Page 55 of In this Moment

Chapter Fourteen

Once again waking up in Declan’s arms, Evie snuggled in and pretended it was her real life. The night before had been so perfect. After his surprise seduction in the kitchen and her equally surprising reaction to it, they’d cuddled on the couch to watch the latest romantic comedy that Declan had queued up and eaten that delicious popcorn he’d prepared.

Just forher.

It was like everything else he did. It was just forher.

The last few weeks had been like something out of a romance novel for Evie. She wasn’t used to having someone be so attentive and considerate of her and her feelings. Never mind her son. That was a totally different thing—the way that Declan put Jonah first and made sure he was not only taken care of, but happy.

It was exactly what a father shoulddo.

He’s not Jonah’s father.

It didn’t matter how much Evie wished it was true, and she had. More than once in the last twenty-four hours, she’d wished that Declan McCormick was Jonah’s father and it was Declan, not Tony, who’d made the proposition to be a family.

A real family.

Evie bit back a sob and snuggled closer onto Declan’s chest.

How was it that something that felt so real could be fake? It wasn’t fair. The last few weeks with Declan had been the closest she’d ever had to a real relationship, and it wouldn’tlast.

I will not cry. I will notcry.

She swallowed hard and forced herself to harden up. It didn’t matter how she felt. A relationship took two people. Two people who loved each other. And not just for pretend. Forreal.

Even if she had those feelings, it wasn’t enough.

It would never be enough.

Besides that, Declan had a whole foundation to look after. Hell, he was in charge of saving lives, for goodness’ sake. Thousands of lives. The last thing he needed to worry about was poor Evie Rose and her son. Not when he had real work to do. He was just being nice, and according to the conversation she’d overheard, counting down the days until he could be done with the thing he was dealing with and could moveon.

She needed to tell him the truth. She needed to steel herself, and be honest with him. It was the right thing todo.

Evie took one last deep inhale, trying to memorize his scent in her memory bank. Whatever else happened in her life—with Tony or anyone else—she would always have the memories of her time with Declan. And she had a feeling those memories might have to get her through more than one lonely night.

And then she slipped out ofbed.

Declan slept in. He never slept in, but then again, he was usually so preoccupied with work and the foundation that his mind was always racing with a million things he had to do. With Evie, he was incredibly relaxed. In fact, not since he was a kid had he ever been so relaxed. It was Evie who did that to him. Her influence was incredibly calming. With her, he was just…satisfied.

In everyway.

Despite the temptation to lie in bed and reflect on the night before and the incredible sex they’d had, he did have to get up. Besides, Evie’s side of the bed was cold, and once he glanced at the clock, he was certain that if she wasn’t already at the shop, she would besoon.

Maybe he would surprise her with a coffee and a cinnamon bun? Yes, that was a great idea. He loved doing things that made her smile.

He’d happily make her smile for the rest of their lives.

He just needed to tell herthat.

And that’s exactly what he was going todo.

Sure enough, after a quick shower and change, Declan emerged from the bedroom to find a note that Evie was at the store and Jonah was out playing with Brandon again.

It was funny how such a simple thing like a note left to inform him of what was going on sent joy through him. Never would he have guessed that he would be excited about such a small domestic thing. But he was. And he likedit.

Declan made the mistake of checking his phone before leaving the house. There was a message fromCal.

You said you were going to talk to Mom about the condo. Milena needs an answer. Soon.

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