Page 36 of An Irish Hope

“Well, maybe not in so many words, but at Colin’s wedding you mentioned seeing Andrew, and I put two and two together. It wasn’t hard, especially when you insisted on having him join us for lunch that Sunday.”

Aisling winced. “I was way too obvious, wasn’t I?”

“That’s okay. I think he probably appreciated the attention. And being nice to the man is probably better than trying to suppress your feelings or drown them out with the opposite emotions like I did with Aidan.” Rory grimaced. “I’m amazed he persisted with me after all that.”

“Aidan is a good man.”

“That he is.” Rory studied her. “And I think Andy is too.”

She hoped so. It looked like he was. But still…“How can you ever truly know?”

Rory’s face brightened. “Well, we could always do what we did with Aidan. And Kara, if you remember.”

“You mean research?”

Rory nodded. “Research. The internet is a fascinating place, filled with things you never knew you needed to know until you do. Now, move over, let me sit down, too.”

She did, and her sister drew out her phone as she sat next to her.

“Oh! Do you mind if I ask Aidan to come up as well? He’s probably missing me by now.”

“Sure. Is Mam on the front desk?”

“Yes. She’s okay.”

The next half hour was spent looking up whatever the three of them could find out about one Andrew Scott—“just like the actor!”

“Yeah, not quite like the actor,” Rory said. “This one is straight.”

“And this one is an athlete.” Aidan pointed at Rory’s laptop. “Look.”

She read the screen Rory shoved in front of her. Saw that yes, when Andy had said he was a runner he hadn’t been lying. That— “He was going to go to the Olympics?”

“Until an injury put paid to that.” Rory read aloud an article that explained what had happened. That Andy had snapped a couple of tendons just prior to the Olympic trials a few years ago. That subsequent surgeries had never really been able to correct the underlying issues, forcing him from competition and into retirement.

“Poor guy.” This explained so much.

“Oh, and there’s this one.” Rory began to read another article that detailed his engagement but Aisling stopped her.

“I don’t want to know more. That feels a little too much like an invasion of privacy.”

Besides, she didn’t want to see what degree of attractiveness was possessed by the woman he’d once loved. She could bet both feet that his ex looked like a model, and had likely never once over-indulged in chocolate.

“Okay, well if you don’t want to see that one, here’s one of his family.” Aidan passed another article and picture.

She laughed. The picture must’ve been taken when he was a boy, and looking very cute, still with those freckles.

“He’s so adorable,” Rory said.

“Who’s adorable?” Aidan raised an eyebrow.

“You’re adorable, obviously.” Rory kissed his cheek. “Oh, I do love that you’re so secure.”

“Are you saying you’d find me more attractive if I had freckles?”

“You’re attractive enough just as you are, oh so-secure fiancé of mine.”

As they started kissing, Aisling coughed loudly. “Don’t mind me. It’s only me here. Sitting here in my room recuperating. Don’t make me feel ill again.”