Luck Of the Irish Chapters 1-4

Chapter One

As Leila flopped down onto the soft feather mattress, she wondered yet again at the mad impulse that led her to come to Ireland. Maybe it was the bitterly cold weather back in Chicago. Maybe it was the fact that she’d recently taken a leave of absence from her job as a pediatrician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
But it was more likely the fact that her mother had passed away almost six months ago and Leila still felt lost.

She turned onto her side and tucked her knees into her chest. She stared blankly at the lace curtain that covered the window. The town of Dublin lay just beyond the curtains. Normally, Leila would’ve been excited to explore a new place. Instead, the thought of going out into the world felt more like a crushing load than a grand adventure. Leila could feel the black wave of sorrow threaten to drown her as she turned her face into the flowery duvet and cried.

It was the light fluttering through the eyelets of the curtain that awakened Leila the next morning. Leila groaned as she rolled over. Her entire body ached from the odd position in which she’d been sleeping.
Even worse was the fact that she’d forgotten to brush her teeth, she thought with a grimace.

Leila lay on her back. She stared unseeingly at the ceiling. She supposed that she should get up and get showered. Leila took a deep breath.

Get a grip, Mason, she told herself sternly.

She knew that her mother would have been disappointed by Leila’s lack of enthusiasm. Audrey Mason would have already been out of bed and practically dancing around the room in her excitement. She loved visiting new places, exploring, learning.

Leila allowed a small smile at the thought even as she felt her heart clench. Even after all these months, she still couldn’t believe that her mother was gone. At times, she felt as though she were trapped in a nightmare. The cancer had come so quickly, no one had been prepared. Not even her mother, who until the time she was diagnosed had been extremely healthy.

That was the problem. By the times the doctors caught the cancer; it was too late. It had metastasized throughout her entire body until it was virtually eating at her from the inside. Audrey died three months later.

Throughout that time, Leila hardly left her mother’s side. She was there when her mother drew her last breath. She’d been holding her hand.

And now she was alone.

With a weary sigh, Leila hefted herself out of bed. She shuffled her way towards the bathroom, removing her clothes as she went until they left a trail behind her.
In the bathroom, she accidentally caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She almost didn’t recognize herself.

Perversely, she thought, ‘Well, at least I finally lost those twenty pounds.’
And they were pounds that she could well afford to lose. Audrey had always affectionately referred to Leila as ‘Roly,’ as in roly poly. Leila had eventually come to accept that she would always be more than a bit pudgy.
She turned to study herself more fully in the mirror. The loss of weight had gone a long way to slimming her hips and buttocks. She looked more curvy and less like a pear. She decided that it was a good look.

It was anybody’s guess as to if she could actually keep it off.

Turning away, Leila turned on the taps and adjusted the temp before starting the shower. She stepped into the tub and under the warm, beating water. She allowed the water to work out the kinks in her neck and shoulders until the water began to cool.

She stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel. As she did, she became aware of a gnawing hunger in her stomach. She realized that she hadn’t eaten in almost 36 hours. She was famished.

Leila hurried through the rest of her morning ablutions. She set and dried her naturally curly hair until it fell in soft curls around her face. Leila’s smooth almond skin was a blessing as all she really needed was a quick swipe of lip gloss and some mascara. Back in the bedroom, she hastily donned a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. As she did, she heard the sounds of laughter and crowds outside her bedroom window.

Leila paused as she entered the lobby, unsure of her next move. When she’d arrived at the quaint B&B the night before, she’d been too tired to do anything but collect her room key. She shifted nervously from foot to foot. She could see no one behind the desk.

As she debated whether to go out to eat, she heard a movement from behind her. She turned to see who and entered the room.

And promptly swallowed her tongue.

Danger! her mind screamed.

The man’s stocky frame filled a tiny doorway to what Leila assumed was the storeroom. She estimated his height as maybe about an inch or so above six feet but his powerful frame made him appear more intimidating. He reminded her of a heavy-weight prizefighter, big and bulky.

However, it was his face that caught her attention. He wasn’t classically handsome. His age could have been anywhere from 30 to 50 but Leila guessed that he was probably closer to forty. His craggy, weatherworn face appeared stern and hard.
Until you looked into his eyes. They were the most startling blue she’d ever seen. Like a soft spring sky over a crystal clear lake. They could easily have been cold, but instead they twinkled with unknown merriment. There were deep lines around his eyes that stated that this was a man who loved to laugh.

