Page 35 of Black Lace

My heart leaps to my throat and I answer it, dreading to hear what she has to say in case it’s bad news. “Hey, Tiff.”

“I love you, Declan McLean. Please come see me as soon as you can.”

Every ounce of doubt and worry is washed away in an instant. The words are a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

“Oh, god. I was so worried you were calling to tell me you were back together with Ben.”

“Of course, not. I just needed the space to end it without either of you ending up with an assault charge,” she teases me with a beautiful laugh.

I laugh as well, unable to believe that I could ever think there would be a chance she wasn’t as committed to this relationship as I am. “Okay, that’s fair enough. I’ll come right around.”

We end the call and Daisy smiles at me, saying immediately, “Well, that sounds positive.”

“It was,” I assure her, then laugh again. “She told me she just wanted to clear things up with Ben without there being an assault charge. I’m going to go see her now.”

Daisy grins at me. “She’s a smart woman. You’re a thousand times the man Ben is. Not that I’m biased or anything.”

“Of course you aren’t.”

I’m so grateful to have her support and I feel like I’mflying because of the knowledge that Tiffany wants to be with me.

I love you, Declan McLean.

Words that for the longest time I couldn’t have even imagined Tiffany Carter would ever say to me. Now I know them to be true down to the very core of my being.

I make my way to her apartment on cloud nine. Today is the first day of the rest of my life.

CHAPTER 18

THE BEGINNING

(TIFFANY)

The second Benhas left my apartment, I pick up my phone and dial Dec’s number. Butterflies are flying around in my stomach, and my heart is pounding in my chest as I wait for him to answer.

“Hey, Tiff.” Dec sounds wary when he answers the phone.

“I love you, Declan McLean.” I can’t leave him thinking this might not be the case for even a second longer. “Please come see me as soon as you can.”

“Oh, god. I was so worried you were calling to tell me you were back together with Ben.” The relief is evident in his tone of voice, and I hate that he thought that.

“Of course, not. I just needed the space to end it without either of you ending up with an assault charge,” I laugh.

Dec’s laugh is low and rumbly, and it’s sexy as hell. “Okay, that’s fair enough. I’ll come right around.”

We end the call, and I resist the urge to tell the group chat about everything that’s happened. I want to confirm with Dec before I say anything, but I do want to do it soon because I’m not sure what Ben will tell any of our friends to whom he speaks.

I start emptying my suitcase while I wait for Dec to arrive. When I finish, I head back out to the sofa to wait for him, and I send a message to my sisters.

Tiffany Carter: So, Benjamin and I are through. I want you guys to be the first to know. Declan and I are together now.

A sizzle of excitement runs through my body as I type it out. It actually feels real to be telling people. It’s not just some secret dirty weekend we’ve had. We’re a real couple.

My phone starts ringing with a video call from the chat, and I laugh as Crystal appears on the screen, along with Jasmine, who joins the call a second later.

“Yes, sisters? Is there something you want to know?” I ask with an innocent smile on my face.

“Um, what the fuck?!” Jasmine asks, with a look of pure shock on her face.

---