If You Let Me: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

by Nikki Lane

  We were told that the rest of the group was outside. In the backyard, some people mingled by the fountain, others by the in-ground pool. Kieran’s mom spotted us and waved us over. A tall man with Kieran’s smile stood next to her, a drink in his hand.

  “Here we go,” Kieran muttered. He took a deep breath as we walked over. “Hey, Mom...Dad.” Kieran barely looked at him. “This is Rose.”

  Kieran’s dad offered his hand to me. I shook it, feeling the softness of his palm, so different than Kieran’s.

  “Rose, it’s very nice to meet you.”

  “Where are Kelly and John?” Kieran asked.

  “They’re at the beach taking pictures. She wishes you’d change your mind about meeting her there,” his mother said.

  “No, I think I’ll take a pass.”

  The conversation came to a lull, and I could hear the dull murmur of the other people talking.

  “It’s amazing out here.” I could smell the ocean. “And your house is beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” Kieran’s dad replied. He gestured to the ornamental landscaping. “Courtesy of Kieran here.”

  “Really?” I asked Kieran.

  Kieran looked away and scratched the top of his eyebrow.

  “Oh, yes,” his father continued. He took another sip of his drink. It looked like the gin and tonics my dad had on occasion. He chuckled. “The boy gets accepted to Princeton and ends up a landscaper. Rose, maybe you can do me a favor and talk some sense into him.”

  Kieran opened his mouth to stay something but was interrupted by his mom.

  “I’m glad you two decided to stop by.” She flashed a wide smile. “How have you been feeling, honey?”

  “I wish everyone would stop asking me that question,” Kieran said.

  “It’s been a while since we talked.”

  Kieran’s dad took another sip. “Rich mentioned you missed your last appointment.”

  Kieran’s eyes flickered to me for a just a fraction of a second.

  Appointment for what? I wanted to ask, but it seemed like an awkward question to say in front of his parents. Obviously, he didn’t want to talk about.

  “I don’t need you checking on me,” Kieran said.

  “I wasn’t,” he replied, not too convincingly. “He just happened to mention it to me.”

  “Do me a favor. Don’t worry about it. I can take care of myself.”

  “Well, of course we worry about you. You’re our son, and we love you,” his mother replied.

  Three small yapping dogs rushed through the backyard. They ran around the patio, chasing one another, and knocked over a table holding a few glasses and some more food. One dog pounced on the other, catching the tablecloth and pulling it down off the table. A plate and a few empty glasses shattered as they hit the paved ground.

  Kieran’s mom worked on corralling the dogs while Kieran’s father rolled his eyes. “These damn dogs,” he said. “They’re like wild animals!”

  I laughed behind my hand. Kieran’s gaze cut to me, clearly not amused.

  “Your mother won’t stop taking in these mutts that keep showing up at the shelter. I keep telling her they need some decent house training.” He set down his empty glass and attempted to grab one of the dogs as it zoomed past.

  Kieran’s mom managed to scoop up one of them. It was panting and looking proud of itself. “Kieran, why don’t you show Rose around the house,” she said, cradling the dog like a baby.

  Kieran was gripping my hand so hard it was starting to hurt. “It was nice meeting you.” I barely got the words out.

  When we were a safe distance from anyone, I tore my hand away. “Ow,” I said as loud as I could without drawing any attention.

  “I’m sorry,” Kieran said, taking my hand and rubbing the line of my wrist with his thumb. “I just don’t want to stay too long.”

  “What’s the matter?” I asked. “Your parents seem perfectly normal to me.”

  “That’s because you’ve only been here for a half hour. Try living here.”

  “Is this the house you grew up in?”

  “The very one.”

  “Can I see your old room?”

  Kieran led me up a winding staircase. My heels clacked against the hardwood. By the time we reached the top, I was out of breath. I was starting to second guess my choice of heel height.

  Kieran’s room was small with a twin bed tucked in the corner, covered in a blue plaid comforter. A telescope was perched on three legs by the oval-shaped window. I hovered near the door as he walked in.

  “You’re the first girl I’ve had in my room,” he said. “Besides Mom and Kelly.”

  I walked in, noticing the baseball trophies on the dresser. I picked up a signed baseball.

  “Little league home run.”

  “What’s this?” I nodded toward a large rectangular wooden box.

  “That’s my rock collection.” He flipped the lid to show me.

  “Man, you really love rocks.”

  “Yes, and I was very serious about it.”

  I picked up a shiny, jet-black one with cragged edges. Its facets glittered in the light.

  “That’s my favorite one,” he said. “It’s from Mount Vesuvius.”

  “You’re a closet nerd,” I announced.

  “Don’t tell anyone.”

  I let out a soft chuckle and set it down. Tucked into the corner of the box was a small square of paper towel, the ends yellowed just a bit. “What’s in here?”

  I went to pick it up, but Kieran’s fingers intercepted mine.

  “That’s very special,” he said.

  For a minute, I thought he was going to start stroking it and call it his precious.

  “Is it the diamond you found?”

  “Maybe.” He took the box from my hand and tucked the square of paper towel back inside of it.

