Eventually, Kieran looked over. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"I feel like I told you my entire life story. Now it’s your turn.”
I leaned back slightly. "My parents are probably wondering whether I've remembered to eat."
That made him smile. "You're twenty-nine."
"They remain unconvinced that I can take care of myself."
Kieran smiled. Then his expression turned more thoughtful. "Can I ask you something?"
"You can ask."
His fingers traced the edge of a cookie. "I spent two days accidentally becoming an expert on Thane Hale."
I groaned. "My condolences."
"I'm serious."
"I know. That's what worries me."
That earned a laugh that faded. "There wasn't anybody."
"What?"
"In everything I read. Every article. Every interview. Every photo. There wasn't anybody."
"Oh."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. "You mean a relationship."
He nodded. "Yeah."
I looked down at my coffee. "There were women."
His expression didn't change. I appreciated that.
"And men?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
"Was there ever anyone serious?"
I thought about it before answering. "There were people I liked." That much was true. "But nobody I could imagine building a life with."
Kieran watched me steadily. "Because you were hiding?"
"Partly."
I scrubbed a hand over my face.
"It's hard to build something real with someone when you're only letting them see part of you."
"And the other part?"
I thought about it. "I never wanted forever with them."
