“Oh my god,” I shake my head.
“Well, it’s possible, but you know what? Get it, girl. You’re going to have to show me how he used a bikini top to tie you up. Never knew you were kinky like that.”
The band is playing a Luke Combs cover, which has the entire bar singing. It’s loud enough that it covers Ashley’s voice, keeping our conversation private. Thank God. I don’t need the entire town to know about my sex life.
“It was… enlightening.” I agree.
“So how are you two going? Like, is it working?”
I swallow. “We’re good.”
Her eyes narrow. “But?”
“No buts!” I promise.
“There’s a but, I can feel it.”
“He told me he loved me,” I whisper, quiet enough he doesn’t hear me, but Ashley doesn’t take the cue to be quiet back.
“What!?” She practically shrieks and I dart forward, slapping a hand around her mouth.
“Good God, woman,” I hiss, meeting her dark eyes. I can feel her mouth moving behind my palm. “You gonna keep your voice down?”
She licks my hand in response.
“Ew!” I pull away, wiping her saliva onto my shorts.
“Oh please,” She rolls her eyes, “We kissed senior year, tongues and all, and you were there when my kids were born. You can handle my spit.”
I give her a blank stare.
“You need to back up,” She continues, quieter now at least. “He told you he loved you?”
I nod, glancing at Roman, who tips his beer bottle to his smiling lips.
“When?”
“Just before we came out,” I swallow, feeling my stomach flip as I trace that smile with my eyes, completely obsessed with it. I can’t put my finger on what it is about it that has my body responding the way it does, but it’s a high I never want to stop chasing.
“What did you say?” She pries.
“Nothing,” I wince. “I didn’t know what to say.”
“Niamh,” She sighs, “Wellhowdo you feel?”
“How am I supposed to know?” I ask her, “I’ve never done this before. I’ve had all of two boyfriends that lasted three months in total, and a handful of hookups that I ran from the moment they wanted more.”
“How does he make you feel?” She puts her head in her hand as she places her elbow on the bar to listen.
“Everything,” I answer.
Her face softens. “You love him back.”
“Maybe? I don’t know.”
She chuckles, “Explain it, babe.”
“I can’t. It’s right here,” I point to my chest, “But it’s light and heavy all the same.”
