"really?" salem asked, raising an eyebrow.
ciarán nodded, sighing. "how about we start with ryan?" he suggested, causing salem to roll her eyes.
"i've made it clear that i don't wanna be with him, and i know you actually don't wanna talk about him; so let's talk about our latest kiss instead." she had a mischevious smirk on her face.
ciarán grimaced, focusing his attention on his drink rather than making eye contact with salem. a blush began to form across his nose and cheeks as he started apologizing.
"listen, i'm sorry that i took advantage of you like that. i don't know what the fuck was going on with my emotions but—" he would've kept rambling if salem hadn't stopped him.
"i forgive you, ciarán." she said, a small smile on her lips.
"can we forget it ever happened?"
salem shrugged, "even though i was drunk, i kinda liked it."
ciarán took his bottom lip between his teeth and winked, "i'll keep that in mind, baby girl."
salem's nose wrinkled in disgust, but she broke out into a fit of giggles. "never do that again. you sound like a tiktok e-boy."
ciarán shook his head, laughing. salem could feel the bliss pumping through her veins at the sound of his laughter. she had missed hearing it, and completely forgot how enamored she was with it. in fact, there wasn't much she wouldn't do just to hear it over and over again. his laugh alone brought her that much euphoria.
"i'm glad you didn't know me as a teenager."
"why not?" salem tried to hide her smile, beginning to grow curious.
"i was a whole different person in belfast." he chuckled, reminiscing the shit he did as a teenager.
"i bet you were."
"what's that supposed to mean?" he asked, sounding slightly offended.
"i bet living in america has changed you, a lot. i've only been living here for a few years and i know i've changed." salem shuddered at the thought. growing up in canada, she found her american neighbors unusual—but now she was one of them.
"trust me, i've changed too; if i went back home, i think everyone i knew would tell me to fuck off and go back to america." he chuckled.
"i just wish your accent was stronger." she sighed, resting her elbows on the table and her chin in her palms. she stared at him dreamily, thinking about ciarán with a stronger accent. she accidentally let out a giggle as she envisioned it.
"it comes out in a few words, like: now, sound, out, about, mum." while speaking the aforementioned words, salem heard a slight accent present.
she grinned, "aww, that's so cute! go visit family in belfast for a while and come back. i like your accent."
he shook his head. "and leave you? nah."
salem gave him a stern look. "when was the last time you saw your mom?"
ciarán let out a low whistle, "i don't know, years ago?"
"go see her, she probably misses you a lot." she said softly, pleading him with her eyes.
"i talk to her daily." he crossed his arms against his chest, trying to reason with her.
"that's different from seeing her in person." salem countered.
"come with me then."
"you want me to meet your mom?" she asked, her mouth agape.
how was he going to introduce her? hey mum, this is just a friend of mine that i took overseas to meet you.
hell, she wasn't even dating ciarán, and he wanted her to meet his mom?
maybe that'll change soon.
he shrugged, "i don't see why not. you're hella sweet, and i'm sure she'd like you."
"hm, we'll see." she bit the inside of her cheek, leaning back in her chair.
"so you're agreeing to go with me?" ciarán's eyes visibly brightened.
"i'll think about it." salem lied, knowing fully well that she'd agree to go with him. how couldn't she? she had seen the excitement on his face, and she had never been to europe. it was a win-win situation for the both of them.
after a brief moment of silence, ciarán quietly spoke. "i missed this."
"i missed you." salem replied without hesitation.
the both of them knew this, but saying it out loud was comforting. the feeling was mutual, and it wasn't one-sided.
their days felt longer without the each other, and they longed for just the other's presence.
"oh, shit! i forgot to mention: congrats on being signed to key models." ciarán suddenly said.
"thank you, cici." she beamed. "kevin told me you said congrats when it happened."
ciarán groaned, "of course he did."
"you should be thankful for him."
ciarán looked at her. she was right; he had gotten him here. if it wasn't for him, he'd probably be moping in bed right now.
"speaking of kevin, he dropped me off here so i have no way to get back home." ciarán sighed, hoping she'd take the hint.
that explains why i didn't see his car in the parking lot. salem thought.
"you can always call an uber." she said, causing him to frown. "i'm joking, ciarán, i'll give you a ride." she chuckled.
"can we leave soon? i've been out all day." he asked, stirring the tapioca pearls around at the bottom
of his drink.
"of course we can. i've had a busy day at work and i can't wait to get home and relax." she sighed fondly, thinking about the comfort of her bed.
ciarán chewed on his bottom lip—like he would with his sweater sleeve, but he was wearing a t-shirt—contemplating whether or not he wanted to ask her if he could come over.
"whatcha thinking about?" she asked curiously, noticing him staring at her absentmindedly.
his thoughts stopped abruptly, "do you mind if i come over? i know you've had a long day and all but i miss hanging out—"
"you missed hanging out with me?" she clutched her hands over her heart, feeling her insides grow soft. "i don't mind, we could do nothing for hours and i'd still be content." she admitted. she loved having these types of relationships with people; the ones where you could just enjoy each other's presence without really doing anything.
"do i sound clingy?" ciarán asked, beginning to have second thoughts.
"no, no, not at all, cici. i love being around you. i think i'm just as 'clingy' as you are." she reassured him.
at this point, she knew she was ready to be with ciarán.
she just wondered when he was ready.
a/n:
i just started school so updates might come less frequently </3 BUT IN OTHER NEWS: STREAM GINGER !!