The combination was baffling.

“Can I help you, lass?”

Leila allowed the smooth, rich sound of his voice wash over her. His voice managed to somehow be both comforting and dangerous.
Leila finally became aware that he was staring at her, waiting for an answer to his question.

Leila shook her head to clear it. “Sorry. Do you work here?”

She grimaced as she realized what a stupid question it was.

The man smiled, revealing dimples on either side of his firm, full mouth. Leila melted a little.

“That I do. At least for the day. Was there something that you were needing?”

At that moment, Leila’s stomach decided to make its demands known. Quite loudly. She could feel the heat begin to seep into her cheeks.

“Ah, so it’s a bit of the grub that you’re after.”

She smiled wryly. “How could you tell?”

The man winked at her. “I’m told that I have a bit of the fey in me. Come. Let’s go see what Old Bess has for you in the kitchen.”

“Oh, no,” she protested, “I don’t want to be any trouble. I can go out if I missed breakfast.”

“Nonsense. It’s no trouble. This is a B&B, is it not? What do we do but provide for bed and a breakfast? And I see you’ve had yourself a bit of one and now on to the other”

The man stepped away from the door and man is way toward her. For such a big man, he moved with surprising grace. His movements sleek and coordinated, much like that of a cat after its prey.

Suddenly, Leila’s heart began to race as though she were the one being stalked. She took an instinctive step back. The air in the room had suddenly gone thick. Leila found it hard to drag sufficient air into her lungs.

The man stilled. He cocked his head in askance. His eyes were gentle but…knowing.
Thankfully, she was saved from having to answer by the arrival of another person into the room. This one was blessedly female.

“Ah, lass, you’re awake then. And I see that my nephew Liam here is taking care of you well enough.”

Leila pulled her gaze away from Liam to see the person who was speaking. She was extremely grateful for the interruption.

It was the same woman that had checked her in last night. Now that she mentioned it, Leila could see the resemblance between the two. They had the same black hair and blue eyes, although Bess’ weren’t as brilliantly hued as Liam’s. Bess also had the same, tall, yet study body structure. They were definitely family.
Leila search frantically for her name. Shea? Shannon? Sheehan. That was it.

“Good morning, Mrs. Sheehan.” Leila dredged up a small smile for the woman.

“Oh, call me Bess. Everyone does.”

This time, Leila’s smile was genuine. “Bess. I was just asking your nephew if he could recommend a good place for breakfast.”

Bess smiled. “You’ll find no finer breakfast than right here in this very house.”
“I don’t want to be any trouble.”

“Bah.” Bess waved away her concerns. “What is this if not a place to fill your belly and find a good night’s rest?” Her words echoed that of her nephew.

Leila refused to look over at Liam. She had a feeling he would be smirking.
“Now come along, lass. I’m thinking that you’ll be needing a nice hearty Irish breakfast. Too skinny, you are.”

Leila opened her mouth to protest. Never in her life had anyone told her that she was ‘too skinny.’ She quickly shut it as she realized that she liked the feeling.

CHAPTER TWO

Liam stayed and watched as his aunt led the woman away. His eyes strayed to her hips as they swayed in time to her steps. Although he would’ve been embarrassed to be caught staring at the woman’s ass, he wasn’t ashamed to admit that the woman had a world-class arse.

Liam propped himself against the reception desk and considered the woman who’d just left the room.

Everything about her screamed woman and yet whispered fragile. There was something behind her dark chocolate eyes that bespoke pain, hurt. He wondered if she had recently broken up with a lover. It was one explanation as to why a single woman would travel all the way to Ireland by herself.

Maybe this was a lover’s trip, cut short by quarrel.

However, something deep inside him hoped that it wasn’t the case. There was something about the woman, with her soulful brown eyes and almond skin that spoke to him. Something that made him want to scoop her up and hold her until all the shadows disappeared from her eyes.

It was an uncomfortable feeling. One that he wasn’t sure he wanted to pursue.

Still, his curiosity led him to trail after her. He found them where he’d expected. Bess was buzzing around the kitchen. Her hands busy plating food. The woman, whose name he still didn’t know, sat quietly at the kitchen table as she quietly sipped coffee. She looked a bit bewildered, but then most people did when faced with his aunt.

