Page 57 of Save Me
“You didn’t drink any wine. Not even a sip during the toast. You brought it to your lips, but you didn’t drink.”
I falter on my excuse. “I’m not a wine drinker.” She noticed that?
“And you ordered everything I’ve ordered, exactly how I’ve ordered it. And all these questions you’ve been asking, about what I can’t eat, and vitamins, and doctor appointments.”
“I was just making conversation.” But even I hear how weak that sounds. My shoulders slump in defeat. “It was not planned. I found out yesterday, and I don’t know what I’m doing yet.”
“Does Ronan know?” Her eyes widen. “Wait, itisRonan’s, right?”
“Yes, of course!” A nervous laugh escapes me and,with it, a bubble of tension. There’s relief in not holding this secret so tightly. Except … “He doesn’t know yet. You can’t tell him.Please.”
Abbi leans in, placing her hand over mine. “I won’t say a word.”
For some reason, I believe her, even if she doesn’t owe me anything.
But given how quickly she and Jeremy figured it out, how long before Ronan does? Maybe that’d be a blessing. He’ll stop calling and showing up and making me fall harder for him.
I sigh heavily. “What do you think he’s going to say?”
“Honestly? I have no idea. This is huge.”
“Life-altering.”
“Yes.” She nods in agreement. “And Ronan hasn’t given off family man vibes. He certainly hasn’t lived a life my mama would approve of. Then again, neither have I, by her standards,” she mutters dryly.
“I have a good idea about Ronan’s lifestyle. I mean, there’s Connor.” I give her a knowing look. “And I met Katie and Rachel on the weekend.”
“Oh, yeah. Their history with Ronan is something. I’ve seen it up close and personal once. Unintentionally.” She holds her hands up in surrender. “But from what I know, a lot of the things he and Connor used to get up to aren’t happening anymore. Not with Ronan, anyway. He’s looking for something more serious.” She hesitates before smiling. “I know he’s crazy about you. He told me this morning.”
My chest swells with warmth. It’s followed quicklyby panic. “Will he still feel that way after he finds out?” My voice is thick with doubt.
She pauses to consider that question. “The one thing I learned about Ronan is that people are always underestimating him. I used to too. Now? I consider him one of my very best, most loyal friends. If there’s someone I can count on, besides my husband, of course, it’s him. Every time, without fail.”
“But if I decide to have it, I don’t want him to feel trapped or forced. I want him to be in my life because he wants to be.”
“Tell him that.” She nods with encouragement.
I’m about to ask her how she thinks I should break the news when a commotion rises near the restrooms, where Henry holds a hand over his left eye.
Meanwhile, Ronan marches toward our table, fury etched in his stony face.
“I’m ready to go. You ready?” He rounds the table, ignoring the countless shocked looks from both guests and staff. Even the mermaid has paused her swim and floats mid-tank, watching.
“I guess?” I swap glances with Abbi, who looks as confused as I feel, her brow furrowed with worry as she watches her husband, who squints as he tests the corner of his eye with his finger.
Holy hell, Ronan punched Henry Wolf in the face.
“It was nice to meet you.” I shoot one last pleading look for Abbi’s silence before climbing out of my seat, my cheeks flushing from the gawkers.
Ronan leans in to press a kiss against Abbi’s forehead. “Sorry, Red, but he deserved that one, I promise.” Hisattention snags on the plate in front of me that I haven’t touched. Grabbing it in one hand, he leads me past Henry, toward Opal Reef’s doors.
Ronan slows long enough to toss a “Fuck you, Wolf” before he shoves the door open, grabbing and holding it so it doesn’t swing back on me.
We’re halfway down the hall before I say, “So you really like lemon tarts.”
“What? Oh.” He looks at the plate, then at me. “It’s for you. I didn’t want you to miss out.”
“Right.” I wait another beat and then dare ask, “What happened?”
