“Focus! Imagine that Declan is Justin Timberlake. That is how big he is here. Maybe even bigger.”

I want to ask why because it seems silly to me that a whiskey maker is so famous. Before I do though, I say, “He does kind of have Justin’s hair from N’SYNC.”

“He does, doesn’t he?”

We both look around the corner at where Kane and Declan are talking. He looks so good, leaning against the bar carelessly, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. He is nervous, and I want to ease that. I don’t like that everyone is still staring at him either. He is a normal guy wanting some beer and pie. Can’t he eat his damn pie? I look back over at her. “He is so dreamy.”

“I know, but he is engaged and totally off-limits to us mere mortals. I don’t even know why he is here. It’s weird. I mean, look at the way everyone is just staring. It’s odd, you know?”

I don’t have to look, I know they are, but what I hate more than that is she just reminded me he is engaged. I forgot that part and now all my hopeful thoughts come to a crashing halt as my gaze falls back on him. He really is a gorgeous man but like she said, completely out of my grasp.

“I’m not going to treat him any differently. He is just a normal guy to me.”

She shakes her hand. “I’m telling you that you have to, Amberlyn. He isn’t normal.”

“Why though?” I ask before she walks away.

“Because he is the Whiskey Prince.”

My nerves are all over the place.

Since the moment we walked in and everyone’s gaze fell on me, my heart has been beating out of control. Then I sat down, she looked into my eyes, and everything disappeared. It was only us.

Amberlyn.

Fuck, she is beautiful. I thought she was something yesterday but today, all glossed up, wearing a sweet green dress with her hair tied up on top of her head, I can’t form a coherent thought. Kane was right when he said she had sweet eyes and freckles. Fuck¸ what a sight they are. They shine bright, her eyes, an unbelievable aquamarine that I’ve never seen before in person. They have specks of gold in them and shine even when she is looking at me all perplexed. Her freckles dust along her nose and cheeks, also in various spots all over her body. Her skin is red, and I figure that was from sitting out in the sun too long yesterday. The back of my neck is burnt, but having all the time I did to stare at her was completely worth it.

Even with her running around the pub working, I can’t help but watch her and know where she is every second. Everyone loves her. They all talk and have a laugh with her and when she laughs, I swear the world comes to a stop. I want to make her laugh.

Problem is—I’m not sure how to do that.

“You should ask her out.”

I look over at Kane, who is stuffing his gob with the fabulous cottage pie. Amberlyn was right. It was the best—not that I’d admit that to my ma or grandma. “Fuck off,” I scowl, shooting him a look as she comes up to us.

“Need anything, guys?”

Say something. Say anything. Tell her yes, that you need her number! Say something, you eejit! I scream to myself in my head.

“No, we are fine. Thank you.”

For fuck’s sake, I’m a gobshite. Pure and simple.

She sends me a quick grin before rushing off to fill pints for Fiona, who, by the way, is just a good looking as Kane claimed. I wish I would have said more, but I feel something between us. She keeps glancing at me, holding my gaze as she fills things from the tap or makes drinks. The air is sizzling and surely, I’m not the only one that feels it.

“Kane Levy, I’m not happy with you!”

I look up to find Fiona glaring at Kane. I glance over to see my best friend with a smirk on his face as he leans towards her.

“Is that right?” he asks.

“Yes, you didn’t call me and tell me you were coming in. I would have at least made sure my hair was done!”

He laughs as he shakes his head, reaching out to take her hand in his. She glances down at their entangled fingers before looking back up at him. Her face is warming with color, her eyes bright as she leans into the bar, closer to him.

“You’re undeniably the most gorgeous woman in the world. Bad hair and all.”

She giggles as he reaches out with his other hand, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. I can see their chemistry; it’s blinding. I like her for him too and can see why he’s so taken with her. I’m also jealous—I want what they have. I want Amberlyn to come over and get lost in my eyes. I want to touch her, feel her against me. Oh, I have it bad.

“When ya gonna ask me out?” she asks, bringing my attention back to them.

He chuckles, letting go of her hand and picking up his fork. “When I feel like it.”

“When’s that?” She’s biting her lip, looking extremely sexy, and I’m surprised Kane isn’t drooling over her. She’s a sight, that’s for sure.

“Not sure yet.

“You’d better hurry, I have plenty of offers,” she says. He laughs.

“Then by God, off you go. They won’t last a second. You’re mine.”

I scoff at that, but Fiona’s face reddens. She is about to say something, but Amberlyn calls her, “Fiona, come help me.”

“We will finish this later.”

Before she can walk away, Kane takes a hold of her wrist and says, “Yeah, over a drink tonight? Maybe go see a movie when you get off?”

She bites into her lip again, and I have to applaud him for his way with the ladies. She is his, she may not know it and might not want to admit it, but her body language says it all. With a nod, she says, “Yeah, I’ll get off early. I’m sure Amberlyn won’t mind.”

“Sounds good, text me.”

“I will,” she promises, and then she is off. I glance over to see Kane grinning, licking his fingers before draining the rest of his pint.

“She’s mad about you.”

“And I’m the same about her,” Kane admits as he looks away. “She’s a great girl.”

I take the last bit of my pie before pushing my plate away and sullenly say, “We need to get back.”

“Yeah, I know,” he says as he stands, throwing some bills on the bar. “Fiona, I’m off. See you tonight?”

“Yeah, see ya,” she calls from where she and Amberlyn stand, stacking dishes. Amberlyn looks at me and smiles. I want to say something, anything, but all I do is look away like a gombeen. Once outside, I let out a long breath as Kane clasps his hand on my shoulder.