Page 62 of Scorched

“Thanks.”

One of the staff members called their order number.

“That’s us.” Declan motioned to the counter. “It was good to see you Lilah.”

“You too.” He took Maggie’s hand and led her around his ex.

Maggie smiled and waved.

“What the hell was that all about,” she hissed when they were out of earshot.

“Sorry. I could see on her face she was gearing up to ask me to call her. Telling her you’re my fiancée is easier on both of us than me outright rejecting her. She gets to save face, and I don’t have to have an uncomfortable conversation about why I don’t want to date her again.”

“Chicken.”

“No, pragmatic. Why should I cause her embarrassment by telling her I’m not interested? Trust me, if she was given a choice, she would prefer to think I’m engaged than that I don’t want her. She’s a narcissist, remember?” He reached for the tray on the counter, picking it up.

“Still, you lied. We’re not even together, let alone engaged.”

“Aren’t we? Together, I mean?”

Heat spread throughout Maggie’s body as he stared down at her, desire turning his eyes an even deeper indigo. She licked her lips. “I have no idea what we are.”

His mouth flattened. “Me, either.” He started toward a table by the window. “We never did have that conversation about where we stood.”

She glanced around, her gaze landing briefly on Lilah, who had her back to them as she ordered. “And you think now is the right time?”

He shrugged and slid her bowl of soup and a small baguette of bread toward her. She pulled it closer and dipped her spoon into the soup.

“Do we even need to have one? I think the fire between us speaks for itself. Though, I’m not sure you want to be associated with me.”

Her spoon paused on its way to her mouth. “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t I?”

He stirred his soup, looking down as he answered. He looked uncomfortable, but she didn’t know why he would be. Declan was one of the most confident men she’d ever met.

“Well, for one, I was accused of murder. Even though I was cleared, people still look at me differently. You’re a criminal attorney. And you were my attorney. Think how that looks to your colleagues.”

She scoffed. “It’s a small town, and considering who the real culprit was, and everything that’s happened since then, I think you can rest easy about all that. Next argument.”

He sighed. “Okay. What about my family? Both my parents were junkies. My mother was just murdered, my dad’s in the wind after his release from prison—I don’t exactly come from good stock.”

She dropped her spoon in her bowl and sat back, anger churning in her gut. “So, you think I wouldn’t want to be your girlfriend or whatever because your parents suck? Deck, I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about your family. Where you come from doesn’t matter. All that does is the person you are now, and you’re a good man.” She picked up her spoon and took another bite. “Where is all this coming from, anyway?” she asked after she swallowed. “You’ve never lacked confidence before.”

He took a bite of his sandwich, thinking as he chewed. “We’ve already established I don’t date much. But when I do, it’s because I really like a woman.” He caught her gaze, holding it. “I’ve never liked a woman as much as I like you. I want to be someone you can be proud of.”

Maggie’s heart faltered. That was so sweet! She reached out to cover his free hand. “You already are.” He stared back at her, uncertainty on his handsome face. She sighed. “This is going to take some convincing, I see.”

He gave her a rueful smile. “I’m trying, Maggie. I really am, but where we come from has an impact. On others and on ourselves. I thought I was past my lousy parentage, but Mom’s death and Dad’s infidelity and repeated criminal offenses have brought it all back. What we have is explosive and promises to be amazing, but—” he broke off and stared into his soup again. “I don’t want to drag you down.”

She uttered a soft growl, sitting back. “I won’t let it.”

He shrugged. “It’s not up to you. I know you have aspirations to run for public office someday. What would having me for a husband do to those?”

“Make people love me more. They’ll see you as someone who rose above an awful beginning to be an amazing man.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. Why was he refusing to see things her way?

“Or they’ll see me as someone trying to ride your coattails to a better life.”

“Now you’re just being ridiculous.”

“No, I’m not. How many times do you see political candidates losing races because their spouses weren’t up to snuff?”

She frowned. “So? Declan, holding public office is a goal, yes, but I’d rather be happy in my personal life. A job can’t keep me warm at night or cheer me up when I’m sad.” When he continued to sit there, stoic, she sighed. “Just promise me you’ll think about it, okay?”

He made eye contact with her again. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Not giving us a chance will hurt more than losing an election.” She picked up her spoon once more, knowing she’d said all she could. He would have to decide on his own if he thought they were worth pursuing.

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