Page 88 of Twist of Fate
“Brenna is a friend from school,” I tell her. Her eyes dart up, revealing the hesitation in her gaze. She’s been betrayed before, and though this would hardly be classified as one since we’re not together, I know she would still feel the sting of it nonetheless. “She was in town for a conference. We met for drinks and to catch up.”
“Things looked pretty intense between you two.” She barely makes eye contact as she speaks, which shows she still doesn’t believe me. That hurts a little, but I understand.
“Just because I was the one to walk out of that loo doesn’t mean it was easy, Ash. It’s been a rough few weeks,” I confess as her face softens ever so slightly. “She’s always been someone I could confide in.”
“So, you’ve always just been friends?”
I wince. I had hoped she wouldn’t ask that particular question. “We dated briefly in secondary school before we both went off to university.”
“So, you’ve…” She trails off, but I understand what she’s asking.
“That was a long time ago. She’s engaged now and is planning a wedding in the fall.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
My gaze drops to her lips for a brief moment before I answer. “I don’t know,” I sigh. After two years, I still can’t seem to keep my mouth shut and not say things like this. “I don’t know how to just be friends with you, Ash.”
“Then why try?” My heart flutters in my chest at her bold words. “Why keep pushing me away when we both know this is exactly where we’ll end up anyway?”
“You don’t know that—” I try to argue, but she cuts me off.
“I do know that, Finn. Do you realize how many times fate, the universe, or whatever you want to call it has thrown us together? How often I’ve turned a corner or walked into a restaurant—or moved halfway around the world and found you waiting for me? We’d be crazy to think that’s merely a coincidence.”
I swallow hard, knowing she’s right. Rian even pointed it out, but I brushed him off.
“But you know I can’t give you the life you deserve. I know you’ve suffered enough from the men who have been absent in your life—first your father, and then Leo. I refuse to become just another name on that list.”
“Then don’t.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Why not? I’m only here for three more months.” Just the thought of it makes my stomach feel hollow. “I’m tired of pretending this thing between us doesn’t exist, Finn. So, if we can’t have forever, at least let’s make the most of the time we have.”
“Three months and then what?”
Her expression turns sorrowful. “Then I’ll go back to the States, and you—”I’ll go back to being miserable.
Can I do it?
Can I give myself to Ash, knowing that in the end, I will have to walk away?
I instantly know the answer is yes because having her for even a moment is better than not having her at all. I knew this two years ago, and I still know it now.
I stand up and extend my hand. “All right. Come on.”
“What?” She lets out a laugh but rises from the sofa. “Where are we going?”
I don’t want to be in the same house as my mam right now, but I also don’t want to waste precious time trying to get back to my apartment.
I guide us through the spacious sitting room and the formal dining room until we reach the doors that lead to the back of the house. I flip the outside lights and the dead bolt but pause before turning the brass knob. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it for real.” Before she has a chance to ask what I mean, I take her hand. She watches as I slide off the gold Claddagh ring and rotate it so that the crown points outward. Toward me. “For the next three months, Ash, you’re mine.”
“What about work? What?—”
I silence her with a kiss, and she answers with a whimper. Her hand reaches up and fists the collar of my shirt, and I groan. I didn’t think this through, and my brain suddenly goes haywire from the feel of her mouth on mine.
I pull back, and we’re both breathless. “I don’t care,” I say. “Tell them. Don’t tell them. It’s your decision. We’re not breaking any rules, but if you’re worried about what they’ll think, I’ll understand if you want to keep it quiet.”
“And Theo?”
