, but knowing she'd be having 'a pint or two', she thought she'd better eat something.
Paddy brought them the daily special and kissed Molly on the head. Maeve smiled at her friend. "Seems Ireland agrees with you, too."
Molly blushed. "Okay, okay, so I like him. Who says you're the only one who came here to get laid?" They burst out laughing, giving each other high-fives.
Shortly after the band started, Paddy joined the girls at their table. He had arranged for another bartender to take over for the night.
The band was kickin' and the Guinness fresh when Colin's crowd finally made an appearance. Well, if you can call 5 people a "crowd". Colin, his brother Eamonn, and three other pals quietly slid into the pub and had taken the table reserved for them. Seeing Paddy, Colin waved and raised his mug to him.
Colin had already checked out the two fine lasses sitting with Paddy. Obviously, one was with him, but the other, now she was a damn fine looking woman. Colin decided a closer look was in order. Making excuses, he made his way to the table behind Maeve's and sat down behind her.
She hadn't noticed when Colin moved because she was caught up in singing. She was trying her hardest to be casual, nonchalant, but had caught his eye a few times and given him her best smile.
She gasped when she felt his warm breath and the sound of his husky voice in her ear. "Now what would a lovely lass like yourself be doing in this pub knowing all the words to a Flogging Molly song?"