“Not … exactly,” I repeat, this time with even less certainty. Then I turn and pinch the back of Rowan’s arm, making him wince. “You’re not going to say anything?”
He frowns and rubs at the spot above his elbow after I knock himout of the spell he’s been under. “It’s not what it looks like,” he directs at Daisy, his voice tinged with guilt.
She turns her glare back to me, and I figure I have to give themsomethingnow, even if it means letting them think we hooked up a couple of weeks ago to keep them from sleuthing out the whole story.
“The truth is Rowan has slept over at my house, but we didn’t sleeptogether,” I explain. “He needed a place to crash after your wedding, so I let him stay in my spare bedroom.”
“So you didn’t hook up?” Landry asks carefully. Rowan gulps audibly but is otherwise silent.
“Nothing happened that night,” I say confidently. “And even if it had, I don’t see why it would be any of your business. We’re both single adults,” I add, lifting my chin in indignation.
“But there were other nights?” Daisy asks. “Nights before you were both single?”
I cringe, regretting my decision to tell her that I was still married the first time Rowan and I met.
“Look, I don’t have anything to hide,” I declare, trying desperately to keep the panic from seeping into my voice. “Your brother’s the one with a reputation to protect. So you might want to think twice before you ask another question, at least for his sake. You may just get an answer you don’t like.”
“Is it weird that I kind of want to ask even harder now?” Landry whispers, and Daisy nudges him in the side. “Hey, it’s not so funny now that it’s aboutyourbrother and not my sister, is it?”
She whines and pouts, and I can’t help but feel slighted by her reaction. She’s practically my only friend, not to mention notorious for seeing the best in everyone, and even she can’t bear the idea of her brother with someone like me.
“All right, then,” Landry says, bringing me back. “Since you said you have nothing to hide, go ahead and tell us. Have you and Rowan ever been … intimate?”
“That depends on your definition of that term,” I reply evenly, though my heart is pounding. Because the truth is that I’ve told Rowan things I’ve never told anyone else, and regardless of ourphysical involvement, he probably knows me more intimately than my ex-husband ever did.
“You know what I mean,” Landry says with a sardonic smirk.
I clear my throat awkwardly as they continue staring me down. I’m also not sure how these things work, especially for devout Catholics like the LaFleurs. What exactly does and does not constitute sex?
“Claire’s right. It’s none of your business.” Rowan finally speaks up.
Landry looks back and forth between us. “So you have slept together, then.”
“No,” Rowan says firmly.
“Somethingmust have happened, though. You’ve kissed, haven’t you?” Daisy demands, her question surprising me. It also triggers another one of those inconvenient flashbacks, one so steamy that it makes my mouth dry and forces me to lick my lips in lieu of forming an answer.
“Yes,” Rowan admits begrudgingly. “We’ve kissed.”
I resist the temptation to add,a lot … and not just on the mouth.
“And when did you start … dating?” Daisy asks.
“We’re not dating, and we never were. Like Claire said before, she’s not interested in me that way,” he continues, and I nearly call him out for gaslighting me before remembering I’m the one who’s been feeding him that lie.
“Now, are you satisfied?” Rowan turns to ask Landry, but he doesn’t wait for an answer as he stands and begins collecting dishes. Landry sighs, looking slightly remorseful.
“It’s getting late. We should probably clean up,” Rowan adds on his way to the kitchen, and I realize I’ve missed my opportunity to escape once I see the look on Daisy’s face.
“Did you really not know about the whole celibacy thing?” Daisy whispers, gesturing in Rowan’s direction.
“No. And I already feel stupid enough for not figuring it out until tonight,” I mumble.
“That’swhat you meant about Rowan not being perfect, then.He lied to you.” Landry states it as a fact, because he can’t help but reiterate their findings.
I roll my eyes. “He definitely withheld some of the truth.”
“Wow. And you couldn’t tell?” Landry’s brow lifts.