Liam leaned against the doorway, simply watching. If he hadn’t been studying her so carefully, he would’ve missed the almost imperceptible stiffening of her back. She was aware of him even if she studiously avoided looking back at him.

“Here you are, love. You go right ahead and eat up.” Bess said as she placed the plate in front of Leila.

Liam’s smile widened as he watched the woman at the table took down at the items on the plate. He could practically see the wheels turning on her mind as she worked to decipher what exactly she was about to eat.

“Aunt Bess, I think I’ll have a bit of a bite as well.” Liam stated as he strode towards the table.

Bess looked startled. “Have you not eaten then, Liam?”

Liam straddled the chair next to Leila. As he did, his thigh brushed her. Leila stiffened even more and shifted to put some more distance between them.

“I have indeed, Aunt Bess. But there’s only so much temptation a man can take and your black pudding is one that I cannot resist.”

Bess looked pleased. “It’s a bit of the sweet tongue you’ve got, Liam O’Donnell.”
She hurried back to the stove to plate his food.

Liam turned his attention back to the woman sitting beside him. She stared down at the plate in consternation. Liam couldn’t resist the urge to tease her just a bit. He leaned over and whispered, “Don’t you worry, love. Aunt Bess makes the best bangers in all of Ireland.”

“Bangers?” she asked hesitantly.

“Sheep intestine,” Liam lied.

Leila recoiled.

Liam had to quickly bite his tongue to keep from laughing at the expression of sheer horror that crossed her face.

“Now, child, don’t be listening to Liam. He’s have a bit of fun on you. He has a liking for getting you Yanks all riled.”

Liam’s grin widened at the venomous glare Leila shot him.

“Now, eat up, girl. A good Irish breakfast will cure what ails you.”

Leila reluctantly picked up the fork. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“Not at all, love.”

“What exactly is that?” Leila’s for stabbed in the general direction of the fat, greasy black cylinder on her plate.

“It’s nothing but a bit of Black Pudding.”

“Black pudding.”

“I think you Yanks call it Blood Sausage.”

Liam watched the color drain from the woman’s face. Apparently, that wasn’t the
answer she was hoping for.

Still, he had to give her credit. She did take a tiny bite of the meat. And her
grimace was virtually undetectable.

“There’s a love,” Bess stated, pleased as punch. “There’s so wrong that a good breakfast can’t fix. So, how are you liking our fair Dublin.”

Liam watched the woman quickly swallow her food. “Well, the view out the window of the cab was lovely. I’m hoping to see some more today. The noise outside my window
reminded me of Chicago. I had no idea Dublin was so busy.”

“Well, it is and it isn’t. You caught us in the midst of our St. Patrick’s Day festival day,” Liam answered.

Leila looked surprised. “I totally spaced that it was St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday. But I thought it was only an Irish-American tradition. I didn’t think it was a big deal here in Ireland.”

“Yes, and you thought we’d let all you Yanks have the fun?” Liam winked.
He saw the uncomfortable look that crossed her face before she turned back to her food.

“So, miss, if it’s not a bit of old St. Pat that you’re after, what brings you to Ireland?” Bess asked.

Leila shrugged. “Honestly? I don’t know. My mother has always wanted to visit but she never got a chance to before…”

Light dawned on Liam. Her mam was gone.

Bess looked as though she wanted to reach out and hug the young woman. She paused as she thought better of it and settled for patting the woman’s shoulder. “Well, you picked a fine time to visit. Perfect time for you young ones.”

Leila offered a weak smile, her appetite gone. She picked at her food.

“So, what do you do there back in Chicago?”

“I’m a doctor. A pediatrician.”

Both Bess and Liam looked surprised. “Really? But you’re so young.” Bess protested.

Leila laughed at this. “Not so young.”

“When you get to be my age, there’s not many who aren’t so old.”

“Yes, Aunt Bess is positively in her druthers.” Liam added cheekily.
Bess swatted at him. “I swear if you weren’t my nephew, I’d cosh you.”

“Ah, Bess, gods be blessed for your gentle heart.”

