Hughie groaned, burying his face in his hands as he sat with Johnny. “Fuck, I know exactly what Gibsie feels toward Claire now,” he muttered, sneaking another glance at you from across the room. “I’ve got it bad, mate.”

“For who?” Johnny asked, confused, before following Hughie’s gaze. When he spotted you—Patrick Feely’s younger sister—his expression turned to a grimace. “Ah, fuck, mate.”

“I know,” Hughie sighed heavily, his usual confidence wavering. But then his heart skipped as he noticed you walking toward them. “Oh shit, she’s coming over.”

“Hi boys,” you greeted cheerfully, stopping in front of them with a friendly smile. “Can I bother you for a minute?”

Hughie blinked, struggling to keep his cool as his stomach flipped. “Yeah,” he said, trying to sound smooth but failing just slightly. “We can make time for you.”