I know what I want out of life. I’ve always known what I want, the kind of relationship my parents have. A love that will last a lifetime. If Cillian isn't capable of that, it’s better I find out now than spend another year of my life chasing yet another man who is unavailable.
‘There you are!’ My mother bulldozes into the conversation. ‘What a wedding! Wasn't it the most fabulous day ever? Just so magical.’ She clasps her hands together wistfully. ‘It’ll be you next, mark my words.’
Bonnie and I exchange a glance over the table. No wonder Cillian bolted.
‘Where’s Cillian? Wear him out, did you?’ Dad saunters in, slipping into the seat beside me.
‘He had to go home. Between work, and Phoebe, it was hard enough for him to get away for yesterday.’
‘Of course.’ Mam nods sympathetically.
The thought of Phoebe causes my chest to constrict. Whatever Cillian decides, whether he’s man enough to try to work things out between us or not, I promised him I’d always be Phoebe’s friend, and that’s one promise I’m determined to keep.
A flashback of the FaceTime call winds me like whiplash.‘Love you.’
All that she’s been through and she’s not afraid to love others.
I just hope Cillian finds it in himself to feel the same.
‘What’s the plan for the day?’ I change the subject, sounding breezier than I feel.
‘I’m going to check out the golf course,’ my dad says.
‘Spa and bar,’ Mam says, helping herself to the coffee pot.
‘Sounds like a plan.’ Bonnie agrees.
Yep, I’m going to need something stronger than coffee to get through the next twenty-four hours without Cillian, wondering if I’m enough for him to take a chance on.
Or if I’ve just given my heart to another unavailable man.
ChapterForty
CILLIAN
Thursday 21st December
‘Hello boss.’ Alex greets me with a single arched eyebrow as I pass through the main floor to my office. He fiddles with the button of his suit jacket. ‘Or should I call you brother?’
‘Don’t even joke.’ Given what our parents have been up to, it’s a distinct possibility. Somewhere deep down, I already know it’s true. I even wrote it on my HeartSync sign-up form.
My father is tucked up in a private room at the St Vincent’s hospital, receiving the best treatment available for a wounded heart, while my poor mother fights to deal with her broken one alone.
‘Perhaps we could be one happy blended family?’ My voice drips sarcasm.
Alex blows out a long heavy breath. ‘I can’t believe it.’
‘Huh. The sad thing is, I can.’ I nod towards a small meeting room and follow Alex when he steps inside. ‘Is this going to make things awkward, you working here knowing my father did what he did?’
‘No. Just make sure when it goes to court, that bastard pays for what he did to your mother, and mine. I know she’s far from innocent in this but she’s stupidly naive. Your father’– he clears his throat – ‘is a womanising bastard.’
The fact that Alex is uncannily similar lingers unspoken in the air between us.
Will this change him? Calm him down? Or send him even further off the rails when it comes to playing around?
‘I’ve been waiting for this day for years. I’m sorry you’re caught up in it.’
‘Me too.’ He shrugs. ‘My father’s gone to Switzerland for the rest of the ski season. He’d rather bury his head in ten feet of snow than face Christmas without my mother. Poor fucker.’