Leila watched the pair as they teased one another and felt her heart squeeze. It was reminiscent of her own relationship with her mother. Unfortunately, her mother had had no family and only God knew where her father had disappeared. So when Miriam Mason had passed, she’d left Leila truly all alone.

“Excuse me,” Leila gasped, her eyes burning with tears. “I don’t think I can eat anymore. Thank you.” She pushed her chair back abruptly, the legs scraped the floor. Without looking back, she fled the room.

CHAPTER THREE

Bess and Liam stayed behind. They watched the distraught young woman hurry from the room as though the hounds of hell were at her heels.

“Poor, girl. So young to lose her mam.” Bess murmured.

Liam’s eyes were speculative. “Yes.”

Bess recognized the look of hunter in his eyes. “Now, Liam, don’t you be getting ideas. I won’t have you bothering Miss Leila while she’s staying here. She’s got enough on her heart right now without you adding extra burden.”

Leila. Liam rolled the room around in his mind. Sweet. Exotic. Much like the woman herself. “Aunt Bess, you know me.”

“Aye, I know you. And I know that you’ve got the silver tongue of the devil. That girls needs to heal. Not a tumble between your sheets.”

Liam looked offended. “I’m not that careless.”

Bess leaned over to pat his shoulder. “No, Liam. You’re a good man. But you’re hell on a woman’s heart.”

Liam wanted to argue but deep down he knew she was right. It wasn’t purposeful. He enjoyed the company of women, probably more than most. He found them the most fascinating of creature. He loved the way they smelled, the way they moved, the delicate line between the nape of their necks and their spines. The problem was, while he thought the woman fun, they had a tendency to want more. They wanted a relationship.

Liam shuddered at the word.

Bess nodded sagely. “I see that you take my meaning. Let the girl be. She needs to heal. And Ireland is a place of magic and miracles. I’m sure that she’ll find hers.”

Liam bowed his head in acquiescence. But his eyes strayed again to the door, his mind still on the woman with the strange, haunting eyes.

CHAPTER FOUR

Leila raced up the stairs, not stopping until she was back in her room. Breathless, she leaned back against the door.
Too soon. Too soon. The thought repeated over and over, a mantra in her head.
Coming was a bad idea, she thought. She was in no shape to be around people. It was part of the reason she’s decided to leave Chicago. She knew that she had alienated some of her friends. She felt raw and exposed and that made many people uncomfortable. Not that she could blame them for keeping their distance. Not many could tolerate being with a walking wound. For them, the death of a parent was a foreign idea. It had been the same for her…before.

Leila slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor. She rested her forehead on her bent knees. She willed herself not to cry. She’d never been a big crier and that weakness made her all the more disappointed in herself.

“Mama,” she whispered, the sound rife with a shattered heart.

Sitting there, Leila felt a strange sensation, like that of a stroke of fingers across her cheek. For a brief moment, she could have sworn she could smell the scent of her mother’s perfume. She closed her eyes. It was probably her mind playing tricks on her. Like before.

Before she’d left Chicago, Leila began to have strange hallucinations. She would see her mother standing outside her bedroom window or have incredibly vivid dreams of talking to her mother. In them, her mother had talked about how she’s always wanted to visit Ireland. She’d said that Leila should go in her place.

In desperation, Leila had gone to see a therapist. The woman had told her that it was not unusual for people who were grieving to think that they could see the deceased or ‘feel’ them in a room. It had helped to know that she wasn’t going crazy. The therapist had encouraged Leila to take this trip. She felt that it may help Leila feel a sense of closure around her mother’s death.
Leila was beginning to suspect that she’d wasted her money.

It’s okay, baby. Leila’s mother’s voice floated through her mind. Leila felt the
impact of them as immediately the tightness in her chest began to ease. Her
breathing slowed as a sense of peace flowed through her.

Leila stood and as she did, she wiped away the tears she’d been unaware were running down her face. She allowed herself a small smile.

Well, if you’re going to go crazy, she thought, you may as well do it in Ireland.
The worst they could call you is a wee bit daft.

She walked to the bathroom. Once inside, she turned on the water, intent of washing her face. Instead of the round of rushing water, there was instead a horrible grinding noise and before Leila’s horrified eyes, the pipe beneath the lovely pedestal sink burst.