  “Can I see it?”

  “No.”

  “Why?” I asked, my voice raising an octave.

  “Because I’m saving it.”

  “Saving it for what?”

  “I don’t know…stop being nosy, nosy.”

  I let out a disappointed sigh, which did nothing to change his mind. My fingers moved to a framed picture—two boys and a girl, still with the look of innocence on their faces.

  “That was our first trip to the Franklin Institute. They had a great exhibit on Mars that summer. I begged my parents to take me for months.” His stared focused on the picture, maybe getting lost in the memories it held.

  “This you?” I pointed to the green-eyed, freckle-face kid in the middle.

  “Yeah,” he said.

  “And your sister and brother?”

  “Yep.”

  “Who’s the eldest?”

  “Aiden was. Kelly is the middle.”

  “That leaves you as the baby.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “For all eternity, according to my parents.”

  “I think it’s kind of cute.”

  “It’s definitely not cute. More like overbearing.”

  I set the picture down and sat down on the bed.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  I looked up at him as he stood across from me. His suit jacket was unbuttoned, and his hands were in his pockets.

  “I’m sitting down on your bed.”

  “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to get up.” He took his hand out of his pocket and shook it up and down.

  “Why?”

  “Because we have a wedding to finish and having you on my bed is stirring up old teenage fantasies.” He reached for my hand and pulled me up.

  He held me close to his body, his hands running up my thighs, pulling up the hem of my dress. Our lips met, and I felt the warmth of his breath as he exhaled into me. He kissed me hard, pushing me back toward the bed.

  “Kieran,” I mumbled, his mouth still on mine. I braced my arm against the wall as his mouth traveled down my neck. “What are you doing?” I held my breath, summoning the strength t
o stop.

  “What do you think I’m doing?” He slid his hands farther up my dress.

  “Are you crazy? Your whole family is downstairs.”

  “So what?” he said into my ear. “I can be quick.”

  I laughed. “As tempting as that offer sounds, I’ll take a pass.”

  He deflated as I pulled back and adjusted my dress.

  “Always so willing to corrupt me,” I teased.

  “You’re so easily corrupted.” He brushed back my hair. “I want to show you something.”

  I glanced down at his pants, a sly smile on my face. “I’m pretty sure I’ve already seen it.”

  “Get your mind out of the gutter,” he replied. His green eyes softened, pulling me into a jade daze. “Do you think you can climb a few more steps?”

  Kieran walked to the corner of the room and tugged on a string that was attached to an overhead door, revealing another staircase. He held out his hand to me. “Lady’s first.”

  “Oh no. You’re going to get the view of a lifetime if I climb up those steps in this dress.”

  His lips turned up in a wicked smile. “Fine,” he replied after considering the thought. “Just watch your step in those shoes.”

  Kieran climbed up first with an agility that I admired. I grabbed a firm grip on either side of the steps. When he was at the top, he offered his hand to guide me up the rest of the way.

  “First woman you’ve brought to your room, and you lead her into a tiny, darkened attic.”

  Kieran practically lifted me the rest of the way, and I had to rest on my knees to fit in the small space.

  “This isn’t what I wanted to show you.” He pushed up on a small hatch door and lifted it to let in a flood of sunshine. A few more steps and we entered a round room, lined with windows. It was just big enough to sit down in without moving too much. You could see the enormity of the ocean; a small white boat dotted the blue water.

  My mouth hung open at the view. “This is incredible.” I’d noticed the cupola on the house when we first arrived. It didn’t look as high it felt at that moment.

  I sat down next to Kieran and tried to position myself in as ladylike position as possible.

  “I tried to fit my telescope up here once.”

  “To star gaze?”

  “Mostly to spy on the girls wearing bikinis on the beach, but yeah that, too.”

  I laughed and bumped shoulders with him. “Most charming, huh? Must have been a small school.”

  He smiled and scooted his knees close to his chest. The crease in his pants tightened near his thighs. “I used to spend a lot of time here when I was younger. It was a good place to get away from the racket happening downstairs.”

  “What did you use to do?”

  “Enjoy the view mostly. Do homework. Think.”

  “Think about what?”

  “Life. What it is was like at that particular moment. What it had in store.”

  “That’s some profound thinking for a teenager.”

  “I’ve always been very wise beyond my years.”

  We locked in a gaze, his lips pressed together as he studied my face. After a few minutes, the heat in the confined space became uncomfortable. I carefully climbed back down, hoping I didn’t twist an ankle negotiating the small steps in stilettos.

  We headed back downstairs where the bride and groom had returned. Kieran introduced me to his sister and her new husband, John. They took a few final pictures in the picturesque backyard and even convinced Kieran to join a few. I politely refused, but his mother insisted I join for one as well. Kieran locked hands with me as soon as the picture taking was through.

  The crowd at the house thinned as people headed to the reception hall. It was at a historic hotel not far from the house.

  “Do you want to walk?” I asked when we were back at the car.

  You could see the hall from where we stood.

  “In those shoes?” Kieran said.

  I took them off. “Problem solved.”

