Page 42 of Aidan

“Normally, I’d agree. But, at the time, being Sorcha’s friend was more important than being a Donnelly.”

My brother stares at me for several seconds and then he narrows his eyes. “You’re in love with her.”

I shake my head. “What? No I’m not. She’s my best friend. Nothing more.”

Cian stands over me. “Go ahead and keep lying to yourself if it makes you feel better.”

Before I can respond, he walks out of the office. I slump back in the seat. He’s wrong. I amnotin love with Sorcha.

CHAPTER20

Sorcha

I can’t rememberwhen I had such a good time. Thankfully, Caitlín has been happy to lead the conversation. She also has a way about her that makes a person feel comfortable. It’s not that I’m an introvert or shy. I just tend to let others do all the talking unless I feel like there’s something I want to to add to it or if it’s a topic I have a lot of knowledge about.

“Are you excited or nervous about the wedding?” I ask Caitlín. “Aidan told me you were getting married in a few months in Brooklyn.”

“Both, but I’m even more excited over the fact that my mother loves nothing more than to plan weddings. She’s organized nearly all of her childrens’. I think Nathan and Lucia’s was the only one she didn’t do everything for, and that’s only because they got married here in Dublin.” She takes the last bite of her dessert.

I’m a bit envious and even more sad. My mother and I had been close. Same with Da. Neither one of them will be here to see me get married. Nessa lays her hand on my arm. “Hey, are you okay?”

I nod and smile a little sadly. “Just thinking about my own parents and how they won’t be at my wedding.”

“I’m sorry. I feel the same way about my mum not being there if Cian and I ever get married. She died when I was so young, but I still miss her,” Nessa says softly.

“I know I’m not a replacement for anyone’s mum,” Caitlín adds gently. “But I’m happy to help with any wedding planning you want me to help with. Either of you. I don’t mind. I’m just letting my own mother do it, because I know how much she loves it.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it. Aidan and I haven’t even set a date yet. Or even started talking about it.”We onlyjust decidedit’s even real.

“If I’ve learned anything in my life, it’s that men aren’t going to make a point to sit down and think about things like that unless you make them. It’s not necessarily that they don’t care,” Caitlín pauses. “No, wait, never mind, they don’t.”

I’m taking a drink and nearly spew it everywhere. Instead I cough and grab my napkin. Nessa laughs and pats my back.

“I’ve learned to be cautious about when I drink when she’s talking for this very reason,” she says.

Unapologetic, Caitlín shrugs. “Even I don’t know what’s going to come out of my mouth half the time.”

I manage to get my coughing under control. “I guess I’ll have to be the one to bring it up.”

Aidan’s cousin chuckles. “Don’t make it sound so terrible. Communication is important. How else are you going to know what the other is thinking or feeling if you don’t talk about it? It’s all part of being in a relationship.”

Nessa stares at her like she doesn’t recognize her. Caitlín chuckles. “What? I manage to give out decent advice every once in a while.”

My gaze bounces between them and Nessa turns to me. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but…what she said. Talk to Aidan. You two have been friends for this long, it’s not as though you don’t know how.”

I sigh. “You’re right. Everything feels different now, but we’re still both the same people. Talking is something we’ve never had trouble doing. We’ll figure out this new relationship between us eventually.”

We finish our dessert and drinks and the server brings the bill. I get out my pocketbook, but Caitlín waves me off. “It’s on me.”

“Thank you.”

Once she’s paid and we leave the table, a tall, scarred man with silver-flecked hair rises from another table and falls in line behind us. I glance over my shoulder at the distance between him and us and lean close to Nessa. Before I can say anything, Caitlín pivots so she’s walking backward and blows a kiss at the man. “Thanks for lunch, babe.”

She swivels forward and the man shakes his head, but there’s a grin on his face.Ohhh. That must be her fiancé. My curiosity is raised. Does he always linger nearby when she goes out or is there another reason he’s sticking close?

“Who’s up for some shopping?” Caitlín asks.

“I should probably get back to the house.” The guilt returns about leaving the kids, even though it shouldn’t.

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