“There’s not much to tell. I’ve been on house arrest for the past week.”
“That comes with the territory of being married to a Sullivan.” Ciara sighs, rubbing her belly. “How is everything going with Kieran?”
“It’s…complicated.”
I kick off my shoes and curl my feet up beneath me as Ciara gives me a knowing look.
“Why am I not surprised. Nothing about those boys is ever simple.”
“Tell me about it.”
“I will say, you and Kieran make a very cute couple.”
At my confused expression, she adds, “I saw your wedding video.”
“Oh, god.” I cover my face with my hands.
“I must say, the Elvis impersonator really classed it up.”
“In my defense, that was Kieran’s idea.”
“Either way, you look good together.”
My cheeks burn as I think back to that night.
“It’s not real.” I fiddle with a loose thread on my top.
“Are you sure about that?”
I glance up and see Ciara’s mouth twitching.
I nod. “It’s just a business arrangement, that’s all.”
Ciara snorts. “You mean the kind of business arrangement where you blush when someone mentions his name?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Only to anyone who isn’t a complete idiot. Besides, I’ve been exactly where you are and trust me when I say, you can fight it all you want, but you won’t win.”
When I don’t say anything, her eyes soften.
“Something happened, didn’t it?”
I exhale slowly as my throat thickens with tears.
Admitting that I lost my virginity to Kieran wasn’t something I was planning on sharing with Ciara, considering the fact I’ve just met her, but it seems like something she could help talk me through.
“Yeah.”
And just like that, it all comes spilling out. From the night I slept with Kieran to how I overheard him talking to Ronan afterward.
Ciara listens silently as I ramble on, with no hint of judgment in her eyes. Instead, there is only understanding, the kind that comes from knowing the Sullivan men better than anyone should.
By the time I’ve finished, I’m fighting back tears, and Ciara reaches over to squeeze my hand.
“I’m sorry you’re feeling hurt. But to me, it sounds like you heard one sentence out of an entire conversation.”
“It was all I needed to hear to know how Kieran really feels.” I wipe the corner of my eyes with my sleeve.