“Oh, shit!” she exclaimed. “Fuck. Fuck. Shit fuck.” Leila frantically scrounged around for something to stem the rushing water. Finding no towels, she rushed from the room to the bedside phone.

“Um, I have a bit of an emergency here,” Leila began at Bess’s cheerful greeting. “Could you send someone with a wrench?”

Leila didn’t wait for Bess response before she hung up the phone and raced back to the bathroom.

After what seemed like several minutes, she heard a knock on the door.
“Come in,” she called, frantically attempting to use a hand towel to contain the leak.

“If you really wanted to see me again, you needn’t have flooded the bathroom. A simple phone call would’ve sufficed.”

Leila’s head whipped around at the sound of the arrogantly amused voice coming from the doorway.

“What are you doing here?”

Liam held up the wrench. “You rang?”

Leila bit her lip in frustration. He was the last person she wanted to see. “Do you plan on standing there all day or can you actually do something productive?”
Liam leaned against the door jamb. “I don’t know. I’m thinking that I like the view from here.” He said as he stared at her chest.

Leila looked down to where the water had soaked through her thin shirt and was plastered against her body. She could clearly see the outline of her breast and thanks to the simple laws of nature, her nipples stood out, diamond hard against the lace of her bra.

Leila gasped and covered her chest. “Pervert.” She accused.

Liam feigned hurt. “You can’t blame a man for looking. Especially when the scenery
is so tempting.” His voice dropped until it was practically a purr.

Leila shivered with awareness. For the first time since her mother died, she could feel the sizzle of attraction race down her spine.

Leila shot up like a cannon. “Um, can get it to stop.”

“I can try. I may not be successful.” Liam’s meaning was clear.

Leila ignored the spark of desire his voice ignited. “Please just fix it.”

Liam bowed gallantly. “You wish, my lady.”

Leila was tempted to say that he wish was that he leave her alone. That he stop tempting her with his hooded eyes and thinly veiled innuendo. Especially now that her body decided to emerge from its deep freeze. Leila was certain that it had more to do with the passage of time and the close proximity to an incredibly virile, incredible appealing man.

Leila couldn’t help but notice how snugly his jeans fit over his ass. She almost shivered when he bent over, tightening the fabric even further.

Stop staring at his ass! she admonished herself. But her eyes refused to listen and instead began to follow the line of his spine to the nape of his neck. She stared intently at the spot. She wondered what it would taste like if she were to go over and take a nip at it. She imagined walking over and grabbing that tender flesh between her teeth.

Her breathing quickened as she felt her body begin to soften. Her pussy began to throb.

She pictured dotting sweet, suckling kisses up and down his neck until she reached his mouth. There, she would place a hard, hungry kiss. The taste of him in her tongue would be tantalizing, spicy and exotic, much like the man himself.

Leila swing away from the door. She fanned her face, embarrassed at the direction of her thoughts. Another few seconds and she would have acted on her wanton thoughts.

What the hell was wrong with her? She was not the type of woman who engaged in erotic fantasies and she certainly never acted on them. Why all of a sudden, was she a needy mess?

“That should take care of your pipes for now, but I’ll have to run out to the shops to buy the parts. I should have your pipes good as new by tomorrow,” came Liam’s muffled voice.

Leila almost laughed at the absurdity of talking about her ‘pipes.’ If he only knew.

“Thanks,” she croaked.

Liam emerged from the bathroom. He tilted his head to stare at her. “Are you alright, love? You’re looking a bit peaked.”

Leila didn’t return his stare, afraid of what he might see in her eyes. “I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep last night.”

It was a lie. He knew it. He moved closer. Leila’s breath hitched in her throat.

“Okay. Well, I’ll be letting Aunt Bess know that your bathroom needs to be dried.
You’ll be right as rain by tonight.”

Leila nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

“Are you sure that you don’t need anything else, love?”

Liam’s voice was pure temptation. Leila couldn’t help but respond. She backed up further into the wall in a desperate attempt to put distance between her and Liam.

“You don’t even know my name,” she whispered, all pretense gone.

“You’re right about that, love. That doesn’t seem to matter. Still, I am curious. What is your name?”

“Leila.”

Almost before the word left Leila’s lips, they were captured by Liam’s.

