“Excuse me for a moment,” I say, then I stand and retreat to the bedroom to change into something better than one of Artem’s ragged t-shirts and splash some cold water on my face.
I come back out a few minutes later feeling more composed. But I stop at the edge of the hallway and listen when I hear Cillian saying my name.
“… you look so f*****g happy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this. Am I right in guessing this has everything to do with Esme?”
I hold my breath for Artem’s answer.
“I feel like I’m under her f*****g spell, Cillian,” Artem replies. “This girl… It was meant to be a political marriage, but it’s turned into a real one.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Cillian agrees. “The two of you look like a f*****g picture-perfect couple.”
“There’s no such thing,” Artem says careful
