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“So, tell me,” I tease. “This extravagant bid of yours, is that your best attempt to win my heart? Through financial means? Did you not realize that money can’t buy my love?”
He shrugs, a lopsided grin on his face. “Hey, when it comes ta matters of th’ heart, sometimes ye have to pull out all th’ stops. Besides, I’m not just here fer the dance. I’m here fer the chance to get to know ye better. Last night… well, let’s just say that aside from finding you breathtakingly beautiful, I must confess yer mind and spirit have captivated me. I like ye, Mia. More than I would like to admit.”
His sincerity catches me off guard. I expected the evening to be filled with his charming wit and plenty of flirtatious banter, but Cilian seems genuinely interested in me. The realization tugs at my heart, and for a moment, I almost forget about the two other men who have occupied my thoughts all day—Luke and Zach.
The music reaches its crescendo, and Cilian dips me low. As he pulls me back up, I can’t help but feel a sense of exhilaration. The ballroom fades away, and for that moment, it’s just Cilian and me, swept up in the magic of the dance.
“So, where did ye slip off to last night when ye abandoned me out on the balcony, leavin’ me to fend for meself against the bitter cold?” he teases, his eyes glinting playfully.
“I—” I laugh, suddenly realizing the man who inspired me so completely has no clue what I was up to. “I was baking,” I confess. “Our talk made me realize that Icouldmake a business out of what I love to do. And I had an idea for how I’m going to show Daddy. But since I’d hoped he might be here today, I thought I had no time to lose.”
“That’s brilliant,” he says, his smile softening as his expression fills with pride.
“Thank you. For being so… understanding. I feel like last night, hearing what you went through to find your path in life, it made me realize what’s important to me. I don’t know that I ever would have stumbled upon it without your help.”
“Of course ye would have. But if it earns me brownie points, I’ll take it. I could use all the help I can get.”
I laugh. “You make it sound like you’re worried you’re about to lose some big race,” I tease, nervously wetting my suddenly dry lips.
“Aren’t I?” he murmurs, his look concerned and penetrating.
My heart skips a beat, and I can’t help but think about the child I have yet to tell him about.Did he find out a different way?No, he couldn’t have. If he knew, he would either want to talk about it or be running the other way.
I don’t know why it makes me so nervous to tell Cilian. I think it’s because out of the three of them, I’m least confident that he will be happy when he knows. And despite how hard I’m falling for Luke and Zach, part of me still hopes I might end up with Cilian. Telling him I’m pregnant might destroy that chance. Still, it’s only fair that he should know.
But I can’t do it here, now, on the dance floor. So instead, I deflect his question, turning it back on him in the hopes that he’ll let it go. “What do you mean?” I ask innocently, giving him a breathless smile.
His eyes dart to the side of the room, finding the corner where Luke and Zach stand together. My stomach drops as I find them both watching us, their eyes intent. They do not look happy.
“Ye have two other admirers who have been trying very hard to earn yer favor, I think. Meanwhile, like an absolute fool, I’ve been tryin’ ta play it cool. Have I waited too long, Mia? Have I lost me chance to earn yer heart?”
The question disarms me completely, and as my head whips to face Cilian once more, I stumble, my toe snagging on the floor. But he’s right there to catch me, smoothing over the clumsy moment with such finesse I doubt anyone would have noticed, and my heart flutters at the devastating remorse on his face.
“No,” I insist, once again torn by who I want to end up with. In truth, I’m falling for all of them. I feel like they could all be wonderful, important men in my life. As long as Cilian wants to be part of my child’s.
His face lights up at my word of encouragement, and I can feel in the way he moves me that I’ve restored his hope. He smiles down at me, his sandy-blond hair and freckles giving his handsome face an almost boyish charm, and though I know he’s not much younger than the other two men who have stolen my heart, I feel that Cilian and I have kindred spirits—full of reckless abandon, forever young.
If I’m serious about my feelings for him, then I need to buck up my courage and tell him I’m pregnant.
As the final notes of our ninth song linger in the air, Cilian releases me with a flourish. He bows theatrically, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Thank you for the dances, Mia. It was truly a pleasure.”
The other dancers pause with us to applaud the band, then as the first notes of the next song begin, Cilian leads me off the dance floor, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back.
As we walk in silence, I gather my courage. “Cilian?” I begin, my voice a touch uncertain as we reach the edge of the dance floor.
“Yes, Mia?” he asks, his glance playful as he mimics my tone.
“Can we find somewhere to talk? Alone?”
21
CILIAN
“Of course.” The words pop out of my mouth before she’s even finished asking the question. It’s been challenging to get time alone with Mia, so I jump at the opportunity.
Gesturing toward the door out to the hallway, I let Mia lead the way, keeping my hand on the small of her back as the crowd parts for us. As soon as we’re in the empty hall, I capture her hand, slipping my fingers between hers.
“Let’s go, lass. I have the perfect place where no one will bother us.”
