“Want me to distract you?” I pull my hand away and push both plates of pastries toward her. “Or do you want to eat your feelings?”
“Both.” Lucy takes a huge bite of the almond croissant.
“Okay, well, I might have some news…”
“Oh?” Lucy’s eyes brighten instantly as she takes another bite.
I hesitate, suddenly feeling shy as I stir my drink with the paper straw.
“Kieran and I are… Well, I’m not exactly surewhatwe are, but we’re something.”
Lucy breaks into a huge grin as she claps her hands together. “Riley! That’s amazing.”
“You think?”
“Of course!”
I laugh. “That’s not the response I thought I’d get. I was expecting a lecture.”
“Well, I think I might have been wrong about Kieran. He seems to be stepping up. Besides, it’s clear you’ve liked him for a while, so I’m happy that you’re happy.”
“I didn’t think it was that obvious,” I mumble, and Lucy laughs.
“Girl, you’re an open book. But…”
“But what?”
“I mean, does this not complicate things a little?”
“How so?”
Lucy brushes a few flakes of pastry off the table as she avoids my gaze.
“Lucy?”
“Your relationship with Kieran started out as a deal. One where he offered you protection in exchange for dirt on Sean. Dirt which I’m pretty sure you’re still hoarding away?”
“I know. It’s been weighing on my mind ever since Kieran and I started getting closer.”
“So, what’s stopping you from handing it over?”
I shrug, unsure how to put my fears into words. “Maybe I’m not ready to find out what happens after I give it to him. What if I hand it over and then Kieran tosses me aside?”
Lucy's lips curve into a knowing smile. “Or maybe Kieran’s the one who’s not ready to find out what happens after.”
That catches me off guard. “You think so?”
Lucy shrugs. “He could have asked for the evidence by now, but he hasn’t, so there must be a reason.”
I can’t tell if that makes me feel better or worse. “I guess…”
“But if you’re worried about it, just ask him, Riley. I’m sure he’ll give you an honest answer.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I mumble.
At the two-hour mark, Lucy and I promptly leave the café after gouging ourselves on caffeine and sugar and settle back into the safety of the SUV.
Even though Kieran has a tracker on my phone, I still send him a message to let him know I’m on my way home.
