Page 71 of Verses Of Us

“Hello,” Alexis replied, her breathing so uneven she doubted she was breathing at all.

Julie, ever the saviour, leaped up and hugged him. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“You as well,” he replied, tapping her back amicably.

His smile was charming, the same kind Alexis used to adore. Only now it filled her with disdain. And, she hated to admit it, also sent heat rushing south.

“Do you think I could bother you for a picture? I never got one back…” Julie stopped, her eyes darting to Alexis, then back to Ciarán. “Um, if you wouldn’t mind?”

“Sure.”

Julie let out a tiny squeal, wrapping an arm around him, snuggling against his chest, holding her phone out. Ciarán’s hand brushed against Alexis’ shoulder and she reflexively jerked away. She needed to pull herself together. She couldn’t be upset over something that had happened so long ago.

A lifetime had gone by since then.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Julie exclaimed, still standing with her arm around Ciarán’s waist. He chuckled and stepped back, pulling out of Julie’s hold. Taking the hint, she returned to her seat, her eyes bouncing from him to Alexis like a tennis match.

“How’ve you been?” Towering over Alexis, his voice remained low, but its deepness rattled her body.

She wanted him to leave as if they were strangers. She didn’t want to meet his sharp blue gaze, but knew she didn’t have much of a choice.

“I’ve been well, thanks,” she offered with a tight smile. She caught Julie’s disapproval, then added, “You?”

“I’ve been alright. Grand bumping into you, I’ll admit. What are you doing in Dublin?”

“I’m visiting Julie.”

“But she’s been too busy sightseeing to spend much time with me.” Julie was glowing. She winked at her friend, but Alexis’s fixed glare didn’t budge.

“You live here?”

Relieved he was asking Julie, Alexis considered offering him her chair so she could leave and not be stuck in such an awkward situation any longer.

“I do. Been here for a few years now. How about you?”

“I live outside the city.” Though he was talking to Julie, Alexis could feel his eyes on her. He cleared his throat. “How long are you in town for?”

This time, he was asking her. “Not long.”

“You know what, I need to use the ladies’ room,” Julie said, standing up. “Ciarán, why don’t you take my seat?”

He did so without pause, sitting across, and Alexis glared at Julie as she walked away.

“How have we not bumped into each other before?”

Unable to continue ignoring him, she looked up. “Why would we have?” The anger in her tone didn’t bother her at all.

He glanced down and shrugged. “Well, with Julie living here, I figured—”

“This is my first time in Ireland.”

“Ah.” He offered her a half-hearted smile.

Anxious beyond belief, Alexis chugged the rest of her wine, then poured herself another glass. She sipped it, daring a glance over the rim, finding Ciarán smiling.

“Alexis Stanek,” he said, shaking his head slowly, as if struggling to accept she was real. “This is a pleasure.”

In the mirror, she saw the blond woman sitting at the table he’d left, throwing not-so-casual glances their way. “I think your date’s looking for you.”

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