Page 83 of His to Protect

His eyes lifted and he watched Kate as she walked away. We hadn’t heard anything more from Kevin in the last week, and Tyson had been calling in favors as much as he could. But considering who Kevin was, and who his dad was, Tyson had to be particularly careful not to arouse any more suspicion than necessary. However, the fact that Kevin hadn’t shown up made me hope that he couldn’t find me. I also hoped he wouldn’t be able to find me before I filed divorce papers, which I was planning on doing early next week.

It was time to stop hiding and start moving on with my life.

“She’s opening a bakery next month and has had some problems with the people currently doing her marketing. She wants to talk to me about ideas. Chelsea talked to her earlier today.”

“Sounds like a great opportunity.”

I shrugged in his embrace. “It could be fun, but I’m not looking to do anything. It’s not like I really can right now, anyway.”

“Maybe not now.” He pulled back and ran his hand through my hair, pushing it off my shoulder and down my back. “But maybe like Jorge with his photography, it could be a good way for you to get some clients if you do decide to go that route once you’re settled.”

A frown twisted my lips. I liked working with Declan in the office and on the floor when I was needed.

I liked waking up with him, spending my day with him, and then going to bed next to him. But maybe he didn’t feel the same. Maybe he wanted some distance between us. Which made sense.

Just over a month ago, we were strangers. Now we were together practically every hour of every day.

“Maybe,” I muttered, feeling a bit deflated as I considered this possibility.

Declan reached out and cupped my cheeks with his palms, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Why are you frowning?”

I opted for honesty. Declan liked it when I was upfront with what I wanted—in bed and out of it. “I’ve been having fun being here with you and helping you.”

A puff of breath left his lips and he gripped me more firmly before pressing his lips to mine. “How is it possible,” he said when he pulled back, “that you keep getting more perfect for me, every single day?”

I smiled before I realize I was doing it. Those flutters that tended to hit my stomach when Declan was around were alive and strong.

“I want you to do what you want, honey, regardless of what that is. You want to stay at Fireside, build this with me, I want that. You want to spread your wings and do your own thing. I’ve got your back one hundred percent. This is your time to figure out you…we’ll figure out us together.”

I was left breathless, but not incapable of moving, so I rolled to my toes and kissed him, showing Declan how much I appreciated not only his faith in me, but in whatever we were building. “Same goes for you, Declan. I’ve got your back, always.”

“Good.” He pulled back and wrapped his hand around mine and pulled me inside. “Now let’s get you inside and away from all these men who have been drooling over you all morning long. They stick around here much longer and I might end up on the front page of the news in a way that wouldn’t be good publicity for Fireside.”

I snickered at his deep, irritated voice and followed him inside.

—

A breath escaped me as I walked into Fireside Grill with Declan behind me.

A warmth I had never felt before permeated me, spreading throughout my body as I looked at the small crowd of people at the bar, all welcoming me with warm, friendly smiles.

I shivered from the sudden heat in my body.

“You okay?” Declan asked, his hand firm on my lower back.

I peeled my eyes off the people at the bar and looked up at Declan while he guided me forward, a deep line between his brows. Then I looked back at everyone who’d been around for most of the day.

Tyson and Blue were standing in the center. To Tyson’s left, I saw Aidan and Derrick, and to Blue’s right, a small circle of women—Chelsea and Camden, along with Paige. Suzanne had to spend the afternoon with her husband’s family celebrating his parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary, but even without really knowing Suzanne, I knew that had she been able to make it, she would have been here completing my new group of friends.

Unshed tears glistened in my eyes as I inhaled a shaky breath before expelling it slowly.

I’d never had this.

I’d never had friends who would spend an entire day doing nothing but hanging out and being supportive. And, yeah, I knew Paige was here for the man candy, Camden probably because they dragged her along, and Chelsea because she was super sweet and kind. And the men were here for Declan, their friend for several years, but the other reasons didn’t matter.

What mattered was that they were here. Supporting him. Supporting me.

I’d never felt anything so beautiful.

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