Page 78 of Feel Me

“It was nothing,” I assure her.

She quirks a brow. “Really? Didn’t seem like nothing by the way he was feeling you up.”

“He wasn’t feeling me up.” Much. He did, however, make it clear what he wanted.

“Feeling you up, groping, copping a feel. It’s all the same thing,” she says dismissively. “Anyway, how’d you hook up with a rep, especially that one? Wasn’t he engaged to Miss Pennsylvania or something?”

I sigh. “Working where I work I meet a lot of high ranking officials. Most are older, or at least old enough to be married and settled. Trevor wasn’t.” I think about it. “I’d heard something about him dating Miss Pennsylvania, but I wasn’t aware he was engaged.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “At least I hope not.” God, the press would be all over it.

The more I think things through, the more I’m reminded Trevor wouldn’t do that. Like most political players, he keeps his indiscretions private. Most likely they’d ended their engagement before I came along.

“So you didn’t sleep with him?” she asks.

I can’t blame her for being confused. Trevor is almost as handsome and dashing as Declan.

Almost.

“We did share a night,” I confess, grimacing when I realize that’s not entirely true. “Okay, a few nights. But we never dated. It wasn’t anything serious.”

“Not like it is with you and my brother?” she asks.

“No, nothing like that,” I add quietly. At least it’s not for me. I’d missed Declan so much. Every free moment of time was occupied with thoughts of him, his smile, the way he listens to me as if only my opinion matters, and the way we made love.

Was I naïve to think he’d missed me, too?

I thought I was the only one lost without us, until he kissed me in the office. I returned his affections without hesitation, just like I allowed him to strip me of my clothes in the limo.

Wren shakes her head. “Holy Mother, I’ve never seen Declan like that.”

“You mean angry enough to physically assault someone?” I shudder, remembering how he seemed seconds from taking a swing. “Neither have I.”

She bats her hand. “Oh, no. I’ve seen him riled enough to throw down. Don’t forget, he’s a Philly boy. I meant jealous. He was ready to bust an artery when he saw Trevor trying to kiss you.” She laughs. “Or bust Trevor’s head open.”

I cover my mouth. “He saw that?”

“Girl, we all did.” She takes a swig of her champagne. “He was talking to us about the endorsement when his attention veered off. We didn’t realize what was happening until we saw Trev making the moves on you and you walking away. Where were you going anyway? One minute you were right next to us, the next, you were halfway to the dance floor.”

“I didn’t want to intrude on your moment,” I say.

She tilts her head like she doesn’t completely believe me even though it’s partly true. “You didn’t know we broke up, did you?” I ask.

She lowers her empty glass onto her lap, no longer smiling. “When?”

“Thanksgiving night.” I don’t mean to say as much as I do, this is Declan’s sister I’m speaking to, after all. But it’s like I need to, having kept so much in. “When we went back to his apartment.”

“Because he was being a prick?” she offers.

“After the way he behaved at dinner, I didn’t want to spend the night,” I explain. “I didn’t expect us to break up, and thought we just needed space. But we had a fight and he told me he never planned on things getting serious.”

Wren plays with her glass, her attention on the rich stone tile lining the floor. I’m not sure she’s listening until she looks up. “That’s because he’s never believed in love.”

My stare falls to my hands. “I know. He told me.”

I lift my chin when she places her hand on my shoulder. “But I think he does when it comes to you.”

My eyes well and I have to blink back my tears. “He told me that, too,” I whisper.

“So you both walked away during a time you needed each other most?” She lifts the glass of champagne out of my hand and switches it out with her empty, taking a long sip. “How did that work out for you?”

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