“Chaotic?”
I laugh. “At times. But it’s nice to have so much support.”
“It’s everything I ever wanted.” Ciara smiles down at her bump. “It’s funny how things work out in the end.”
“It’s so weird to think that there will be two babies in the house.”
“Well, three if you count, you know…” Ciara gives me a look, and I cringe. “Come on, Riley, at some point you’re going to startshowing, and the game will be up. That is if no one catches on to the fact that your morning sickness has started.”
“I know.”
“You’re lucky Ronan’s distracted right now, otherwise he would have one hundred percent guessed what was wrong the other day.”
“You think?”
“Iknow.”
“Well, you’ll be pleased to know that I have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Rogers. I just called to confirm it.”
Ciara’s expression softens immediately. “Good. That’s good, Riley.”
“I just—” I swallow hard as I fiddle with the hem of my t-shirt. “I need a reason to be there, you know, for if Kieran asks. Lucy suggested that I say I’m delivering something for you.”
Ciara tilts her head, studying me like she can see straight through me. “Or you could just be honest with him.”
I let out a groan as I collapse against the nest of pillows behind me. “Don’t start.”
“I’m serious. He loves you, Riley. This is his child too.”
“He’s never actually said it…”
“Said what?”
“That…he loves me.”
“What?”
I bolt upright. “Shh!”
“Sorry, but seriously, what the hell? He’s never told you he loves you?”
“Technically,no, but in his defense, I haven’t either.”
Ciara’s jaw is practically on the floor as she continues to bounce on her ball.
“I don’t understand you two. I mean, it’s obvious you both love each other, so why not just say it?”
“If you haven’t noticed, we don’t have the best track record of telling each other things.”
“I would never have guessed.” Ciara rolls her eyes. “Kieran I can understand because he’s a Sullivan, and Sullivan men don’t do feelings. But you? Riley Walsh, you’re like a walking emoji.”
“Uh, thanks?”
Ciara laughs as she rubs her belly absentmindedly. “What I mean is that you wear every expression on your face. You don’t hide your emotions or feelings, which is why I find it hard to understand why you’re trying so hard to hide them from Kieran?”
“I’m not doing it on purpose. I guess it’s more subconscious reasoning.”
“So, what is it? Are you scared of abandonment? Or are you scared that Kieran will feel the same, and you’re terrified of having everything you’ve ever wanted because you feel like you don’t deserve it?”
