Page 132 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

“Can you please share?” he asks. “I mean, if you’re comfortable with that.”

“Yeah, um…I just realized that with a mask on, no one knows who you are. You can finally enjoy a night without everyone bombarding you.”

Declan smiles and nods. “I was looking forward to this night for that very reason. I just wondered if I’d have someone special to share it with.”

His eyes are so intense and hold so many emotions that I drop my gaze to his chest. Declan presses his cheek to mine and continues to sway to the soft music.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“For what?”

“For the way I’ve been treating you the past few days. I just—”

“You don’t have to explain, Mia—”

“You have to quit being so nice and understating to me, Dec—I mean, super sexy guy with a black and gold mask. I don’t deserve any of it.”

“Of course you do.”

I shake my head and look into his eyes. “I’ve been so horrible to you.”

He strokes my cheek beneath my mask. “You can never be horrible to me.”

“But I’ve been ignoring you since the…the…”

“I know,” he says gently. “I understand. I’ve been…well, it’s been messing with me, too.”

I stare into his eyes. “It has?” I whisper.

He lowers his hand from my cheek and wraps it around my waist. Drawing me even closer to his body until we’re basically fused together, he murmurs in my ear, “It’s not just the kiss. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you for a long time now.”

I go still. He’s been thinking about me?

“You’re not…you don’t think I’m a loser?” I ask.

“Why would I think you’re a loser?”

“Because of the way I reacted after…”

“I’d never think you’re a loser, Mia Park. I think you’re one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I only wish you weren’t wearing a mask so I could see your face.”

“The same with me,” I say as I finger the bottom of his mask. “But all hell will break loose and we’ll be pulverized by HartHeads.”

Declan chuckles, and I can feel it rumbling through him. “I love how funny you are.”

“I…um…I…”

He laughs again and presses his cheek to mine. We continue to sway to the beat of the music, and my heart feels like it might catapult out of my chest. But there’s also a sense of calm that takes over me. Like right here, right now, is the way it’s supposed to be. I don’t think I’d want to be here with anyone else.

I catch sight of Rylee and Zoey gaping at me as they sway with their guys, wondering who this mystery guy is. I mouth “Declan” to them, and they beam.

“I’ve dreamed of dancing at the masquerade ball, too,” I tell Declan in a low voice. “With a guy, I mean. But I didn’t think it would happen because no one ever seems interested in me.”

“I’m here,” he murmurs in my ear. “And I’m so glad to make your dreams come true.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Declan

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