Page 74 of Tender Temptation

“Let me be the voice of reason.” Da crosses his arms as he often does when he’s about to make some proclamation. “If you and Ivy have worked out your past, it’s between you. It doesn’t matter what your parents think and you certainly don’t need any blessings. Your ma and I had you at nineteen and decided to move here from Belfast. Our parents did not support us but we did it anyway. There was tension for a long time but eventually, it all worked out because we were committed to each other and built our own family.”

My mom’s expression softens. “Aye, ’tis true.”

“What I’m trying to say,” Da continues, “is, if you’re serious about each other, make these decisions as a couple. Right or wrong, Don’t shy away from the hard conversations.”

“If Stan objects to our relationship, it could cost the company the Bright business.” I glance down at the table and back at my father.

Da presses his hands to the table and stands. “You need to decide what’s important to you and what you’re willing torisk. McGloughlin Construction is your legacy now, son. I’ll stand behind whatever decision you make.”

No wiser, but with plenty of input to consider, I help with the dishes, bid cheerio, and head to my townhouse.

Once I’m home, exhaustion overtakes me and I fall asleep. I wake up a few hours later to find I’ve missed a few texts from Ivy.

2:23 pm Ivy:Dad was tired so my parents went home. Meet us for dinner?

3:44 pm Ivy:I didn’t hear from you we’re at Pike Place Market

4:06 pm Ivy:Are you okay?

4:15 pm Me:Hey beautiful I was asleep. Someone kept me up all night ;)

4:17 pm Ivy:LOL. Dinner rezzies at 6 at Matt’s in theMarket. Join us?

4:18 pm Me:No, you should enjoy your last night with your friends. Sleepover?

4:21pm Ivy:Yes! meet me at the hotel later.

4:23 pm Me:I’ll be there by 8

As excited as I am to spend the night with Ivy, the reality of our situation crashes down on me with a jolt. Tonight we have a hotel room, but tomorrow is a different story.

She still lives at home. If we have any hope of being a real couple, we need to tell her parents about us. Right away.

By tomorrow, she and I have to decide how we’re going to navigate the complexities of our situation.

Because, I’m not wasting another minute without her by my side.

thirty-three

Ivy

Later That Day

It’s been an incrediblyfun day with my friends.

Pierlo, Matteo, Lucia and I spent all afternoon exploring the city. As disappointed as I was when Cillian didn’t join us, it gave the three of us time to catch up.

My friends realized the guy at the party was the same man in my paintings and it turned into a whole thing. They demanded I bring him down to meet them. We’re supposed to have a nightcap in the lobby bar an hour from now, but Iconvinced them to meet us in the lobby lounge. I want to respect Cillian’s boundaries with alcohol.

The way I see it, the faster we integrate our worlds, the better.

By the time we return from dinner to the Edgewater, the sun is setting over the Olympics. I know he’s waiting for me and I cannot wait to jump him. We have an hour before we need to be downstairs, plenty of time to take the edge off.

As I enter the suite, I see he’s lit the candles again, which flicker gently. There’s a bouquet of fresh roses on the table. Cillian stands by the window, looking out at the Olympic Mountains, his silhouette framed by the fading light.

He turns to face me as I close the door and his eyes light up with so much warmth it makes my heart race. “Mo shíorghrá.”

“Hey.” I move toward him. He meets me halfway, pulling me into his arms. The feel of his body against mine, the woodsy scent of his skin—intoxicating.

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