“It was amazing,” I reply. Then I glance at the large bulge below his waist. “But what about you?”
Ronan shakes his head dismissively. “It’s not about me. It’s about you.”
“But.” I push myself up to a seated position. “You just?—”
“Angel.” His smirk fades into something more serious. “I told you I’m okay with taking things slow. I want you to be sure about this. About me. And.” The same earnest look he had when he asked for another chance reappears. “I want to make you feel good. That’s the most important thing.”
Oh.
My throat goes thick.
No man has ever put me first before.
It’s okay to forgive him,my heart says.He made a mistake. He owned up to it. He wants to make it right. And he cares about you. It couldn’t be more obvious.
Swallowing hard, I smile at him. “You did. You definitely did.” Then I have a thought. “How about lunch? It’s almost noon. I could make us something. Unless you need to get back to work?”
Ronan returns my smile with one that carries a hint of relief. “I can take some time for lunch.” He puts his hands on my waist and lifts me off the counter. Then he leans down to kiss me. “I’d love to have lunch with you.”
“Okay.” Realizing I’m not wearing anything from the waist down, I look around for my clothes. “I think I’ll get dressed first, though.”
“Well, you could stay like that,” he teases. “I wouldn’t mind.” But he obligingly bends down to pick up my jeans. “I think I like?—”
A sharp trill cuts him off.
My heart leaps to my throat.
Is it the security system? Someone calling about Haley?
Ronan yanks his phone from his back pocket and looks at the screen. “It’s just Enzo,” he says quickly. “Not Alec. And not the security system.”
But his expression is solemn as he answers the call. “Enzo,” he says without preface. “What’s going on?”
I find my panties on the counter by the sink and put them back on. But my attention is on Ronan and whatever Enzo is saying to him.
“Alright,” Ronan finally says. “We’ll be there soon. I just want to make sure Angel eats something first.” He pauses, listening. “Right. I will. See you soon.”
Then he ends the call and puts the phone down. “Angel.”
“What is it? Is something wrong? It’s not Haley, is it? Or my house? The drugs? The?—”
“It’s none of those things.” He moves towards me and takes me into his arms. “It’s not bad.”
“Then what is it?”
Ronan looks down at me. “It was Phil,” he says. “They found evidence. Alec and the police. According to Enzo, it’s substantial. And the police searched Phil’s apartment. They found drugs hidden there. Cocaine.” He gives me a moment to absorb it. “Phil’s guilty. And the drugs were his. We’re going to have a meeting at GMG after lunch so we can go through all of it.”
Cautious hope blossoms inside me. “So it’s over?”
Ronan hugs me close and kisses my forehead. “It’s over.”
CHAPTER 15
RONAN
“We’re going to do mani-pedis,”Haley chirps.
She’s so wound up, she’s practically vibrating with excitement. “After that,” she continues, “We’re going to watch a movie and eat all kinds of junk. That’s what Hazel said. Nothing healthy. Only junk. That’s what you have for a girls’ night. Candy and chips and ice cream and chocolate.”
