In Too Deep

He nodded.

“I’ll have French toast and a side of bacon. And a pot of coffee.”

“Ham and egg sandwich,” Ronan ordered.

He sat quietly until the waitress delivered their coffee. As he poured them each a cup, he asked again, “If there was no cheating, what was it?”

“Haven’t you ever just had a relationship not work out?”

“Sure, but never after asking someone to marry me. At that point, I’d expect we knew each other well enough—all the dark and ugly parts—that you loved the person enough to want to spend your life with them.”

Dark and ugly parts she had discovered in spades. “Some people don’t reveal those parts early on and it takes time to uncover them.”

“Did he hurt you?”

Chloe sucked in a breath. She hadn’t meant to let him get that close. This was a difficult question. She knew what he was asking—did he hit her—but she was no less hurt. “Someone always ends up hurt when there’s a break-up.”

He reached across the table and wrapped his fingers around her forearm. “That’s not what I’m asking.”

“I’m aware. And I think you’re smart enough to realize that I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Chloe.” His voice was soft but held a hint of warning.

“Ronan,” she countered. “Let’s not do this. We agreed that we’re casual. We don’t need to share deep secrets. But to put your mind at ease, he never laid a hand on me.”

Although it was the truth, it felt like a copout. But she couldn’t bring herself to explain how Tim had made her feel small and stupid and worthless.

He dropped it then, even though she could tell he didn’t want to.

“Want to help me think up ways to pump Mrs. Byrne for information about Cahill and his old campaign?”

“You shouldn’t be doing that.”

“Mrs. Byrne loves me. I do my job so well that her husband can feel comfortable faking retirement. Whenever she makes plans, he’s there because he trusts me with the bar. Besides,” she said with a broad smile, “I’m such a sweet girl.”

“Yeah, you are.” His voice was husky and she knew he wasn’t thinking about her sweet personality.

The waitress delivered their food and they dug in.

As she cut her French toast, she asked, “Any exciting plans this week?”

“If you consider looking at kitchen counters exciting, then yes. How about you?”

“Just work. But I’m not closing every night, so if you’re not busy, we could get together.”

“Sounds good. I like getting together with you. Just shoot me a text when you’re free.” Half of his sandwich was already gone. “I appreciate all the help you’re giving us. You are, in fact, a very sweet girl, Chloe McCarthy. As bad as it might be to say, I’m glad your ex fucked up.”

That made her laugh. “I’m glad, too.”