Karl had not needed context or history. He’d seen enough.
And, whether I acknowledged it aloud or not, so had I.
Kieran
Dinner wound down easily. There was no abrupt ending, no signal that the evening had shifted, just a natural slowing,the conversation loosening into something lighter, more fragmented.
And yet I was aware of that quiet pull towards Stefan. It wasn’t urgent or overwhelming, but itwasconstant.
Karl collected the plates. I offered to help, but he told me to stay put, then disappeared into the kitchen.
Stefan turned to face me, close enough that I could feel the warmth of him.
“Do you want to come back with me tonight?”
My answer came before I had time to overthink it. “Yes.” Then I added, “I don’t think Karl will mind. He’s probably expecting it after this week.”
Stefan gazed at me as if confirming it, then nodded once. “Good.”
Karl re-entered the room. “Would you like coffee?”
“We’re going to head off,” I said before Stefan could get a word in.
Karl chuckled. “Already?” Something in his tone told me he wasn’t in the least bit surprised.
“Don’t sound so disappointed,” I shot back.
“I’m not,” he said mildly. He glanced at Stefan. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”
“Same here.” Stefan pushed his chair back. “If I may use your bathroom before we leave?”
“Certainly.” Karl gestured towards it. When the bathroom door closed behind him, Karl’s gaze alighted on me. “Hey,” he said quietly. His expression became more focused.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
“Relax,” he said with a chuckle. “I like him.”
I blinked. “Yeah?” I aimed for casual.
Karl glanced towards the bathroom, then back to me. “Yes. And he likes you.” Karl added.
I swallowed. “Oh?”
Karl narrowed his gaze. “Youknowhe does.” Then he smiled. “He’s good for you, in ways you probably don’t fully understand yet.”
That stopped me. “And that’s the problem?”
Karl shook his head. “That’s the risk. And he isn’t a complete stranger, by the way. I know him by reputation.”
I froze. “Is it a good reputation?”
He smiled. “You are in very safe hands.” Then he walked over to me, and laid his hand on my shoulder. “Just don’t pretend you don’t know what this is. Don’t pretend this is casual.”
The words landed harder than anything else he’d said, right to the heart of it.
I shuddered out a breath. “I know it isn’t.”
“What’s more important is that you don’t want it to be.”