Page 84 of Scorched

Chapter 15

With a groan, Declan dropped into a chair on the edge of the dance floor. Maggie ran off with her sister to help Tara use the restroom in her cumbersome wedding dress. He was taking full advantage of her absence to sit for a few minutes. All the activity made his ribs ache. Plus, he was dog-tired. He and Maggie didn’t drop off to sleep until nearly four. They were up at six to finish prepping.

A soft smile spread over his face as he thought about the night before. He would have gladly gone with no sleep for sex with Maggie. What they shared was intense. Mind-blowingly wonderful. And scary. He wanted it all with her, but he still felt inadequate. She was amazing. Smart, funny, sexy, kind—she ticked all the boxes for everything he wanted in a woman. But digging into his family’s past made him feel like trash next to her. He prayed she meant what she said about it not mattering. He was past the point of being able to walk away.

A beer appeared in front of his face, startling him from his musings. He looked up to see Jenny.

She smiled. “You looked thirsty.”

“Thanks.” He took the bottle and put it to his mouth, gulping down some of the cool liquid. Despite the cool temps, he was a little warm from dancing in a suit.

“This shindig turned out pretty well,” she said, sitting down next to him and taking a drink of her own beer. “It helps we have great music.” She nodded toward the stage. “I still can’t believe Brady got Knox to talk Asa Mitchell into performing.”

Declan was surprised, too, when he saw the country superstar getting out of an SUV with Knox earlier. He knew the man was friends with both Knox and Brady because of ranch business, but he didn’t know they were that close. “Me too, but I’m glad, though. Tara was really surprised and pleased he was willing to sing at her wedding. I also think Brady might regret the decision to ask him.” He motioned to where Asa now stood with Macy, deep in conversation. He’d stepped off the stage and let Abigail’s boyfriend Trent and his band take over for a few minutes. Brady stood ten feet away, glaring at Macy as she laughed at something Asa said.

A broad smile split Jenny’s face. “Well, well, well. The plot thickens. He does look rather perturbed that she’s talking to him, doesn’t he?”

“The funny thing is, he has nothing to worry about.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If he’d get his head out of his ass, he’d realize she only has eyes for him. I’m waiting for her to tire of him ignoring her and confront him.” He was surprised she hadn’t already. Especially since shy Maggie had done that exact thing with him.

“What’s wrong?”

He frowned and looked at her. “What do you mean?”

“You have something on your mind. I can see it. Your face clouded over all of a sudden. What’s wrong?”

Declan opened his mouth, then shut it, unsure how to phrase the thoughts running through his head. “I’m sure you’ve noticed Maggie and I have… something going on.”

She nodded, smiling. “I have. I think it’s wonderful.”

“You do?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Maggie said the same thing.”

“I’m not following.”

He sighed. “We’ve been circling each other since June. When she moved in to help me, it brought it all to a head. I didn’t want to get involved because my past could hurt her future.”

“That’s a load of horseshit.”

Declan barked a laugh, then held up a hand. “Sorry. I see Tara and Maggie come by their attitudes honestly.”

A sardonic tilt lifted a corner of Jenny’s mouth. “That’s quite likely, yes. But don’t try to change the subject. Maggie doesn’t care about your past. And if she does, she and I need to have a chat.”

“She says she doesn’t, but I’m not worried what she thinks so much as how it will harm her reputation. I know she wants to run for office. Having me around could hinder her chances of getting elected. She said if that’s the case, it won’t bother her, but I’m not so sure. I guess what’s really bothering me is how to get past it. I want to be part of her life, but I don’t want to get in the way of her dreams.”

“Declan,” she covered his hand with hers, “does she make you happy?”

“Yes.” That was a no-brainer. His entire life was brighter with her in it.

“Do you make her happy?”

“I think so.”

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