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I side glance him. “That’s a bit hard to believe. Everyone wants something.”

“I like yer company. If ya feel ya need to give me something in return, come to dinner with me. Ya can tell me what that look is about.”

“What look?”

“It’s not the same sad look from when ya arrived. Something else is going on. I’ll be all ears, I will.”

Ugh. I don’t want to talk. I want to listen to him. The musical way his words come out is so enchanting. I could listen to him for hours.

But you’re not supposed to want anything to do with him, Dean. He is not for you. Period.

“There isn’t enough time in the world for me to unburden my life on you.”

“Try me, love. I have time.”

“Time you shouldn’t waste on me. It’s not going to happen, Ronan. You’re a nice guy, but I have too much going on to get involved.”

He reaches for my chin and turns my face toward him. Once again, he’s looking me deep in the eyes. After a few beats, he nods to himself.

“Aye, ya need a friend. Ya came to the right place. I’ll be a shoulder for ya to lean on. We’re going to dinner.

“Two friends shooting the shit. After, we can open that bottle and polish off those chocolates. You’ll be here in my home for the next year.

“Why not become friends? We can pass the time together whenever I’m here,” he breathes.

His minty breath brushes my lips. I want nothing more than to lean in and kiss him. However, the situations that chased me here flash in my head and I think better of fucking up my new safe space.

“Two weeks haven’t been enough,” I murmur to myself.

“What’s that, love?”

“Nothing, thinking out loud.”

“Come on, Dean. You know you want to.”

I tilt my head to the side. “What happened to your accent?”

“I want to make sure you understand every word I have to say to you.”

“Um. Okay, Ronan. You might be right. I do need a friend. Kaye is busy taking care of business. Maybe you can be the shoulder I lean on.”

“Grand. For now, I can be that friend. Give it some time and you’ll want more,” he says and winks.

“Can I give you some advice?”

“I’m all ears.”

“You don’t want me. I come with a whole lot of crazy.”

“Sometimes I like crazy. If you can match mine, then I know we belong together.”

I can’t help but laugh because I know he’s dead-ass serious. I haven’t missed that look in his eyes, this man has secrets of his own and I don’t doubt that he’s hiding a bit of crazy too.

I think that’s what’s drawing me to him. That should tell you a lot about me. I have a thing for the crazy ones.

* * *

Ronan