“A non-disclosure agreement.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but I’ve surprised him so much that he’s speechless.
“I have to protect my job.”
“I understand.”
“I hope you’re not offended.”
He’s silent for a moment, then his voice grows serious. “I wasn’t the one who started that rumour. I never slept with her in the changing rooms.”
“It was a long time ago,” I say, trying to brush it away. I don’t want to have this conversation now.
“I would never have done something like that. I liked to have fun, that’s true, but I never wanted to hurt anyone.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”
“But I want you to believe me.”
“Why?”
“What if I told you I don’t know?”
I’d say that I’m not here forI don’t know.
“I’d say that it’s time for you to go home, now.”
I get to my feet, and he does the same.
“Jordan…”
“You should go, Niall.”
He sighs, then nods, heading towards the front door. I follow him, stopping behind him. He turns to face me and flashes me a small smile. “You’re even more beautiful than I remember,” he says suddenly. “And I’m not talking about Friday night. I’m talking about right now.”
“W-what?”
“I had to say it. I wanted to say it the other day, in your kitchen, but you were in a hurry to get rid of me, and I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“I don’t—”
“Don’t say anything.”
He steps towards me, his hand sliding to the back of my neck.
“Just…” He bends down to my mouth and brushes against it, lightly. “This.” He presses his lips against mine as I stand there, frozen. He doesn’t go any further; he steps back slowly and pierces my eyes with his.
“That’s for the other morning.”
His hand slides away from my neck, bringing a lock of my hair with it. He watches as it slips through his fingers, then tumbles gently over my shoulder.
“I didn’t like the fact that I left without saying goodbye. I never leave without saying goodbye.”
“I-I don’t think that’s the best way to make this work,” I manage to say, somehow without collapsing.
“You’re right – but this doesn’t count, just like the other night doesn’t count.”
A strange sense of disappointment suddenly washes over me – and an entirely different sensation, too.
