Finally, Kieran sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “What if I gave you something to do?”
“Like what, chores?”
“No, not chores. A job.”
“A job? Seriously? So, you want me to be a maid?”
The muscle in his jaw ticks. “I already have a maid. Look. Ciara is being put on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy and, like you, she is very headstrong and stubborn.”
“I beg to differ?—”
“I was going to suggest to Ronan that you can spend a few hours over at their place every day to keep her company as well as help get things ready for the babies. I think you would have a lot in common.”
I hesitate.
I’m not very good with new people, and the thought of being forced to become friends with Ronan’s wife scares me a little.
“You want me to babysit your pregnant sister-in-law?”
“She needs distraction and you…” He gestures vaguely at me. “You need to get out of the apartment, so I thought, why not kill two birds with one stone?”
“But I don’t know anything about babies, and pregnancy kind of freaks me out.”
“Seriously?”
“There are literal humans inside humans! How can it not freak you out?”
He shrugs. “I guess I don’t think too much about it.”
“Urgh, you’re such a guy.”
“You’re missing the point I’m trying to make here, Riley.” Kieran sighs. “Can you just accept the hand I’m trying to offer you? Right now, it’s the best I can do.”
I exhale slowly.
It’s not exactly what I was hoping to get from this conversation, but it’s something.
From what I’ve heard, Ciara was put in a similar situation to me in terms of her marriage with Ronan, so maybe she might have some good advice for helping me deal with my situation with Kieran.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
He visibly relaxes as he dips his chin. “I’ll make arrangements.”
I pause, watching Kieran carefully.
There’s something in his expression that makes me almost want to cower under the weight of his gaze. But instead, I decide to push him even further.
“What about coffee with Lucy? Surely, I can do that, too?”
His eyes narrow slightly. “You can invite her over here. That way, I can be sure you’re both safe. But only if you promise not to turn my apartment into a sorority house.”
And there it is again, that stupid twist in my chest. Because if Kieran truly didn’t care, he wouldn’t be offering me compromises. He would just say no and move on without a second thought.
But he’s trying.
Sort of.
“I promise.”
He nods before stalking to the fridge.
The silence falls between us once more as he starts pulling out cartons of eggs and packets of bacon, and I awkwardly fiddle with the hem of my t-shirt before deciding I’m better off leaving him alone.
As I turn to leave, I glance back at Kieran one last time.
He’s staring at my bare hand, and I swear for a moment, hurt flickers in his eyes.