Is It Really the Best
Recap:
Ian asked, “C’mon, it’s gotta be one of the three. What’s the story?”
You replied: “Guinness, obviously,” you say with a cheeky grin. “I hear it’s the best this side of the Atlantic.”
Ian laughs, leaning one arm casually on the bar. “See? This woman knows quality when she sees it.”
Jake arches a brow as he sets a pint down in front of you. “Careful, Ian. If your ego gets any more inflated, you won’t fit behind the bar.”
Ian places a hand over his heart, feigning offense. “Hey, it’s not ego if it’s true. Besides, the Guinness here really is the best. Go ahead, give it a taste.”
You pick up the glass, the frothy head just brushing your lip as you take a sip. The smooth, rich flavor spreads across your tongue, and you nod appreciatively. “Not bad,” you say, drawing out the words, just to see Ian’s reaction.
“Not bad?” Ian echoes, looking genuinely wounded. “Jake, tell her. She needs to hear it from a trusted source.”
Jake snorts, shaking his head as he pours another pint for a customer. “The trusted source is the beer, Ian. It doesn’t need a sales pitch.”
“Or Ian’s commentary,” Michael says from the dartboard, a smirk playing at his lips. His throw lands effortlessly in the bullseye, and he leans casually against the wall. “But sure, Guinness is fine… if you like Guinness.”
Ian rolls his eyes. “Don’t mind him. He’s just jealous because his palate isn’t refined enough to appreciate it.”
“I’m not sure that’s the word for it,” Michael replies dryly, earning a quiet laugh from Sean beside him.
The big guy in the corner - the one with the icy eyes and zero smile, grunts softly.
The easy banter draws you in, the warmth of the pub and the brothers’ playful ribbing settling around you like a well-worn quilt. It’s the kind of atmosphere you didn’t realize you’d been searching for until now.
Ian leans closer, his voice dropping to a stage whisper. “So, was I right? Better than Dublin?”
“Close,” you say, your tone teasing. “But I think I need a few more sips to make an informed decision. I’ll let you know when I reach the bottom of this glass.”
“That’s the spirit,” Ian says. “See? I’m never wrong.”
Sean sighs, his amusement clear despite himself. “Careful, Ian. One of these days, someone’s going to call you on your bullshit.”
Ian grins, unbothered. “I live for the challenge. And hey, maybe it’s not just the Guinness. Maybe she’s heard the other rumor.”
Jake narrows his eyes, his tone wary. “What other rumor?”
Ian turns to you with a wink. “That this is where Pine Ridge’s most eligible bachelors are.”
A groan rises from the corner of the room. “I want it on record that he doesn’t speak for all of us,” Kieran says, raising his hands as if to absolve himself.
Jake rolls his eyes, his voice calm but firm. “I’m probably going to regret saying this, but Ian’s right about one thing,” he tells you. “There’s something special about this place, and it’s not just the Guinness. People come here for a lot of reasons.”
“Some come for the Guinness,” Shane says quietly from his corner, “and end up finding more than they expected.”
The weight of his words lingers for a moment, wrapping around the playful conversation like a ribbon of something deeper.
Ian claps his hands together, breaking the moment. “All right,” he says, his grin back in full force. “So, what’s next? Darts? Pool? Or are we plying the lass with another round and sticking with the ‘Guinness is better than Dublin’ debate?”