AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, yes. What’s his deal?”
“Who knows? He started working for the family when he left school. He ran errands, stuff like that. Then one day he just decided that Jacob needed his protection, and he’s stuck to him like glue ever since. It drove my pa crazy, but Manus wouldn’t budge. We’ve all got used to him now.”
“So he’s a bodyguard?”
Rory nods and shrugs at the same time as if he’s not sure that’s how he would actually categorize the man.
“And he made those delicious eggs?”
“He did.”
“Where did he learn to cook like that?”
“From Marian. He has a bit of a thing for her, but he’s too shy to ask her out. It’s the family’s worst kept secret. He asked her to give him cooking lessons so he could spend time with her.”
“And she hasn’t realized he likes her?”
“If she has, she’s not let on.”
There’s something very rom com about the situation. It makes me smile. The conversation dies away, but the silence is not uncomfortable. We both eat our dinner and sip our wine, exchanging the occasional glance.
It gives me a chance to think about things. Being pushed into marriage isn’t what I wanted, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be the end of the world. My life may be able to continue as normal. I decide to test the waters.
“I need to let Andrew know I messed up at the club.”
Rory glances up at me. “He knows.”
“No, I mean with the countertops for the kitchen. They’re the wrong size.”
“Is that why you were there so late last night?”
Fuck! Was that only last night? It feels like a lifetime ago.
“Yes. I was trying to work out what went wrong.”
Rory puts his fork down. “Your work means a lot to you?”
“Well, yes, but I also don’t want to let Andrew down. I don’t want to get on his bad side.”
“Andrew’s not going to hold it against you if you make a mistake, or if there are delays. He’s a gruff bastard at times, but he’s a businessman. He understands shit happens.” Rory drinks some wine and peers at me over the rim of the glass. “Did you think he’d put a hit out on you if you messed up?”
I shrug, because I did sort of think something like that would happen. Rory throws back his head and laughs.
“Oh, sweetheart, it’ll be fine. You can sort it out on Thursday when we go back to the city.”
“So I can carry on working?”
“Yeah, I’m not some caveman who refuses to let his wife out of the house. You’ll have to take a couple of my men with you for safety, but you’re free to work or shop, or see your friends, whatever you want.”
Why does his reasonable attitude disappoint me? My face falls into a frown.
“What?” Rory says. “Did you think you were a prisoner?”
“No,” I lie.
A grin spreads across his face. “Did you want to be a prisoner?”
Even as I shake my head in denial, I realize that there is some part of me that was intrigued by the possibility of being held captive.
