Chloe reluctantly draggedher ass out of bed Sunday morning to join her family at church. Although her family had always been churchgoers, her mother’s expectation of Chloe’s attendance had increased tenfold ever since Garrett had moved back to Chicago and their parish. Now, she was expected to show her face at least once or twice a month. It wasn’t that she hated Mass or didn’t believe in God. It was mostly that she worked late and hated getting out of bed early.
The rest was routine for her. In times of stress, she often prayed, because that was what she’d been raised to do. As an adult, she’d questioned her beliefs, but it always came back to just doing what was easiest. And making Mom happy was easiest.
Plus, they would have lunch together as a family, and that counted as a visit, so two birds. As they walked back to the house—it was a beautiful summer day—Chloe listened to Neil talk about a big new job his firm was taking on. Some downtown renovation and he hoped to be on the team. Erin and Mom were chatting about the kids, who were running ahead down the block.
The rumble of a truck coming down the street caught her attention and Chloe looked over her shoulder. Ronan. She was torn between wanting to jump onto the back of his truck to escape and wanting to hide from him because she was embarrassed. She couldn’t believe she had the nerve to tell him to fuck her. She didn’t know where that had come from. Well, she’d known, of course—she’d always had a thing for him—but to just say it? Last night, it seemed like honesty was a good thing. In the light of day, not so much. Maybe it was because he saw her as the good girl, or maybe it was the fact that she was just coming from church.
She wasn’t one to verbalize her desires. But it had felt good to be honest with Ronan, even if he did ultimately reject her. What would have happened if she had been that honest with Tim? Or her mother?
The thought was so bizarre that her brain froze.
She slowed her pace as Ronan parked. Her mother was already opening the front door. Ronan stepped from the truck and Chloe felt her whole face get hot.
Her dad yelled, “Porch looks good, Ronan.”
Chloe rolled her eyes at her dad’s neighborhood manners. She didn’t believe he liked Ronan any more than Mom did.
“Thanks,” Ronan responded. His gaze met Chloe’s.
She forced a smile she didn’t feel, and then put her head down and went into her family’s house. Erin’s kids already had the TV on, and Chloe debated sitting with them or going to help in the kitchen. Erin decided for her when she looped her arm through Chloe’s and said, “Let’s get lunch.” Then she lowered her voice and said, “Ronan Doyle is looking good.”
Chloe rolled her eyes. “I didn’t notice.”
Erin nudged her. “Liar. I heard all about what happened after I left the block party.”
“What did you hear?” she asked as she paused before stepping into the kitchen. They had five minutes at most before their mother joined them. Mom always changed out of her church clothes and into something more casual once she got home.
“All about a smoking hot body shot between you and Ronan. The way I heard it, people were expecting clothes to melt away.”
Chloe shook her head. “It was Truth or Dare. Ronan thought he could get under my skin, but I’m not a skittish teenager anymore.”
Erin laughed. “Oh, I wish I could’ve seen the look on his face when you agreed to let him do that.”
“Well, if you weren’t an old married fart, you would’ve been out there getting drunk with us.”
“I’m not old.”
Just then, their mom came downstairs. “What are you standing around here for? Lunch isn’t going to make itself.”
After Mom walked by, Chloe stuck her tongue out at her sister. While they might be living completely different lives, they were sisters and Erin would never talk about Ronan being a hottie in front of their mother. Chloe didn’t understand why her mom didn’t like Ronan. She couldn’t imagine it was because of the night Chloe had gotten drunk and Ronan rescued her. She’d explained what had happened right away.
In the kitchen, Mom had deli meat set out, along with a pile of fruit and salad fixings. “Erin, set the meat and cheese out on a tray. Chloe, cut up the fruit to make a fruit salad.”
The sisters worked side by side at the small island while their mother worked on the other side of the kitchen.
“Seeing anyone these days?” Erin asked.
Chloe shook her head. “I had coffee with Pizza Face.”
“Chloe,” her mother admonished.
Chloe smiled. “If I used his name, Erin wouldn’t know who I was talking about.” Turning back to her sister, she added, “His skin is totally cleared up now, but the date was horrible. He made it painfully obvious that I’m not interesting enough for him.”
“What?” Erin said. “You’re fun.”
“Hmm,” her mother said. “Lance’s mother indicated there was going to be another date.”
“Well...” Chloe started with a chuckle. “I was at work and didn’t want to be rude. So when he asked, I said maybe. But I will be busy indefinitely.”
“But—” her mother started.
Erin cut her off. “You know who I saw this morning on my way here?”
Chloe shook her head, but mouthed, “Thank you” to her sister for stopping Mom from talking more about Lance.
“Brendan Doyle. He was on his way into Super Cup.”
“Should’ve been on his way to church,” Mom said. “Those boys need all the help they can get.”
“They aren’t boys anymore, Mom. They’re grown men and Brendan works for the FBI. I’m pretty sure he stays out of trouble. And Ronan works construction. They’re not running the streets.”
“Hmph.”
Chloe set her knife down with a clink. “Why do you hate them? They had a rough time when their dad went missing. But—”
“Ran off, you mean.”
Chloe paused. “That’s rumor. The Doyles don’t think he ran off. Do you know something the rest of us don’t?”
“I know the type.”
“What type, Mom? What did any of the Doyles ever do to you?” Her voice was louder than what would be considered appropriate, and she waited for the scolding.
“Brendan broke your heart by running off. You were drunk and vulnerable. And his brother took advantage.”
Chloe scoffed. “I wish.”