Page 32 of Taking A Chance

“You don’t seem like you want me to,” he says.

He’s right, but I don’t want to tell him that. I can’t explain why. Hell, I don’t even know myself.

“Well, you want to tag along instead?” I ask.

“Yeah, sure. They’re nice, but I’m sure watching them make out all weekend will get old.” He laughs. “I don’t have any new paintings started. It might be refreshing to step away from the studio for a little while.”

“Well, okay. Actually, that would be nice,” I say. “Do you want to come to brunch with us in the morning?”

Declan’s black shadowy figure grows tall as he stands and moves toward the edge of his balcony. His face comes into light, cast from the streetlamps, and the first thing I notice is his toothy smile.

He leans into the railing, rubbing his palm over the five o’clock shadow on his jaw. “What time?”

“We were going to leave at about ten,” I say, swallowing the sudden lump formed in my throat.Am I nervous? Is that what’s happening here?

“Then I guess I’ll see you then,” he says. “Goodnight. Again.”

My lips curl up and I fight to suppress the smile that wants to emerge. I nod as he disappears into his apartment. The glass door slides shut, there’s a click, and then he’s gone.

This is the second time I’ve been left, staring at a door, and wondering why the hell I’m filled with both elation and disappointment.

20

Cora

I’ve beenawake for hours. No amount of wine was going to help me sleep last night. Not even switching to chamomile tea helped. The idea was to sleep in, lazily go to brunch, and drink my weight in mimosas. Not be too tired to even want to go. Plus, Declan’s coming now, so here I am in my bathroom, attempting to conceal the bags under my eyes and praying no one says the cursedyou look tiredto me.

“Ready to go, sis?” Jensen yells from somewhere near the living area, probably looking pristine as always. I hate to say it, but maybe Harper hasn’t hit the glowing phase of pregnancy yet, and I’ll look less tired by comparison.

I set my makeup sponge down as I examine myself in the mirror and resolve to the fact that this is the best I can do given the circumstances.

Of course, Harper’s a fucking vision when I walk out. Does she even walk or does she have a hoverboard under that dress? I swear to god, she’s floating. Her blonde hair falls across her shoulders in soft waves and I want to poke my eyes out. I mean, I really love my sister-in-law. I do. I do, I do, I do. But also, can a girl get a break?

“Are you okay?” Harper asks, interrupting my self-loathing. “You look—”

“Don’t say it.” I hold my hand up. “Just don’t.”

“Okay. Well, let’s get you a mimosa then, shall we?” Harper points over her shoulder to the door using a hitchhiker thumb, and I nod.

I thought this was going to be a very casual thing, so now I get to stand next to the pageant queen in her flowing maxi while wearing my workout leggings, a loose sweatshirt, and Vans sneakers. So that’s fun.

Opening my door, I jump back abruptly, met by Declan. He’s standing right in front of my door, his hand up like he was about to knock. In his other hand, he grips a bouquet of pink peonies.

“Jesus, you scared me,” I say, clutching the strap of my purse across my chest.

“I’m sorry.” He laughs. “I just wanted to give these to you. I didn’t want to do it downstairs, so you could leave them here.”

I examine his outstretched arm, the fragrance of the flowers lingering in the small space between us. “Oh, thank you.”

Declan nods, first at me and then past me, where Jensen and Harper are standing.

I back into the apartment and grab a vase, quickly. From the corner of my eye, Declan takes one step across the threshold into my space. For whatever reason, I find this nerve wracking.

“Nice move, man,” Jensen says, his attempt to whisper out of my earshot a big fat failure.

I roll my eyes. Isn’t he supposed to be more protective of me? Isn’t he supposed to dislike who I date and give them a hard time?Wait. Oh my god, did I just say date?What the fucking fuck.Freudian slip?No, no.Just, by appearance, I mean. You’d think Jensen would be asking him his intentions or something.

“Okay, let’s go,” I say, peeling out of the door and pointing down the hallway. I lock the door after everyone exits and we make our way downstairs. Jensen and Harper lead the pack and with Declan by my side, we’re bringing up the rear once again. Strange, considering we’re the locals and they’re visiting.

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