6. Ciara
After arriving back at my flat, I almost didn’t leave again. I was utterly demoralized that I’d let Alex walk away.
But what other option had there been? He’d had pre-existing plans, and our amazing day together hadn’t obligated him to… anything. All undeniably true. Yet I couldn’t shake the whisper of regret for the maybe of what could have been. Which I’d never know because I hadn’t had the guts to ask for what I’d wanted.
Why hadn’t I just taken a chance? If he’d said no, then I’d have had closure, and I wouldn’t be any worse off than I was right now, save for a bruised ego.
Needing to escape my own crap mood, I changed into a favorite outfit and headed out to meet my friends at Thistle and Barrel. I’d texted earlier that I’d probably miss tonight because of the massive delay in my travel plans, but I didn’t update them now. Better to give myself the out in case I got to the pub and realized I’d had enough peopling for the day and decided to nope out. At this point, it could go either way.
The pub was located a couple of blocks away from the more famous string of bars in Cowgate and was generally frequented by locals rather than tourists. I had always appreciated the neighborhood feel of the place. It reminded me of a more upscale version of The Stag’s Head, the pub in the Highland village where I’d grown up. I stepped inside, feeling myself unwind at the sight of the familiar dark-paneled wainscoting and tartan wallpaper. As the warmth and din of conversation wrapped around me, I wove through tables, scanning the crowd for my friends. Though I spotted at least a dozen regulars, none of them were who I’d come to meet. Navigating to the bar, I waited until Elsie, the bartender on duty, came my way.
“Hey, Ciara. What’ll it be tonight?”
“A pint of Thistly Cross.”
“You’ve got it.” Elsie moved to fill a pint glass.
“Did you notice where Ailish and Rory were sitting?”
“No, sorry. I haven’t seen them tonight.” She set the glass in front of me. “But we’ve been pretty slammed. I might’ve missed them. Do you want to start a tab?”
“No. Thanks.” I paid for my drink and slowly wandered through the bar, hunting in the little nooks and corners where my friends preferred to nest for a night of drinking.
Finding no sign of them, I slid onto an empty stool and sent a text.
Me: Where are you? I’ve been all through T and B’s.
A few minutes later, a reply came back.
Ailish: Oh my God, we didn’t think you were coming, so we ended up at Dropkick Murphys.
I winced. The high energy atmosphere of the Irish tavern definitely wasn’t my vibe tonight.
Rory: Let us close out our tab here and come join you.
If they’d run a tab, chances were they were settled in right and proper. I hated to spoil their night, and now that I was out, I was back to regretting not opting to take advantage of the fact that my roommate was out of town for the weekend for some quiet. Then at least I could nurse my disappointment in private.
Me: No, that’s fine. I’m just going to finish my drink and probably call it an early night.
My friends tried for a few more minutes to convince me to join them, but I’d made up my mind. I wasn’t fit company. Still, I took my time with the cider, knowing better than to simply guzzle it. Lunch had been hours before, and I definitely needed more than the snacks we’d had on the train. Should I order something here or hit up the chippy around the corner from my flat? Or maybe I could pop into the Tesco for some ice cream. They were all better options than taking my chances on what might be in the cupboards at home.
“Ciara! Fancy meeting you here.”
The male voice pulled me out of my head. I glanced up and immediately wished I’d stayed home entirely.
After he’d pursued me for months, I’d gone out with Sean Thomson exactly once. That date had been more than enough to confirm what I’d already suspected—that he was far more interested in finding a woman to fawn over his perceived accomplishments and exploits than actually having a meaningful conversation. I’d politely declined going out with him again and had successfully avoided actually seeing him since. Looked like my two-month streak of luck was up.
“Sean.” Why the hell hadn’t I agreed to let the girls come meet me like they’d wanted? Then at least I’d have backup incoming.
He leaned comfortably on the bar beside me, invading my personal space bubble. “You haven’t been answering my messages or calls.” His lips were curved in a smile that told me he thought this was some sort of game.
“I didn’t think we had anything further to say. We have nothing in common.”
“That’s part of the process! You needn’t play so hard to get. I’m already more than interested.”
Annoyed that he hadn’t actually listened when I’d said I didn’t care to see him again, I took a sip of my cider to buy time to think. Damn it, I hated hurting anyone’s feelings, but it was more than obvious I’d have to be forceful with him. Guys like him simply didn’t understand nice because their over-inflated egos didn’t comprehend the fact that any woman wouldn’t want what they had to offer. Of course, there was also the possibility that he wouldn’t respond well to true rejection, in which case I’d simply draw on the self defense drilled into me by my former military big brother.
I really hoped it didn’t come to that. It would cause a scene to drop him here in the middle of a crowded bar.
But as I opened my mouth to deliver a clarification Sean couldn’t fail to understand, an arm slid around my shoulders and a familiar voice rumbled, “There you are.”
Stunned and certain I hadn’t heard right, I turned toward the new arrival. Alex’s eyes were warm as he pulled me closer to his side.
“You’re here.” It was all I could think to say, even as I cuddled into him.
“Sorry I’m late.” Something in his gaze shifted as his hand skimmed my cheek.
I wanted to ask what he was doing here, but I was too busy leaning into the warmth of his touch, like a flower seeking the sun.
Sean began to sputter. “Ciara, who is this… person?”
My personal miracle with the best possible timing.
Alex didn’t spare him a glance. “Her boyfriend. Bugger off, mate.” Then his fingers slid into my hair, and he lowered his mouth to mine.