Page 36 of Kiss Me, Mr. Bridge

“She’s old enough to look after herself,” I tell them while gritting my teeth.

Lucia glances our way, a shy smile playing on her lips before she turns and walks toward the house.

Jack reaches for her arm, but she shakes her head and says something I can’t hear.

My muscles tense, ready to intervene, but she handles it herself and disappears inside.

“Ronan,” Niall calls out. “Come join us for the family photo.”

I head to the garden where everyone’s gathering. Niall positions me next to my ex-wife, Jennifer. I clench my jaw. She stands too close, her perfume bringing back memories I’d rather forget.

“We should have dinner sometime,” Jennifer says after the photos. “Catch up properly.”

“Too busy.” I step away, scanning the crowd for Lucia.

When I don’t find her there, I head into the house.

I find her in the living room, talking with Romeo again. He’s young, handsome, and successful. I catch my reflection in the mirror. The silver in my hair is more prominent than ever, the lines around my eyes deeper.

Why would she want someone like me?

When Romeo leans in close to whisper something in her ear, I can’t watch anymore.

I grab my keys and head for the door, leaving the celebrations behind.

It’s been three days since I saw Lucia at her family’s home and every day should get better, instead it feels harder. I’ve picked up my keys too many times between then and now, desperate to beg her to give me a chance, but something always stops me.

Even now, as I sit at my desk in the club’s private office, shuffling through the stack of paperwork for this weekend’s auctions, I’m tempted to pick up the phone and call her. Not text her with a time but just talk to her.

I sigh as my fingers skim over the NDAs, making sure each one is signed and dated.

“The STD test results are all back and cleared,” my brother Caleb informs me.

“Good. Make sure the contracts are ready for me to review and sign off on.” I hand him the stack of papers.

“We’re waiting for the new contracts to arrive. Miss Simmons sent me a note to say she’d email them before the close of business today.”

I nod and he heads out of the office, leaving me alone with my thoughts about Lucia. It’s been three days since I last saw her, and the ache to be near her is constant.

But like the universe is ensuring I keep my dirty hands off her, my phone buzzes on the desk. Worse, when I glance down, it’s Amelia’s name that flashes across the screen.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I answer. “Hi.”

“Hi, Dad. How are you?” Amelia’s cheerful voice fills my ear. A lot different from the last time I spoke to her.

“Fine. How are you and Olivia?” I lean back in my chair, trying to focus on the conversation.

“Did you know Olivia is a really good dancer? I never knew—” Amelia pauses, and I can picture the thoughtful expression on her face. “Strange, considering she is so focused on becoming a doctor.”

“I don’t know what is strange about it considering I paid for years of dance classes.”

“I mean really good, considering her job is so stuffy.”

Olivia is my wonder child, the one who is extremely academic. She was never pushed like Lucia was—she’s just gifted; I suppose. Next year she’ll be a resident doctor in Boston. Another two years and she’ll be fully qualified—just like her mother.

Amelia, on the other hand, thinks being an Instagram influencer is the way to make money. Shame she comes to my house once a week to make her content.I glance down at the paperwork in front of me. “You two are very different.”

The door to my office opens, and Caleb steps in, holding a single document. “The updated contract from the lawyer just came back. You’ll need to review and sign off on it.”

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