was on your mind in the middle of the night.”
“You are?”
“Yes. Brogan… you have to know that I like you.”
“I like you too, Kira,” Brogan said. He sat up, running a hand through his hair.
The man was absolutely maddening, Kira decided. She’d just professed she liked him, and here he was brushing it off like it was nothing. Gracie’s words came back to her. She supposed it was time to take things into her own hands.
“If that’s the case, I would like to ask you on a proper date. My treat.”
Brogan looked at her as though she’d just spit in his face. “Excuse me?”
“Erm… I didn’t realize the idea would be so repulsive to you.” Annoyed, Kira launched herself out of bed, not caring that she was wearing only a tank top and underwear. This was what happened when she tried to date, Kira thought as she measured out the coffee. It all came back to bite her in the arse.
“I didn’t… I’m not saying…” Brogan groaned and flopped back on the bed.
Turning, she put her hands on her hips and watched while he ran his hands over his face. “What are you saying, then?”
“Listen, Kira.” Brogan stood up and walked to her, but paused when his eyes caught on her purple silk underwear. Distracted, he forgot to speak.
“Yes? This is the part where you tell me no and you just want to be friends, right? I’ll save you the trouble. We’re friends. Go on then. Have a good day. I have to get ready for work.”
“No, wait, Kira, please. Just listen.” Brogan’s hands landed on her shoulders and turned her gently around again so she stared mulishly at his chest.
“Go on.”
“Look at me.” Kira lifted sulky eyes to his. “I’m the one who’s supposed to be asking you on a proper date. Not the other way around.”
“Bollocks. Women can ask men on dates.”
“I understand that. I’m not saying you don’t have that right. But I’m insisting that you let me ask you on a proper date. It’s not for you to be doing.”
“Have I affronted your manhood?”
“A bit.”
“Fine, then. Go on.”
Brogan blanched. “Go on? Like… right now?”
“See? If you were excited about asking me on a date, you’d have done it by now. It’s fine, Brogan. We can be friends.”
“I just… I’m at war with myself, okay? This has nothing to do with you or your desirability, and everything to do with my own insecurities. I don’t know if I should even start this dance when I’m not sure you’re going to want to keep dancing with me once it’s all over.”
Kira worked to follow his fumbling logic. It sounded like he was nervous she’d give up on him quickly.
“Isn’t that any dating, though? You never know how it’s going to turn out. So you have to take a risk at some point, don’t you?”
“But what if it goes wrong? And we still have to work together? I don’t want to lose you on this project. You’re such a strong asset for the team.”
“I am, aren’t I?” Kira beamed up at him. “All right, if it’s assurances you want… I promise if this doesn’t work out – and mind you, I’m literally only asking for one date – that I will still work on the nature center and we will figure out how to still be friends.”
“If that’s the case, then… Kira, will you do the honor of joining me for a proper date?”
“I’ll think about it.” Kira sniffed and turned away. Then she let out a whooshing laugh as Brogan picked her up and tossed her onto the bed. “Brogan!”
“Enough sass out of you. Is that a yes or a no?”
“Yes, Brogan, I will go on a date with you.”
“I’ll message you details later, once my head stops pounding and I can plan a proper date. Don’t get all moody and weird on me if you don’t hear from me for a bit. I’ll likely be face down in my pillows moaning about my poor life choices.”
“You were quite pleased with yourself last night. A lads’ night and you beat Liam at darts.”
“I did! That’s right. Already I’m feeling better.” Brogan stopped by her door. “Thank you for your hospitality. I will see you for our date… soon.”
“You’re welcome…” But Kira was speaking to empty space.
She grinned as she heard Brogan clatter down the steps. Pulling a pillow over her head, she squealed into it.
Now, to work on convincing Brogan that they had more than one date in