“We do?” I ask, looking at the petite blonde curiously.
Liam leans back in seat, “Yeah, Rory’s a figure skater, Briar does ballet, you’re both sassy, andbothof you were kidnapped by O’Rourke men.”
My jaw drops in shock and Aidan elbows his brother again, but it does nothing to deter the shit-eating grin on Liam’s face as he keeps his eyes on me.
“So, Briar,” he says, shoving his brother away from him, laughing before leaning onto the table with clasped hands to look at me. “You and Koen… whatexactlyis going on there?”
My cheeks heat and I lock up. “I—I’m not sure?—”
“Like, are you two dating?” he presses. “Just talking… enemies with benefits…situationship? Because he’s been acting weird as fuck lately, and?—”
Aidan kicks him under the table.
“Ouch!”
“Leave her alone,” Aidan hisses.
“It’s just a question…” Liam says. “And you know you want to know, too!”
My eyes connect with Rory’s when she clears her throat. “Well, I was just about to make a quick run to the powder room, Briar…” She stands, giving me a pointed look. “Do you want to come with?”
I’m already up and out of my chair before she’s finished her sentence.
“Can I come too?” Liam pipes up, and I think Aidan’s eyes roll into the back of his head.
“No,” Rory smirks. “Girls only.”
Liam sinks back into his chair, looking genuinely disappointed.
Rory links arms with me, and once we’re a safe distance from the table, she leans in. “Don’t mind them. They’re harmless.”
“The literal Irish Devil siblings, harmless? Yeah, okay,” I huff out, automatically, before snapping my mouth shut and turning toward her, hoping to god I didn’t just offend her.
Rory just snorts. “Okay, maybe notentirelyharmless,” she amends, and we both laugh.
We step into the bathroom, and I take care of some needs before washing my hands at the sink. Rory steps out to join me. I glance around; it’s just the two of us in here.
I look over at Rory, wanting to ask her a question, but my nerves are getting the better of me.
She notices when she grabs a hand towel. “You okay?” she asks, eyeing me with concern as she dries her hands.
I swallow. “Yeah, I… Can I ask you something?”
The corner of her mouth ticks up. “Depends…”
“You don’t have to answer if it’s too personal, but… is it—is it true Aidankidnappedyou?”
Her eyebrows rise, her blue-gray eyes going wide, but she doesn’t look offended—rather, she looksamused. “So, technically… yes.”
“Technically?”
“Okay, he totally kidnapped me, but heneverhurt me, and hedidlet me go.”
“He let you go?”
“He did, but only for me to run right back.” She smiles softly.
“Why would you do that?” I ask, genuinely trying to understand.
