I was still amazed that we had almost finished all the food on the table. Diarmid smiled as he led me back to the living room, leaving the others still lingering in the kitchen, laughing and chatting over the last few bites.

“Don’t tell me you prepared all of that,” I teased, throwing him a playful glare.

He chuckled softly, the sound deep and rich, as we stepped outside onto a small porch. The cool night air brushed against my skin, and I couldn’t help but take in the view before me. The vast field stretched out, illuminated just enough by the moonlight. From where we stood, I could see a basketball court in the distance, and a few scattered white chairs placed around what looked like a firepit.

"Maybe I did," he replied, still teasing, his lips curling into that mischievous smile. "Would that impress you?"

I smirked, rolling my eyes. “Maybe,” I said, playing along. “But I’d be more impressed if you did all the dishes too.”

He laughed, a sound that sent a little flutter through me. “I’m good, but not that good.”

As we walked a few steps away from the mansion, the scenery changed. A massive, sparkling pool suddenly came into view, its surface reflecting the dim glow of the soft lights scattered around the yard. It was breathtaking, the kind of pool you see only in luxurious resorts or fancy movies. The lighting was subtle, barely visible, as if it came from behind the carefully placed plants surrounding the area.

Diarmid gently guided me toward a nearby bench that overlooked the pool, and we sat down. The night was peaceful, the quiet broken only by the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. I could feel the weight of the evening settling in—warm and intimate, yet filled with an energy I couldn’t quite describe.

“This is beautiful,” I said softly, glancing over at him.

He tilted his head, watching me closely. “You haven’t seen anything yet,” he replied, his voice low and laced with something that made my pulse quicken.

The gentle breeze ruffled his damp hair, and I found myself wondering how he always seemed so composed, so effortlessly confident. There was something about him—something that felt both thrilling and dangerous. Yet here we were, sitting side by side in this quiet, perfect moment, as if the world had paused just for us.

“Thank you… for inviting me here. I don’t usually… get out like this,” I admitted, breaking the silence.

Diarmid’s gaze softened. “You belong here, Arwen. More than you know.”

I felt a warmth spreading through my chest at his words, the weight of them settling over me like a blanket. The way he said it, with that quiet conviction, made it feel like he wasn’t just talking about the evening, but something much deeper.

I glanced out at the pool, my thoughts drifting between the calm water and the man sitting next to me. “I don’t know what it is,” I began slowly, “but being here…it feels different.”

Diarmid didn’t reply right away, but when he did, his voice was soft, almost a whisper. “Maybe because it is different.”

Our eyes met, and in that moment, I felt something shift between us. Something unspoken, but undeniable.

I bit my lip, trying to steady myself under the weight of Diarmid's gaze. The intensity of his eyes made my heart race, and I couldn’t help but remember that afternoon in the library—the moment we had shared a kiss. My heart thudded faster in my chest, and I turned away, unsure if I was ready to talk about it. Shifting slightly, I looked anywhere but at him, trying to avoid the growing tension.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could still feel him watching me, his presence palpable, making it harder to focus.

“I want to thank you again… for what you did with Clayton,” I started, my voice barely a whisper. But the moment I mentioned Clayton’s name, I saw the change in Diarmid’s aura. His relaxed demeanor stiffened, and the playful warmth in his eyes darkened, replaced by something more protective, almost possessive.

“Anything for you,” he whispered, his voice low and intense. He looked away then, his jaw tightening. Without turning back to me, he added, “Is he… your ex-boyfriend?”

The question caught me off guard, and I froze. Ex-boyfriend? That was not where I expected this conversation to go. I let out a surprised chuckle, the laugh escaping before I could stop it. “No,” I said quickly, a small laugh still evident in my voice.

Diarmid’s eyes, however, were far from amused. His gaze shifted back to me, sharp and serious, cutting through the playful air I had tried to create. “Then who is he? And why did he act like that?” His voice held an edge now, his curiosity mingled with something deeper—concern, maybe even anger.

I could feel the weight of his question pressing down on me. My past, the part I’d tried so hard to bury, suddenly felt too close for comfort. The mention of Clayton was like a key to a locked door I wasn’t ready to open.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself, but even then, my heart clenched at the thought of bringing up Jaimes. It wasn’t just Clayton—there was so much more that Diarmid didn’t know. So much I hadn’t told anyone.

I looked away, feeling the familiar tightness in my chest as memories of Jaimes surfaced. He wasn’t someone I could easily explain. Not to Diarmid. Not to anyone.

“Clayton... he's someone who stirred up old memories,” I finally said, my voice quieter now, almost trembling. I gathered the strength to meet Diarmid’s eyes once again, knowing this wasn’t the full truth, but it was all I could manage right now.

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Diarmid’s gaze softened, his fierce protectiveness still simmering beneath the surface. He waited, sensing that there was more, but not pushing me further. His patience, in that moment, was a small relief.

I exhaled slowly, the tension in my chest loosening just a little. “It’s complicated,” I added quietly, hoping that would be enough to satisfy his curiosity for now.

"I understand," Diarmid said softly, offering me a gentle smile that caught me off guard. His expression had softened, the intensity in his eyes now replaced by warmth and understanding.

I stared at him for a moment, surprised by how easily he let it go. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips in return, grateful for the space he was giving me. It wasn’t often that someone could read me so well, knowing when to push and when to hold back.

