Page 50 of An Irish Hope

He did, but—wait. Did this mean she didn’t know where he lived? “I, um, know this is hard, but it’s probably best that we don’t do that again.”

“What? Why?”

There was a plaintive note in her voice that struck his heart. But he knew it was important to be clear, to have safe boundaries. Because stirring up emotions that were better left unstirred wasn’t wise. And he had vowed to God to be wise. And he really didn’t want to hurt her. Even when the shattered look in her eyes suggested it was already too late.

“I think we should go back.”

“You don’t want me?” she whispered.

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?” She touched her swollen lips. “Did I kiss badly, is that it?”

“No, it was perfect,” he rushed to reassure. “You are perfect. It’s just that I can’t afford to get involved in another relationship right now. I promised God I wouldn’t.”

“Then… then why did you kiss me?”

“I don’t know,” he murmured. “It was the heat of the moment, I suppose. Everyone was calling for it. I’m sorry.”

She blinked, then looked down, shaking her head.

“What is it?”

“I’d like you to take me home, please.”

So he did.

CHAPTER TWELVE

He didn’t want her.

His words echoed through her heart’s loneliness. It was the heat of the moment. Everyone was calling for it. I’m sorry.

In other words: she’d tried, she’d done her best, but the man didn’t want her.

And while part of her respected the fact he’d made a promise to God to not get involved with a woman, another part of her hated that she’d been the collateral damage.

She’d barely slept last night, reliving that kiss. It was perfect, just as he’d said.

Then she kept reliving his rejection. That look in his eyes that said he really didn’t care.

Oh, she didn’t know how she could go on pretending that everything was okay. What would she say when he checked out today?

She must’ve somehow got some sleep, because it was just past eight by the time her eyelids opened and she realised she had to get up. Rory was no doubt still teary; she’d gotten back late last night and it had been hard enough to hold back her own disappointment as she tried to comfort her sister. But at least Rory knew that she and Aidan had a future. Aisling didn’t even know if she would see Andy again. Even if she did see him, he’d made it clear he didn’t want a relationship. So how did any of that tie in with the Fairall legacy? It must’ve been her stupid hormones getting carried away at the wedding and nothing else.

“You’re such an idiot.”

How could she have thought this was a good idea? Friends who kissed could never go back to how they were. It was like some unwritten code. But still, God could redeem any situation, couldn’t He? Maybe He could even redeem this.

Her heart flickered. Maybe there was a way to talk sense to Andy before he checked out from the hotel.

She got changed then hurried downstairs and found Mam at the registration desk. “Mam?”

“Oh, hello love.”

“Has… has anyone checked out yet today?”

“If you’re asking about Andy then I’m afraid he’s already gone.”