Instead of being hard and demanding, Liam’s lips were soft and firm. They sought to gently coax a response of Leila’s trembling lips. Tenderly, he used the tip of his tongue to trace the shape of her lips. He lapped softy at their seam. Leila let out a small, breathy sigh. Liam took full advantage and slipped his tongue into the dark, humid opening. He tasted sweet yet salty. Familiar yet exotic. Liam took his time with the kiss. His tongue hunted hers. He engaged it in a playful dual, sliding sensually between her mouth and his. It was the sweetest kiss she’d ever experienced.

Leila could feel herself slowly melting into him. Liam tightened his arms around her, bringing their fronts into tight contact. The motion caused Leila to shiver. Her nipples tightened into diamond-hard points. She arched gently into him, seeking more contact. She silently willed him to touch her. He didn’t. He kept his hands on her back, holding her securely.

Leila could feel the prick of tears in her eyes. It had been so long since anyone had held her. Even longer since she could remember feeling so safe.
Liam tasted the salt of her tears and pulled away. “What is it, love?” he asked as he brought his hands up to cup her face. He gently wiped away the tears from her cheeks.

Leila shook her head, too upset to speak. She kept her eyes closed she turned her
face into his touch.

“It’s okay. You’re not ready yet.”

Leila nodded, acknowledging the truth of his words. As much as her body was willing, more than willing, there was still something that held her back. She appreciated Liam’s patience even as she cursed it. Part of her wished that he would push a little harder, somehow take the choice away from her. The other half of her know that he was a good man, too good to coerce a fragile woman.

“Thank you for understanding.” Leila sighed as she moved out of his arms. She went to stand in front of the window. She looked out at the throngs of people that lined the street.

Liam stayed where he was and watched her. She had complication written all over her, this beautiful American. Normally that alone was enough to make him run away. But something about her vulnerability called out to him. He wanted nothing more than to go to her, to take her in his arms and assure her that everything would be alright.

“I’m not normally a tease, you know.” She said wearily.

“Oh, are you a bit of a tramp, then?” he teased, eliciting the smile that he hoped for.

“Not that, either, smart ass.”

“Well, that’s good then. I can’t have you sullying my practically angelic existence with you base and debauched ways.”

Leila let out a small laugh before once again sighing. “I feel like I’m on a roller coaster. I can’t seem to find my footing. One minute I’m up and the next I’m walking on glass.”

“It’s to be expected, love. Losing your mother can’t be an easy thing. Give it some time.”

“That’s what everyone says. Me, I say I’m losing my mind. I still feel her, you know?”

Liam looked confused. “Beg pardon?”

“My mom. I still feel her in the room with me. Like she’s haunting me. Sometimes I hear her voice or smell her perfume.”

“That, too, is only to be expected.”

“It’s crazy is what it is.”

“Crazy? Not a’tall. Now, let me tell you about my great-aunt Brigid. A nastier woman you’d never want to meet. Made her husband Seamus’ life miserable. Over fifty years they were married before she was kicked in the head by a goat.” Liam heard Leila’s muffled laughter and was encouraged. “A happier man never did you see at a wake. Freedom was what he was thinking. At least until he went to bed that night and Brigid appeared. She nagged him about the wake. She complained about the food and the lack of sufficient mourners. Day and night she nagged at poor Uncle Seamus until one day he took to wearing earmuffs and singing bardies at the top of his lungs. Every time you saw old Seamus, he was singing, his voice never went hoarse by the grace of God. Now, did we put him away? Of course not. Everyone know that Brigid was too bad to get into heaven and too mean to get into hell.”
This time her laugh was genuine. “That’s what I love about you Irish. You have a high toleration for the eccentric.”

“Of course, lass. You’re in the land of fairies and leprechauns. Pah! What’s a ghost? A trifle really.”

“Thank you.” She whispered.

“Any time lass. I’d best be off, now. I’ll send someone up to clean the mess. Soon, you’ll be right as rain.” Liam gathered his tools and headed out the door.
It closed behind him with a soft snick.

Leila watched him go with a heavy heart. She wanted to call him back. Her body ached with the need to finish what they’d started. But she knew that she’d just be using him to help her to forget and once those brief moments of satisfaction passed, she’s be awash in guilt. It was fair to either one of them. Leila plopped down on the bed.

It was too bad, really. She had a feeling that it would’ve been better than good.

Damn!