When I arriveat the Sullivan estate an hour later, I’m greeted at the front door by Elena, who gives me a tight smile before stepping aside to let me in.
“Riley is in the living room.” She closes the door behind me.
Just then, I catch the sound of Riley’s laughter filtering through to the foyer, and my shoulders tense.
It’s been too long since I heard that sound, and after the conversation I’m about to have with her, I have a feeling I’m not going to hear it again for a while.
I follow the sound of laughter into the living room and find Riley curled up on the couch beside Ciara, a bowl of popcorn between them and some sappy romance movie playing in the background.
Ciara looks up as I enter and grins. “Well, well. Look who decided to gatecrash.”
Riley looks up at me over the back of the couch and offers me a small smile.
It’s more than she’s given me in days, and I almost drop to my knees at the sight of it.
Even after learning about her sister, I haven’t had the guts to bring it up because I don’t want to ruin the good mood she seems to be in after hanging out with Ciara for the past few days.
“Hey,” she says quietly.
“Hey.”
For a moment, we stare at each other, the silence hanging between us like a heavy fog.
Ciara watches me closely, but for once, she doesn’t offer any sly remarks, which I appreciate.
“I didn’t think you were coming to get me until later?” Riley eventually asks.
“I need to talk to Ronan.”
“Uh-oh, what’s Brennan done now?” Ciara teases, and I huff a laugh.
“For once, he hasn’t done anything.”
“Give him time.” She laughs as she pushes herself upright and slowly tries to climb to her feet.
I quickly cross over to her and put an arm around her waist to help her to her feet. “I thought you were meant to be on bed rest.”
“I am. But these babies think my bladder is a trampoline.”
A low chuckle sounds nearby, and I look up to see Ronan leaning against the doorframe, watching Ciara as if she hung the moon.
“Do you need help?” Ronan asks.
She scoffs. “Contrary to popular belief, I am still capable of going to the bathroom on my own.”
As she passes him, Ronan bends down and presses a kiss to her cheek.
The sight of the two of them together has my chest tightening.
I glance at Riley, who’s tucking her hair behind her ear and avoiding my gaze.
“I’ll give you two some space,” she mumbles as she goes to get to her feet, but I hold out a hand to stop her.
“You can stay.”
She hesitates for a second, surprise flickering in her eyes, but she settles herself back into the couch, and I perch on the arm.
Ronan takes a seat in one of the armchairs. “So, O’Keefe is looking like he’s going to make a move.”
