Page 10 of It Had To Be You

“Sorry,” I said, my voice low as I flicked my gaze to where Kylie still stood. “I have very nosy employees who love to gossip.”

At this, understanding dawned and he smiled. “I see.”

“So,” I said, swallowing down the lump of desire that seemed to have gotten wedged in my throat. “What do you think of the place?” I motioned around the club.

Conor turned on his stool, taking it all in before he looked back at me, another smile tugging at his lips. “I think it seems like an impeccably run establishment. Must have a very talented and capable manager.”

At this, I chuckled, “Ah yes, very talented and capable indeed.”

“And pretty. I get the sense that the manager is very pretty, too,” he went on, and I flushed, casting him a speculative glance.

“You’re in a good mood.” What I meant to say was he was in a ‘flirty, touchy-feely, gives excellent neck massages and turns me on an unsettling amount’ type of mood.

“Just happy to be sharing a drink with an old friend,” he answered back and I inhaled sharply at the hot look in his eyes.

“Listen, Conor, maybe I’m getting my signals wrong but—”

“You aren’t,” he interrupted, his elbow gently nudging mine. “I’m flirting with you, Yvonne.”

My pulse quickened as I frowned. “Right, well, maybe you shouldn’t.”

“Oh? You aren’t interested?” There was the faintest hint of challenge in his voice.

I swallowed thickly and noticed his gaze lower to my throat, then my lips, before finally rising to my eyes. “It’s not that—”

“So, youareinterested?”

I made a small noise of frustration. “Can you let me speak?”

He chuckled low. “Of course. Go ahead.”

Another nervous swallow. Good Christ, what was wrong with me? I was flustered and it was all his fault for being so open and charming. So straight forward with his intentions. It would be refreshing if I didn’t have to turn him down right now.

I lifted my wine glass and took a shaky sip before setting it back down again. “Conor, I’m incredibly flattered by your attention, but it really would be selfish of me to start anything with you. I’m not the right…fit for you. You’d only be wasting your time. Time I’m sure would be much better spent finding a more suitable person to date.”

“What makes you think you aren’t suitable?” he asked, holding my gaze, his expression serious. “And please don’t say anything about an age gap because I don’t care about age. We’re both adults. It isn’t an issue.”

“Well, that’s not true,” I countered. “If you want children then it’s certainly an issue. You’re young and successful, have everything going for you. Honestly, Conor, I’d only hold you back.”

“Children? I’m not proposing marriage, Yvonne.”

I stared at him. “Then what are you proposing?”

He shifted closer, his knee touching mine as he lowered his mouth to my ear. “I’m proposing we spend some time together and see where things go. No pressure, just fun.”

I suppressed a tremble at his heated words and tried to compose myself. “Right, but that’s my point. Things wouldn’t be going anywhere. I have five failed past relationships to prove it. I’m terrible at being a girlfriend, Conor. I’m the worst. I work so much I’d never have any time for you. You’d soon realise that and I don’t want to go through the heartache of a breakup when that realisation inevitably comes.”

My voice wavered a little and Conor reached out, placing his hand over mine on top of the bar. “Just because you’ve had relationships that ended doesn’t mean they all will. I’ve been in several relationships myself that didn’t last, but I don’t resign myself to the idea that it will always be the case.”

“Yes, I understand that, but I also know myself incredibly well. I won’t be able to give you what you want.”

“Well, I beg to differ. Also, you have no idea what I want.”

His gruff statement made my chest flutter. I lowered my gaze as I fiddled with the stem of my wine glass. “That’s neither here nor there. I can’t start anything with you, Conor. I’m sorry.” When I lifted my eyes he was staring at me with an inscrutable expression.

“I think about that night sometimes,” he said and I inhaled sharply, not breathing a word as he went on. “My nineteenth birthday. I wonder what would’ve happened if you’d let me kiss you.”

“Conor, you were far too young for me. It would’ve been inappropriate.”

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