Page 13 of Rush
She stands and walks over. Rush watches her go but doesn't follow.
"You must be Everly," she says when she reaches our table. "I've heard so much about you."
"All good I hope."
"Of course." Her smile is bright and warm. "I'm Ciara. I work with Enya at O'Hara's."
"Nice to meet you."
"You too. How are you settling into Dublin?"
"Good. It's been great so far."
"That's wonderful." She glances back at Rush. "I see you've met our resident guardian. He's very dedicated to his job."
There's something in the way she says it—not quite possessive but close.
"He's been very helpful," I say carefully.
"I'm sure he has." Ciara's smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Well, I should get back. I just wanted to say hi."
She walks back to the bar and I watch her go, my instincts prickling.
"She seems friendly," I say to Chloe.
"She is—mostly."
"Mostly?"
Chloe shrugs. "She's protective of her friends."
I glance back at the bar where Ciara is leaning close to Rush again, saying something that makes his jaw tighten.
Yeah, protective is one word for it.
Later that night, Rush walks me to my car again. It's routine now.
"Your friend seems nice," I say as we walk.
"Ciara?"
"Yeah."
"She's alright."
"You two close?"
"We're friends."
"She seems to care about you."
He doesn't respond, and we reach my car in silence.
I unlock the door and turn to face him. "She doesn't like me much, does she?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Just a feeling."
