CH 6

0 0 0
                                    


Brittany awoke to sunlight streaming through her hotel room window, illuminating the cozy space with a warm glow. The night before had felt like a turning point—she had stepped boldly into the light, sharing her relationship with Cian with the world. There was no going back, but for the first time in a long time, she felt exhilarated.

As she rolled over, she saw Cian sprawled across the bed, his tousled hair and peaceful expression a stark contrast to the chaos that had engulfed her life. The memory of their impromptu balcony embrace filled her with warmth, and she couldn’t help but smile. She reached out to brush her fingers through his hair, delighting in the way he stirred at her touch.

“Morning, sunshine,” he mumbled, cracking one eye open. “What time is it?”

“Too early for a rock star like you,” she teased, sitting up and stretching. “But I have plans for us today, so we can’t waste the morning.”

His interest piqued. “Oh? Plans, huh? What kind of plans?”

“Only the best,” she grinned. “We’re going to explore more of Dublin. You’re my tour guide, remember?”

Cian chuckled, propping himself up on his elbow. “All right, I’m in. Lead the way.”

---

They spent the day wandering through the winding streets of Dublin, the city buzzing with life around them. Cian showed her his favorite haunts: a tucked-away bakery that served the best scones, a tiny art gallery filled with local talent, and a graffiti-covered wall where street artists showcased their work. Each stop was punctuated with laughter, teasing, and shared glances that made Brittany’s heart race.

As they strolled through Temple Bar, the energy of the area pulled them in. Music floated through the air from nearby pubs, and the colorful buildings seemed to vibrate with the life of the city. Cian pulled her into a lively pub, the sounds of laughter and traditional Irish music spilling out into the street.

“Welcome to my second home,” he declared, leading her to a small table in the corner. “You can’t visit Dublin without experiencing its pubs!”

She grinned, soaking in the atmosphere. “This is amazing! How have I not been here before?”

“You probably never had the right tour guide,” he replied, a playful glint in his eyes.

They ordered pints of Guinness and traditional Irish stew, the warmth of the food settling comfortably in their bellies. As the music picked up, Cian leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You know, I can’t believe you posted that photo last night. You’re kind of a big deal now.”

“Kind of?” she laughed, rolling her eyes. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.”

“A compliment, definitely,” he said, his gaze earnest. “But it does mean we’ll need to deal with the consequences.”

“Right,” she sighed, remembering the storm of comments and messages waiting for her on social media. “I’m ready for it, though. I can handle the noise if it means I get to be with you.”

“Good,” he said, a proud smile spreading across his face. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

---

RecklessnessWhere stories live. Discover now