Page 51 of Declan

Jeanne and I are finishing up our shift at her family’s boutique. It’s not the most thrilling job in the world, but being surrounded by beautiful clothes every day? I can’t complain. Especially considering that if I didn’t work here, I couldn’t afford half of them. Perks of the job, I guess.

“Are you coming home tonight, or is the mystery man still in the picture?” Jeanne asks as we gather our things from the back.

I glance at her, already expecting her playful smirk, but she looks a little too curious.

“I’m having dinner with Wesley tonight, actually.”

She freezes, hand suspended midair as she reaches for her purse. Her reaction is subtle, but I’ve known her long enough to catch it. I narrow my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

She recovers quickly, spinning toward me with a smile so big it almost looks real. Almost.

“Nothing,” she says too cheerfully.

“Right,” I mutter, grabbing my bag and following her out.

“Where are you guys going?”

I shrug, digging in my purse for my phone. “No clue. I haven’t talked to him since I left Twisted Souls last night.”

Her steps falter slightly. “Oh, so these are plans you already had.”

It’s a casual statement, but there’s something tight about her tone. I should be more curious about her weird vibe, but I see a missed text and I instantly forget about Jeanne.

Declan:Heads up, Wesley wants me to join you guys for dinner tonight.

Two minutes later.

Declan:Delete this message.

I blink at the screen,my pulse picking up. Seriously? Does he actually think Wesley is going to snatch my phone and scroll through our texts like an overprotective dad?

I roll my eyes and shove it back in my purse, trying to ignore the sting behind the absurd request.

“Did you hear me?” Jeanne asks.

“Sorry, what?”

She shakes her head, brushing off my distraction as we continue walking. We don’t live far from the store. Another perk, thanks to Jeanne’s parents. They found the place for us, though we cover the rent ourselves.

“I asked if this dinner is about your mystery man.”

I let out a noise of frustration and shake my head. “Stop calling him that.”

“Well, you told me you had the best sex of your life last night, but you won’t even tell me his name. What should I call him, huh?”

She’s not wrong. I was glowing today like I’d just been reborn, and I didn’t even try to hide it. Declan had wrecked me in the best way, and I couldn’t stop smiling. Until his message. Now, I feel annoyed, wondering how he’s going to act at dinner. If he’s going to pretend like none of it happened.

“I’m sorry,” I finally say. “It’s just complicated. I’m not ready to talk about it yet.”

She’s quiet for a moment. Then she stops dead in her tracks, eyes wide with sudden realization. “Oh my God. It’s Declan!”

“What?” My voice pitches too high, and I whip my head around to face her.

“You never keep secrets from me, only Wesley. You came in glowing, happy, like someone who just had their entire world rocked. You said it was the best sex of your life. Then you said it’s confusing.” She laughs, grabbing my arm. “I knew it. I’m right, aren’t I?”

I open my mouth to deny it, but I can’t. I don’t want to. Not to her. I’m going to be sitting at dinner tonight, lying to both of them, and I don’t have it in me to lie right now.

“You’re right,” I whisper.

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