We settled into a comfortable silence, the cool breeze of the night brushing against my skin. The quiet hum of the wind rustling through the trees filled the air, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to relax.

Diarmid sat beside me, his presence steady and calming. There was no need for words at that moment. The gentle rustle of leaves, the distant sound of waves from the shore, and the soft glow of the lights behind the plants created a peaceful atmosphere around us. It felt... safe. And his company felt grounding, like an anchor in the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.

As I gazed out at the vast field and the softly lit pool ahead, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of serenity. The world felt smaller, quieter, as though it was just the two of us sitting in this bubble of calm.

We decided to head back inside the mansion. As we entered, the sound of animated chatter filled the air from the living room, where Josh, Leroy, Brigit, Rhyian, Finn, and Roisin were still caught up in lively conversation. Josh noticed me first and subtly gestured toward his watch, silently signaling that it was time to go. I glanced down and saw it was almost midnight.

I turned to Diarmid, and sure enough, he had seen the exchange. He gave me a slight nod and walked ahead of me, disappearing around the corner. I assumed he was getting something, but a moment later, I saw him reemerge with his car keys in hand.

As I walked toward the group, Josh stood up and spoke, always ready to take the lead.

“Hey, you beautiful people! Dinner was amazing—seriously, thank you all so much! But it’s getting late, and we need to head out,” Josh said, smiling brightly.

Brigit, ever the one to push boundaries, immediately groaned in protest. “But we don’t have class tomorrow!” she whined, leaning forward dramatically as if the thought of us leaving was unbearable.

Roisin, lying lazily across the sofa, chimed in with a playful grin. “Let them go. They need to rest—especially Arwen. After everything she’s been through today, she needs some peace. Have a little mercy, Brigit.”

Brigit sighed, clearly torn between wanting us to stay and understanding that we all needed a break. Her expression softened as she glanced at me. “Fine, fine,” she relented with a mock pout. “But next time, no leaving early. Got it?”

I smiled at her, grateful for her understanding. “I promise,” I said, laughing softly.

Diarmid, who had remained quiet during the exchange, stepped forward then, catching my attention as he twirled the car keys in his hand. “I’ll take you home, Arwen,” he said, his voice calm but with an underlying insistence.

I blinked in surprise for a moment, but then I nodded. “Okay,” I agreed, a small smile tugging at my lips. I felt a strange mix of nerves and excitement at the thought of being alone with him again, especially after everything that had happened earlier.

Josh raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the situation, but didn’t say anything. Leroy, however, gave me a knowing look and winked before grabbing his things. “We’ll meet you outside,” he said, leading Josh toward the front door.

As the others gathered their stuff, I found myself standing next to Diarmid. He gently placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the door. His touch sent a familiar warmth through me, and I couldn’t help but feel my heart quicken.

Once we were outside, the cool night air hit my skin, refreshing and grounding. Josh and Leroy were already walking toward their car, waving goodbye. “Give the direction in my place Arwen, I will drop by Leroy first” Josh called out.

“Will do!” I shouted back.

Diarmid opened the passenger door for me, and I slid into the car, the leather seats cool beneath me. As he got in and started the engine, I glanced over at him, my mind drifting back to the kiss we had shared in the library. My stomach fluttered at the thought, but I quickly turned my gaze out the window, not sure if I was ready to bring it up just yet.

The drive was quiet at first, the low hum of the car's engine the only sound between us. After a few moments, Diarmid finally broke the silence. “It was good to see you smile tonight,” he said, his voice soft, almost as if he was thinking out loud.

I glanced at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. “Thank you,” I replied, feeling my cheeks warm. “It was a good night. Despite… everything.”

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the road. “I meant what I said earlier. Anything for you,” he added, his voice lower now, filled with meaning.

For a second, I didn’t know how to respond. The weight of his words hung in the air between us, heavy but not uncomfortable. I bit my lip, turning my gaze back out the window, the memories of the night—Clayton, the kiss, and everything in between—swirling in my mind.

Eventually, we pulled up in front of Joshua’s place. Diarmid parked the car, and for a moment, neither of us moved. The quiet between us felt charged, like there were so many things left unsaid.

“Thanks for the ride,” I said softly, my hand resting on the door handle.

Diarmid turned to face me, his intense blue eyes locking onto mine. “Anytime, Arwen. I meant that.” His voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of something more in it—something deeper.

Diarmid stepped out of the car first, walking around to open the door for me. I smiled softly at the gesture, grateful for his thoughtfulness. As I got out, he stood close, his presence warm and reassuring in the cool night air. I looked up at him, ready to say goodnight, but before I could speak, he leaned in and pressed a soft, chaste kiss to my forehead.

The simple touch sent a surge of warmth through me, and I found myself momentarily frozen, caught in the tenderness of the moment. His lips lingered for just a second before he pulled back, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my heart race even faster.

“Goodnight, Arwen,” he whispered, his voice low and filled with something unspoken.

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions swirl inside me. “Goodnight, Diarmid,” I whispered back, my voice barely audible.

As I turned and walked toward the entrance of Josh’s place, I could still feel the ghost of his kiss on my skin. Before stepping inside, I glanced back, catching his gaze one last time. He stood there, watching me, his expression unreadable but unmistakably focused on me. The night had left me with more questions than answers, but one thing was clear: Diarmid was becoming more than just a passing presence in my life, and the realization both thrilled and unnerved me.