Page 7 of Killian

“Not well. I’ve met him. Why?”

“I’ll tell you tomorrow, but is he a good guy?”

“As I said, I don’t know him that well, but Beau likes him so that’s saying something.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

“Seriously? That’s it? You’re not going to tell me anything else?” Brenna questioned, sounding slightly annoyed.

“Nope. Tomorrow,” Celine replied before hanging up and chuckling. She knew it would drive Brenna crazy.

The next day at lunchtime, Celine entered the diner and scanned the room for Brenna. She saw her sitting in a booth and waved as she made her way over, sliding onto the bench across from her.

“It’s so hot out,” Celine exclaimed as she sat down.

“Terrible. Days like this make me glad we have a pool at home,” Brenna replied with a smirk.

“Of course, rub it in why don’t you?” Celine laughed.

“Hey, you could always get one of those kiddie pools for your little backyard,” Brenna suggested with a grin.

“Don’t tempt me,” Celine joked back.

“So how do you like living in the townhouse?” Brenna asked, changing the subject.

“I’m still not completely sold on buying it, but Abbie isn’t pressuring me so I’m not going to worry about it too much right now. There’s just one neighbor across the street who seems to notice everything. Mrs. Smith is always peeking out her windows,” Celine replied with a smile. “But I do like it better than the apartment above the coffee shop. I believe I’ll use that for storage.”

“Ugh, nosy neighbors are the worst. That’s a good idea for the apartment. It’s so small anyway,” Brenna sympathized. “Okay, enough about that. Why did you ask about Killian?”

Celine grinned mischievously and told her friend how she had met him. Brenna’s eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a whistle before chuckling.

“Wow, he’s definitely hot. And if you tell Beau I said that, we’re no longer friends,” Brenna joked. “So, was it good?”

Celine sighed contentedly, “God, yes. The man can kiss. I’m pretty sure he knows what to do with women.”

“What’s the harm in trying?” Celine’s friend encouraged her.

Celine sighed, “My heart. I thought Blaine was a good man until we lived together.”

“It’s disappointing that he waited until after you were living together to show his true colors.”

“I know.”

“You were smart to leave. So, are you going to reach out to Killian?”

“I want to, but I’m scared. People can hide their true selves until you get to know them.”

“My husband has great instincts about people. If he didn’t like Killian, I doubt he would have introduced him to me at Eli and Lorna’s wedding. I remember when I first saw him. My jaw dropped open; he is gorgeous.”

“He really is. I wonder why he isn’t married.”

“Maybe he’s divorced or widowed.” Brenna shrugged.

“Hard to say.” Celine agreed. “I’ll think about reaching out to him.”

But she didn’t; she was too afraid. He could be a wonderful man, but after her experience with Blaine, the thought of getting involved with another man terrified her. Yet, she couldn’t get Killian Doyle out of her mind.

A few days later, she stood behind the counter, hoping he would come into the shop, but maybe he figured she wasn’t interested sinceshe hadn’t gotten in touch with him. She hated the idea of him being with another woman. But then she laughed. He already told her he wasn’t seeing anyone. Celine hoped he was telling her the truth because she wasn’t sure how that possibility would make her feel toward Killian. As Carly had said, if he was married or involved, he shouldn’t have let her kiss him, and then entered his number into her phone.

---