BIRDIE | NH |

TEN

Niall

God, I'm so fucked.

The thought keeps circling around and around in my
mind, over and over and over.

Walking out of this restaurant with my fingers laced through Wren's— It's obvious. Getting to know her has made it impossible not to want to get even closer and closer.

Knowing that her lips felt like against mine?

That felt like the epitome of coming home... No matter how fake it was supposed to be.

I didn't have to come to this dinner with her family.

When she told me about it and said that I didn't need to meet her or go with her, the sour feeling in my stomach seemed to follow me all day long. So instead of going home after my last meeting, I found myself driving to the restaurant she told me about.

Walking in the doors and just seeing how close her ex was to her— The way his hand slipped across her leg under the table had a whole new feeling bubbling inside of my chest.

It wasn't jealousy, but anger.

For him to think that not only could he even sit in her presence, but to touch her? To put his hands on the woman he should have treasured?

Yeah, I don't fucking think so.

Without a second thought, I walked up to the woman who wasn't really mine and put my lips exactly where I wanted them to be.

Ever since that event, ever since I kissed Wren for the first time, it felt like all I wanted to do was kiss her again and again.

But I wouldn't do that.

It was against the rules.

"Thanks for coming." Turning to face me once we reach her car, those pretty chocolate eyes find mine. "You didn't have to do that."

"It's no problem." I shrug. "That's what I'm here for, right?"

Biting her bottom lip, the one I want to take between my teeth, her eyes search mine for just a moment. "Yeah, yeah. You're right."

We stand there facing each other for just a second before Wren reaches into her bag, the movement making the light reflect over the chain on her neck.

"You're wearing it?" I take the small pendant between my fingers without thinking, my eyes going from the stone to her lips, making a path until they meet her eyes. "I figured you'd let it sit in that box you tried to leave at my house."

Her laughter is melodic, her smile a perfect picture.

"Well, I figured if we really want to sell this thing then maybe I wouldn't let it get all dusty." Mischief dances behind her eyes. "Thank you, by the way, for coming here tonight."

Dropping the pendant, I put my hands in my pockets before I do something stupid like hold her when I shouldn't. "Yeah, well.... Just helping sell our story."

"Right." Clutching her keys in her hand, dark waves fall across her face. "I should get home."

Stepping back, I resist the urge to try and figure out how to spend more time with her.

How to prolong every second.

Being around Wren is like getting to feel the warmth of the sunshine after a twenty year dark night— an indescribable feeling.

The more I know her and see her the more I want everything with her.

As I watch her get behind the wheel the words circle back to me once again.