“I suppose ...”
“She speaks fluent French and can do the NYT crossword in record time.”
“Wow. That’s impressive.”
“It is. So, why won’t you ask her out?”
“Because I’d rather go out with her sister.”
I stand there, genuinely lost for words. This has never happened before. Have men moved onto me when they found out Asha wasn’t interested? Of course. But it’s never been the other way around.
Kieran squints at me. “You can understand me okay, right? Or is the accent throwing you off? You look confused.”
“No, I just –”
“Just, what? I like you. I’m attracted to you. I’d like to go out with you. If you’re not interested, then please tell me now, because I’m starting to feel like I’m fighting a losing battle here.” He stares, waiting for me to reply.
“It’s just that ...”
Explaining my logic to him is difficult. Instead, I just get more lost in his remarkable face every second that passes. I’m not even aware I’ve moved closer, until Joe clears his throat to announce our order is ready.
I blink and step back. I may have only downed a couple of drinks, but my stupidly strong attraction to him makes me feel drunk. I need to be careful if I want to avoid doing something for which my sister will resent me.
I pick up two drinks and let out a breath. “We should get back.”
“Wait.” His warm hand on my arm stops me. “Just tell me this – if your sister wasn’t in the picture, would you go out with me?”
“To be honest ... probably not.”
“Because?”
“I don’t date.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Wait a minute, are you married?”
“No.”
“Engaged?”
“No.”
“Living with someone?”
“Well, yes, but only my sister.”
“And yet, you don’t date?” He leans closer. “Is it a religious thing? Are you saving yourself for Jesus? Because I can grow a decent beard in just a few days if it would help.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Did it occur to you that maybe I just don’t like you?”
He takes a step forward, and I’m almost pressing against him. My head is level with his neck, and I stare at the strong muscles there, so I don’t have to look up into face.
“Eden?”
I swallow. The moment our eyes meet, I know we both feel the jolt. His smile fades, and I stop myself from curling my fingers into the zeppelin picture stretched across his chest.
“Just to be clear, I have no problem being rejected by women. It happens all the time. But if this is how you react when you don’t like someone, I’d be fascinated to see what happens when you do.”
It feels like everything is slowing down as the heat from his body seeps into my muscles. “I don’t deny that you’re attractive.”
“Really? Tell me more.”
“You’re okay to look at.”
“Uh huh.”
“And I guess your accent doesn’t suck.”
“I see.”
Our heads are getting way too close.
“And you’re not really ... boring, or anything.”
“So nice of you to say. Not-really-boring is something I’ve always aspired to be.”
“But ...”
He holds up his hand. “You don’t have to say the ‘but’. Honestly, buts are overrated. Except mine. It’s fecking glorious.”
I laugh at that, and I barely recognize the sound. I’m so horrified by the shrillness, it loosens the magnetic hold he has on my breathing.
I take in some air and let it out. “Even with your glorious butt, and even if my sister wasn’t practically drooling over you, I don’t have time for dating or relationships. I’m happy to have fun in the bedroom, but that’s all I can manage.”
He gives me a half-smile. “No offense, but I don’t have trouble getting women to sleep with me. That’s not what I want from you.”
“Then what do you want?”
“I don’t know. But it’s sure as hell more than a one-night stand.”
All sorts of warning bells go off in my brain. It doesn’t stop me being drawn to him, but it’s enough to make me realize how dangerous this guy is.
“Right now, one night is all I have time for. You should ask my sister out. She’s just like me, only nicer. You can wine and dine her to your heart’s content.”
“And that’s your final answer?”
“It is.”
He nods and steps back, and it’s obvious that we’re both breathing faster and deeper than we were a few minutes ago.
“Okay, then,” he says, shrugging in defeat. “At least I can say I tried my best.” He leans over the bar, grabs a pen, and proceeds to write on a napkin. “However, if you end up changing your mind at any point while I’m still in your lovely country, feel free to call me, alright?”
He holds out the napkin, and I take it. “Absolutely.”
With that, we both take a few more deep breaths to collect ourselves, before he grabs the other two glasses off the bar and steps aside so I can pass. “After you.”
When we get back to the table, Pat and Asha are deep in discussion about James Joyce. But as soon as Kieran places a drink in front of Asha and sits next to her, she turns all her attention toward him. I sip my drink with mixed emotions.
I make small talk with Pat as Asha and Kieran chat and laugh, and despite my jealousy, seeing Asha so happy makes me smile. I’d do anything to help my sister find the man of her dreams. If that man is Kieran, I’ll do everything I can to stay out of their way.
After finishing my drink in record time, I rub my temple and stand. “Sorry to break up the party, guys, but I’m getting a headache. I’m going to head home.”
“Oh,” Asha says, putting her drink on the table. “Sure. Let’s go. I’ll grab you some Advil.”
As she stands, I hold out my hand to stop her. “No, you stay. I’ll be fine. It’s early, and you guys are having a good time.” I give Pat a smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m sure I’ll see you around.” When I look at Kieran, I don’t miss the disappointment on his face. “Bye, Kieran.”
He pauses then says, “Goodbye, Eden.”
I head out of the bar and down the street, and try not to think about what I’ve just left behind.
FIVE
Booking It
The next morning, I lie in bed and listen as Asha moves around in the kitchen, preparing her breakfast. The fact that she’s humming tells me things with Kieran went well.
I pull my pillow over my eyes and sigh. God, I really don’t want to hear all the lurid details. For once, I regret that my sister and I are comfortable enough to share every intimate detail of our lives. Maybe if I hide in here long enough she’ll head to work, and I’ll be spared for a few hours at least.
That plan takes a major hit when the delicious smell of frying bacon wafts under my door. She’s trying to lure me out, and dammit, it’s working. If I were a cartoon dog I’d be floating on a stream of bacon fumes, right under the door and out into the kitchen.