Page 188 of Dirty Eoin

“I appreciate your kind are somewhat unconventional but, in my faith, people court and then they marry.”

“My kind?”

“You know what I mean.”

There’s a pause.

“When did you first realize, Jaine?”

“When did I first realize what?”

“That you loved me. When did you know?”

“At the container. After you killed Malky. You did what you did to avenge me that day. As much as it was brutal, I realize it was done out of love.”

“Not before?”

“I can’t be sure, Eoin. Even if I did, I’d have told myself I didn’t.”

“Because of Paddy.”

“Yes.” I sigh.

“Do you love him more?”

My heart fills with emotion at the uncertainty in his voice, and I instinctively lean against his side and let his arm wrap around me.

“Not more. Differently.”

“In what way?”

I lift my head to look at him. “I love you, Eoin. Isn’t that enough?”

“In what way?” He repeats the question which is what he does when he won’t take no for an answer.

“Irish and I share a connection.”

“You didn’t have that with Ace?”

“No.”

“And not with me either?”

“No.”

“So, you love him more.”

“Don’t twist my goddamn words.”

He ignores my hissy tone.

“Describe it. This love.”

How do I describe something indescribable?

“If I reach my mind out far enough, I’m sure I can feel him. It’s like he’s ever-present.”

“Fate.”

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