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“Honestly? It was just a bit too much for me.” Although this is the first time I’ve heard about the service, I can’t imagine anything worse. “It was already all over the news. I’m not sure I could have coped around all those people.”
Bella rests her head affectionately on my shoulder. “It was a lovely service, but you’re right. There were like hundreds of people out there.”
“I just hope he knew how loved he was,” I say quietly.
Bella squeezes me just as Arnie squeezes my hand. For the first time in a long time, I feel entirely loved, too. It’s enough for a tear to fall down my cheek.
“Hey,” Felicity says, striding over to wipe it away. “None of that. Tonight is about celebrating your engagement!”
“Oh!” Bella exclaims as she pulls away. “I still have that prosecco from closing night.”
The old me would have matched Felicity’s excited cheers with my own. But instead, I say. “Actually, do you mind if I have water?”
Felicity gasps. “Oh my God, you are pregnant.”
“No, I—”
“Did hell freeze over, or did Roisin Maguire just reject a drink?” Bella adds, her own shock evident in her wide eyes.
“It’s nothing like that,” I cut over them. “And I am not pregnant. I’m just trying to slow down my drinking a bit.”
There’s a slightly awkward pause before Arnie cuts in. “I’ll have water too, please.”
I throw him a grateful smile, and there’s something unmistakably warm in his eyes as he looks back at me.
“Okay.” Felicity nods her head in respect. “Two waters it is.”
“We’re still having prosecco, though, right?” Bella asks, suddenly looking nervous as she glances at me.
“Go ahead.” I smile reassuringly, and she hurries into her room.
While both roommates are temporarily distracted, I turn to my fiance a little awkwardly. “You sure you don’t want to run away?”
“Your friends care for you very much,” he replies without missing a beat. “Why would I judge you poorly for that?”
I shrug, suddenly hit with the very real realization that Arnie Knight, the notorious assassin, is sitting in my apartment. These two worlds are colliding in a very chaotic manner without much warning and making my head spin.
His hand suddenly reaches to cup my cheek. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”
I plant a kiss on his palm just as the others reenter the room laden with glasses and bottles. Felicity makes short work of the prosecco bottle, and the four of us clink our glasses together over our poor excuse for a dining table.
“To our darling Roisin and her fiance,” Felicity announces. “May your wedding be as outrageous as your engagement.”
I can’t help but laugh as the others parrot her sentiment and take a sip.
“To the expensive bridesmaids’ dresses Arnie will buy for us!” Bella raises her glass again.
This time, it’s Arnie who lets out a choked laugh. I sip my water to hide the soppy look I know is written all over my face.
“To my bestest friends who aren’t going to take advantage of our relationship for goods and services.” I level both Felicity and Bella with a strong stare.
They both boo and refuse to clink glasses with Arnie and me.
“To my gorgeous fiance,” Arnie says quietly, only to me. “For sharing this part of her life with me.”
There’s a longing in his dark eyes that I can’t look away from. It’s as if he’s hypnotized me with his sultry words, and I can feel a desire building in my chest that I can’t quite name.
Felicity coughs loudly. “All right, lovebirds, get a room.”