  We strolled to the reception hall, the ocean breeze blowing back my hair. We stopped at the corner of the road and waited for the light to turn.

  “Thank you for coming with me,” he said, pulling a piece of my wind whipped hair from my face. “I don’t think I would have come without you.”

  “I’m happy to be here with you,” I said, smiling.

  The ballroom of the hotel was covered in black and white tiles. The walls were Tiffany Blue and the fixtures were black with crystal accents. Kieran mentioned the building had been around since the early 1800s. It was completely romantic.

  It took a few minutes for Kieran to settle down his nervous eyes. He avoided talking to as many people as possible. We sat with his parents and a few aunts and uncles I’d already met. Once the room darkened and the music got loud, Kieran seemed to settle down. Dinner was so good; I was the one stealing bites from Kieran’s plate instead of the other way around.

  As the night went on, the bride and groom made their rounds at each table. They saved ours for last. Kieran’s new brother-in-law detached himself from his bride to join some groomsmen at the bar, while Kelly leaned in the space between my chair and Kieran’s.

  “How is everything?” she asked.

  It was a little hard to hear her over the band. I held a thumbs-up.

  “Are you happy to not be Kelly Keller anymore?” Kieran said with a smirk.

  “You have no idea. What the hell were Mom and Dad thinking?” She smiled. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said to Kieran. “I’m glad you’re here, too, Rose.”

  “Thank you for having me. Everything is beautiful,” I said.

  “Maybe you can convince my brother to come around more often.”

  “I come around often enough.”

  “We should get together soon,” she said to me. “It’s not often I meet one of Kieran’s girlfriends.”

  It was the first time the term came up. Kieran and I locked eyes, but he didn’t correct her, so neither did I.

  “Actually, I’ve never met any of Kieran’s girlfriends.”

  “That’s because I haven’t had a girlfriend since I was sixteen,” Kieran said.

  “You haven’t?” I asked, my eyebrows furrowed.

  Kieran took a sip from his drink. “Nope.”

  “What are you drinking tonight?” Kelly nodded toward Kieran’s glass.

  He picked it up. “Water.” It was definitely not water. Kieran had made plenty of trips to the bar, and I was still nursing my wine I ordered during the cocktail hour.

  She raised her eyebrows. “I hope you’re not planning to drive.”

  Kieran grimaced. “Yeah, actually, I was. But thanks for the suggestion.

  Kelly let out a sigh.

  “I already have the keys,” I said.

  She smiled again, but this time it barely made a dent in her face. “I hope you’re taking care of yourself, Kieran.”

  He took a sip of his drink. “Can we not do this now?”

  She hesitated but let it go. “Make sure you give me your number before you go, Rose. I’d love for us to become friends.”

  I smiled and nodded as she moved on down the table.

  The band played a slow song, and the dance floor filled with couples.

  Kieran leaned in close to my ear. “Want to dance with me?”

  “Can’t pass on that offer.”

  Kieran led me to the dance floor, the tips of our fingers clinging together. We landed right in the middle of the others dancing. Kieran pulled me in close, and I rested my head on his shoulder.

  “I thought I saw a tear fall during the ceremony,” he said.

  I pulled back to face him, his dark lashes rimming his eyes. This close, under the crystal lights, I could make out a faint freckle or two on the bridge of his nose.

  “Did not,” I said, holding back a smile.

  “Did to.”

  “Maybe one,” I replied. “I couldn’t help it. Weddings make me weepy.”

 
; “Don’t tell me you fall for this mushy stuff.”

  “What are you saying?” I asked. “You don’t ever see yourself getting married?”

  “I didn’t say that. Why? Do you?”

  “Sure,” I said. “Marriage. Kids. Happily ever after. Don’t most people?”

  “I hope to be so lucky.”

  He leaned in and kissed me. The music faded, and it felt like we were alone. I brushed my hand over the nape of his neck as I fell deeper into the sweet, soft kiss.

  “Me, too,” I replied.

  * * * *

  “Thank God,” Kieran said when we pulled into my driveway.

  “The wedding was beautiful.”

  “You’re beautiful.” He leaned over the armrest and kissed me before getting out. I grabbed my shoes from the backseat, not able to drive the hour trip with them on. Kieran met me on the porch, and I felt his lips on my neck as I tried to open the front door.

  “You’re making this harder than it should be,” I said, finally getting the key to turn.

  He followed close behind me as I walked into the house and tossed the keys on the kitchen table.

  Kieran plopped on the couch and slouched back with his legs wide apart. He loosened the tie around his neck and ripped it off. “My family is exhausting.”

  “I don’t think they’re so bad.” I walked into the bedroom to throw my shoes back in the closet. “You’re lucky you have so many cousins. I only had two, and I hardly talk to them now.”

  “Hang around for a while. You’ll see,” I heard him say from the living room. “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”

  “They seem to care about you a whole lot,” I said when I was back in the same room. “Don’t take that for granted.”

  I sat down next to him on the couch and yawned. Kieran wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pushed me closer.

  “My sister called you my girlfriend.”

  “I wonder where she got that idea from.”