Page 6 of In this Moment

Relieved, Evie turned her attention back to Scott, ordered some drinks and paid for their lunch. She got caught up in conversation with Scott while he filled their order and just as he handed her the tray with their lunch, Jonah appeared at her side again.

“I thought you were getting a table.” She nodded her thanks to Scott and turned to her son, who shrugged.

“I had to go to the bathroom and when I got back there were no tablesleft.”

Sure enough, Evie scanned the restaurant and all the tables were now occupied. Including the one she’d assumed Jonah was going to save for them. Seated there now was Maureen McCormick, whom she’d only met a few times before, and, with his back to her, one of the McCormick brothers.

Declan.

Despite the fact that all the brothers shared similarities, and from the back they could be difficult to tell apart, she had no doubt it was Declan because of the way her stomach flipped the moment her eyes landed onhim.

“Maybe we should just go eat lunch in the park by the beach?” Jonah looked disappointed, but they didn’t have a lot of options. “I’ll go get this in a bag.” She took the tray back to the counter and tried to get Scott’s attention again.

“Evie? Hi.”

Her heart stuttered a moment at the sound of Declan’s voice behindher.

“Hi, Declan.” That was all she could manage because at that moment Scott appeared. “I’ll have to get these to go after all, Scott. You have a busy place in here. There are no more tables.”

“You can sit with us,” Declan said. “It’s a table forfour.”

“Oh no,” she said. “I couldn’t impose likethat.”

“It’s no imposition.” Before she could object again, Declan took the tray fromher.

She glanced over to Scott, who only winked at her. “See?” he said. “There’s always room at Scott’s Stop. What can I get you and your mom, Declan?”

Evie waited a moment while Declan placed a quick order and then, with her tray still in hand, he led her over to their table.

When Declan had asked his mom for lunch, it was a twofold plan. He was happy to spend as much time with his mom as possible, especially because it was so nice to have her back at the lake, but after his conversation with Chelsea earlier that morning, he wanted to get her out and maybe have a chat with her about his half-sisters.

He certainly hadn’t planned to have Evie and her son join them, eliminating the possibility for a serious chat, but it was a nice distraction.

A very nice distraction.

Something about Evie Rose made Declan want to smile every time he saw her. She just had a way about her that radiated happiness, and it was catchy. Dec had never been so content before as he was in her presence. But there was something else, too.

An intense attraction.

She was incredibly beautiful, smart, sexy, funny and…a greatmom.

Which was exactly why Dec was going to keep his distance. He had nothing against kids. In fact, he quite liked them. And Jonah was an awesome kid. But Declan had no intention of ever getting involved in a serious relationship, and when it came to a single mom, the rules were different. They had tobe.

Which was why, as far as Evie went, no matter how attracted he was to her, nothing could ever happen between them. It wouldn’t befair.

But it sure was nice to sit across from her at the table.

“I’m really glad you joined us today, Evie,” Maureen said. “I’ve been meaning to get to your store. I keep hearing so many good things aboutit.”

“It’s awesome,” Jonah piped up between bites of sandwich. “You should see the dresses that just camein.”

Declan’s eyes widened and Evie laughed. “I’m afraid poor Jonah here knows way more about women’s fashion than an eight-year-old boy should. He’s been doing an excellent job helping me out at the store this summer.”

“I imagine it’s quite a lot of work to get a store up and running all on your own.” The more he learned about her, the more his admiration for the woman grew. “Especially so quickly.”

“Oh, it’s been okay.” She waved her hand, dismissing the idea. “And everyone in town has been so welcoming and supportive. I don’t think I could have had such a promising opening if it hadn’t been for such an awesome clientele. And, of course, my right-hand man.” She nudged Jonah, who glowed with his mom’s praise.

“It’s pretty good of you to be so helpful to your mom, buddy.” Declan raised his glass of water in a toast to Jonah.

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