Free Shamrocks and Secrets by Cayce Poponea Page A

interjected.
    "Oh, I agree, Allyson, she's perfect." Nora took a sip from her tea cup and then addressed me again.
    "You're exactly what Patrick needs. He's always gotten everything handed to him, ever since he was in short pants. For the first time in his life I believe, he has to work at getting what he wants. Now, my question to you is ... are you ready for tropical storm Patrick?"
    "I'm sorry, but I don't follow you, what storm?"
    All three ladies began looking at each other and laughing. Paige spoke first.
    "How many gifts have you gotten today?"
    "Three."
    "Only three? He really isn't taking this seriously, is he?"
    Paige had barely spoken the words, when the waiter brought a plate of food and set it down in front of me.
    "I'm sorry, I didn't order this," I said to him.
    "No, Ma'am, Mr. Malloy gave instructions to serve this to you with his compliments."
    I looked at the plate that now sat in front of me. It was a huge, thick-cut steak with the bone resting on one side. It looked incredible and smelled heavenly. I wanted nothing more than to dive into that steak.
    "Sir, could you remove this and then bring me a Caesar salad, please?"
    He looked at me bewildered and then took the plate away. "My pleasure, Madam."
    "You do realize you just sent back the house steak that's dry aged three months and costs over two hundred dollars?" Nora questioned me.
    "I didn't want steak for lunch, I wanted a salad. He can't make me eat something I don't want."
    "Oh, my sweet lass, you're more perfect than I thought. I would however, like to have tea with you this week. I have some things I would like to discuss with you."
    I wanted to simply tell Nora that she might as well tell me what she needed to here and now, something told me that not only was this family strong, but there were no secrets to be found inside the inner circle.
    My suspicions were correct when I did finally make it to the pharmacy; my purchases had already been paid for, including Shannon's birth control . I made the two-block walk back to the office to find the black sedan was parked across the street. This time I felt bold and waved to the driver.
    Once inside, I tossed the bag into a chair and proceeded to finish my work. It had been nearly two hours since I'd had any deliveries and I began to think he had finally given up. I was certain Nora or one of the girls had phoned him and told him I had sent back his food, and even worse, that I had paid for my own lunch and gave the waiter a tip.
    I still hadn't opened the first gift he had given me this morning and honestly, I didn't feel as if I should. I was going to return them to him. It was only fair that if I didn't plan to have a relationship with him that they should go to someone who would.
    Charlotte came bouncing in and sat on the corner of my desk. "You have very large balls, my love."
    "What?"
    "Returning a gift from Patrick Malloy; that, my dear, is ballsy."
    I closed my eyes and tossed my head back into the headrest. I was so tired of this.
    "Charlotte, I'm returning everything. It isn't right to keep any of it."
    Charlotte then handed me a robin's egg blue box; the box that needed no introduction. "What the hell...when did that show up?"
    "Does it matter? It's from Tiffany's! Why not take it for a test drive?"
    I just rolled my eyes, shaking my head. This was just too much. Next he would be sending me a diamond-studded pistol with a matching leather combination holster and garter belt.
    The box sat on my desk, taunting me, teasing me. I wanted so badly to pull those white ribbons off and tear into that blue box, but I couldn't. I would return both boxes and enough money to cover all the purchases he'd made today. He clearly didn't get me. I wasn't someone who could be bribed with bobbles and shiny objects. I needed to see real tangible proof that he wanted to be with me. Patrick Malloy was obviously not the guy for me.
    Tossing the blue box into my purse, I headed to the one place I knew he would be.