“Do you think he’d try something? He seemed really sorry once he sobered up.”
Sorry is an understatement. By the time the police marched him off to jail, Phil was sobbing and begging Frank to give him another chance. But Frank wasn’t having it. “I’ve known you since you were toddling around in diapers,” Frank told him sternly, “and I’ve given you more than enough chances because I respect your parents. But today? Assaulting one of my employees? You went too far. And I’m very disappointed in you.”
“I don’t think he will,” Ronan replies. “But in my line of work, we always say better safe than sorry. And once you have the cameras, you’ll feel safer.”
I thread my fingers between his. Then I steal a guilty look in Haley’s direction, but she’s still deep in conversation. “I’m not sure I can afford cameras, Ronan. I hate saying that, but it’s true. Maybe I could find the money for one, but?—”
“We have extras. A lot of them. At GMG, that is. The guys won’t care if I install a few at your house. You know they won’t.”
No, they probably wouldn’t.
“If I mention to Hazel that I’m worried about your security,” Ronan continues, “what do you think she’ll say?”
He’s got me there. “She would have Alec come over to install them. And nag me incessantly until I agree to it.”
He flashes me a triumphant smile. “She would. So it would be easier, really, if I just did it.”
“But Ronan.” I hold his gaze. “I don’t want…”
Concern creases his forehead. “Don’t want what?”
Do I say it?
“I don’t want you to feel like you always have to help me,” I blurt. “I appreciate it. I really do. But I don’t want you to think I expect it.”
Hurt flashes in his eyes. “I don’t think that. At all.”
“I’m not explaining it right,” I say. “I just… I want to do nice things for you, too.”
“You do. The cookies and the hot chocolate?—”
“That doesn’t count. I already had those.”
His gaze softens. “It counts to me.”
I know I should drop this before I make things awkward. Casting about for a solution, I ask, “What if I make you dinner? A nice one? As a thanks for the lights and mini Mount Nilsson and the ski lessons? I’m a pretty good cook. Or at least, that’s what people tell me.”
Ronan gives me a long look. “You don’t have to do that, Angel.”
“But I want to.” And suddenly, I really do. I want to make my mom’s famous chicken carbonara with Caesar salad and garlic bread on the side. And for dessert, I’ll make the chocolate pudding cake Haley always asks for on her birthday. I want to do something special for Ronan not just to thank him, but to make him happy.
“Okay.” Ronan turns my hand over and rubs his thumb in a small circle over my palm. “Ihaveheard that you’re a good cook, as a matter of fact. If you’re sure you wouldn’t mind?—”
“I don’t mind. I’ll make you dinner whenever you want.”
Ronan thinks for a second. “What about tonight? If you don’t have plans? We could go over to my place to eat, so Haley could meet Murphy. She’s been asking about him. And I just renovated my kitchen a few months ago, so all the appliances are new.” He grins. “Honestly, I’ve barely used it. I’m not even sure how the stovetop works.”
As he waits for my response, I hold a quick inner debate. I’d love to see Ronan’s house after hearing him talk about all the renovations he’s done on it. And I’d love to spend more time with him.
But what about Haley? Would it be confusing to her? Would it make her think there’s more to my relationship with Ronan than there is?
And what about Justin? His text was a bitter reminder of why I swore off dating for so long.
“If you’d rather not,” Ronan says, “that’s okay. If you think Haley would be more comfortable at your house, I understand.”
As I look at Ronan, I catch a hint of vulnerability in his eyes.
My heart squeezes.
