Page 56 of Fighting Chance

Bella seems to shake herself out of a thought. “Layla…my dear sweet Layla. Honey, that man is smitten with you and has been since he met you at the charity event.”

I can’t help but scoff.That’s absurd.

My cheeks begin to flush, and as I feel that telltale heat climbing up my neck and along my cheeks, I turn my attention to where it’s safe—Emmy. If I thought the cartoon’s had her enthralled its nothing compared to now. Her eyes are glued to the TV, trying to catch a glimpse of Kieran.

Is this what it’s been for her? Waiting with baited breath for a small glimpse of her dad? What did her mom tell her? That he didn’t want her? How terribly heartbreaking that the only chance she got to see her dad was through a screen.

“I’m telling the truth,” Bella pushes.

“Kieran likes the chase and I’m the only one who has never given in to him. That’s it. I don’t doubt that the second I gave in to him, he’d lose any and all interest.”

Cindy folds her arms over her chest. “And how would you know that?”

I shrug as if it’s the easiest answer in the world. “Because it’s who he is. He’s only ever been with women for one night. That’s his rule.” I can’t help but wince. “I adore him and think he’s akind man, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a fuckboy.”

“You can be a fuckboyandbe infatuated with someone.”

I click my tongue at Bella. “Infatuated. Right.”

Bella and Cindy share a look, one which I honestly don’t want to decipher. I don’t need anyone putting ideas in my head that my bossactuallylikes me beyond our teasing nature. Kieran and I flirt, yes, but that’s it. He sees me as the woman who turned him down, and all he wants to do is rectify that and push my buttons. He would never want to take it further than that.

I think that’s why I love teasing him so much. If I keep denying him, he’ll continue to flirt with me…and I don’t want to admit that to the girls. Yes, I know it’s a little sad and pathetic.

Although let’s be honest, I don’t think that many women would blame me. Because when Kieran gives you his full attention, it’s like you’re the only woman in the world.

Ididn’t have the heart to move Emmy up to her bed when the girls were here. Her hand was clinging to Bambi’s paw so hard we had to switch it out with the teddy’s paw when Bella went home thirty minutes ago.

Sighing, I gently sit beside Emmy still sleeping on the couch, the TV light brightening the room every now and then. A smile stretches across my face. Tonight was so much fun and such a success for so many reasons.

Bella was right. Cindy is so sweet and bubbly she pulled me right out of my shell, and I forgot I was even feeling nervous at all. The last time I clicked with someone that well was when Bella and I met in middle school.

And god, did it feel good to eat junk food and sit on a couch watching men beat each other up while giggling with my girlfriends. It healed a part of my soul, to be sitting here now with adopey smile on my face instead of a wince as I hobble into bed due to exhaustion.

But not only that—Emmy.

Sweet little Emmy spoke.

Shespoke, and not just one timid whisper like when I met her. This happened multiple times, her excited squeals, claps, and praise for her dad filling the living room anytime Kieran came on screen.

Cindy’s right, Emmy must have been tracking Kieran’s jersey number.

He has been dying to put the pieces of Emmy’s life together. Of how her mom treated her, if she was always a junkie, if Emmy was socialized. He’s had so many questions and rightfully so. The last three years of Emmy’s life are a complete mystery, and with her not uttering a word, we’ve both been left on the outside.

But tonight shined a small light into her past, that her mom at least told her about Kieran.

I can’t wait to tell him.

His response to my text was exactly what I expected.

KIERAN

getting kinky are we? ;)

trying to tick something off on your list?

It took every ounce of self-control to not burst out laughing when I read that. I knew the moment I did the girls would pounce and they’d be relentless in asking questions.

It’s just flirting. Harmless flirting,I tell myself.