“Everything about you inspires me, Viv,” he murmurs, kissing the tip of my nose as we dance to the music. “You have such a good heart. Helping others makes you happy, and that’s how I know you’re inherently good.”
Fiona was delighted with the dresses, and Shane was profuse in his praise during his speech. “Seeing little Chloe looking so angelic in her dress has been one of the highlights of this day,” I say.
He kisses me softly. “There. That’s what I’m talking about.” He looks deep into my eyes with so much emotion I’m choking up. They say weddings make you emotional, and this one most definitely has. I can’t help being affected by the outpouring of love in the room, and I know we’re not the only ones feeling it. “You’re an angel, and I’m so happy to have met you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, blushing a little.
A new song starts up, one I don’t know. Dillon smiles down at me, emotion practically oozing from his pores, and I’m not sure my heart is going to withstand this day intact.
“Dance with me under the stars?” he asks, and my knees almost go out from under me. I nod as if in a trance, high on so many glittering emotions. As if I could ever turn such a request down.
Lacing his fingers in mine, he leads me out a side door to a small courtyard. Cath and Eugene watch us leave with matching giant smiles, and I get the sense they’re hoping Dillon and I will give them a day like this in the future. Butterflies swoop into my belly, and a fluttering sensation spreads across my chest at the thought.
Dillon sweeps me into his arms in front of the impressive gardens, holding me close, as we move in time to the beat. He purposely left the glass doors open so the music filters outside.
“What song is this?” I ask, listening intently to the beautiful lyrics.
“It’s an older song by a group called Savage Garden. The song is “I Knew I Loved You.” It’s always been a favorite of mine.” He tilts his head back a little so he can look at me. “Especially now,” he adds, in a whisper.
I stare into his gorgeous green eyes as he sings to me, and my heart pounds louder and louder in my chest, swelling with so much emotion it almost feels like I’m drowning. Tears prick my eyes as the words sink deep, their meaning registering on so many levels. Dillon pours everything he’s feeling into his singing, swirling me softly around the courtyard under the backdrop of the twinkling stars, never taking his eyes off me.
Drops of rain fall from the sky without warning, but I barely feel them, hypnotized by this amazing, beautiful, complex man spinning me in his arms. Singing his truths because he can’t form the words behind the sentiments.
The rain comes down heavier, plummeting in thick sheets as we continue dancing, plastering our hair to our faces and our clothes to our bodies like second skins. Another song starts, and Dillon twirls me around faster and faster, and I laugh, tipping my head up to the dark sky, letting the water cleanse me of all my fears and uncertainties.
When he pulls me in close, locking me in his protective arms, his laughter dies along with mine as our gazes connect with an intensity so powerful it seems bigger than both of us. His chest heaves in sync with mine as we stop dancing, staring at one another because there is nothing that can drag either one of us away from the other. I want to stay like this forever. Secure in his gaze. Trapped in his adoration. Surrounded with emotion that threatens to unravel everything I thought I knew about myself.
My heart is open, and I’m shielding nothing. From him. From myself.
I knew this was the risk.
But I barreled headfirst into this relationship anyway, and I’m not sorry I did.
How could I have any regrets when it’s brought us here, to this place, to this realization?
I know neither one of us is going to put words to the emotion.
Yet we both know it exists.
Our truths are traded when we move as one, our lips meeting as if for the first time, and I know, for the rest of my life, I will never ever forget this moment.
The moment I realize I am utterly and unequivocally in love with Dillon O’Donoghue.
55
The weeks fly by in a mad flurry of activity. Toxic God’s EP is getting more notice, and one of their songs is getting decent airplay on some Irish radio stations. Things are definitely picking up for the band. They are playing three to four events a week now, and the crowd is getting bigger and their following is growing.
One of Glen Hansard’s US contacts has reached out—an A&R scout who works for a major record label—and it sounds promising. Apparently, he loves the stuff he has listened to. He’s due to arrive in Dublin in three weeks to see them perform live, and he wants to talk to them about their future. The guys are freaking out. Giddy with excitement. But I sense reticence within Dillon. Of course, when I ask, he deflects my questions, and eventually, I let it drop.
In between events, Dillon and I wander the Irish countryside on his motorcycle. I’ve kissed the Blarney Stone, explored the incredible Titanic museum in Belfast with my jaw trailing the floor, marveled at the Stone Age tombs and passageways at Newgrange, and given in to my inner sex goddess when I let Dillon fuck me against the cross on the top of Bray Head under the shadow of night.
It’s just as well I’m not religious or I might have been struck down for that last one.
We’ve gone camping with our friends in the Wicklow Mountains, ridden bicycles around the Sally Gap, hiked the Sugarloaf Mountain, watched a few GAA matches, and attended a three-day music festival in Marlay Park, which was basically a three-day-long drink-and-weed-athon.
The highlight of my Ireland trip was definitely the Cliffs of Moher. Words don’t exist in our vocabulary to describe the rugged beauty of the landscape because it was a truly magical, breathtaking, out-of-this-world experience. We spent a full day there, touring the visitor’s center, walking the pathways on either side of the cliff, and I was even brave enough to lie down flat on my belly on the slab front, beside Dillon, while we stared over the ledge. Most visitors stayed back, and we were among the few crazies peering down the steep edge of the cliff side. It was an incredible rush, and an impressive lesson in the true wonder of Mother Nature. It was only later, back in our hotel room, I discovered some tourists have actually died there. It was a sobering moment, and I doubt I’d have been so brave if I’d known that at the time.
My parents’ visit rolled around fast, and we had a fantastic week together exploring Cork and Kerry and driving along the Wild Atlantic Way. Audrey traveled with my parents, and it was amazing to see her. I have really missed her. Initially, she was planning on spending more time in Ireland with me, but I’m on borrowed time with Dillon, and now she’s back together with Alex, we came to a mutual understanding it was best if we spent this summer apart. We still got to spend quality time together during the week, which was amazing, if a little strained.
Ash came to Cork and Kerry with us, and things were a teeny bit awkward between her and Audrey. Ash is naturally Team Dillon, and while Audrey has nothing against her brother, she is clearly rooting for Team Reeve. I really don’t understand why. She’s been pretty tight-lipped, and all she has said is he’s missing me, working hard to make amends, and she has her reasons for suggesting I don’t rule him out. Part of me is incredibly upset with her, even though she insists she is firmly on my side. Not wanting to fight with her over it, I suggested we agree to shelve all talk of men on our trip, and just enjoy ourselves.