A Coerced Engagement

‘He’s not,’ Eimile said. ‘Conor said a woman like me is best suited to be a fuck buddy. Not wife, not girlfriend, not even a mistress, because we’d have nothing to talk about outside the bedroom. He says I’ve got a temper.’ ‘As if he doesn’t.’ I huffed, indignant. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll talk to him, straighten him out.’ ‘Be my guest.’ ‘Do you want to give it a try?’ I held out the bottle of nail polish to her. ‘Pass. Too girlie for me.’ We chatted for a while more. Eimile left after having lunch with me. I texted Kieran, who would be away for another two days. But when a noise woke me up at night, I sensed, rather than saw, him in the bedroom. ‘Sorry, did I wake you?’ I fumbled for the switch on the bedside lamp. ‘Honey, I thought you wouldn’t be back till the day after tomorrow.’ He moved to the bed, kissed my forehead. His lips were cold. So were his hands. His eyes were bloodshot and filled with fatigue. ‘Caught the red-eye back. Dad called. Nana’s condition has gotten worse.’ ‘I’m sorr