Page 23 of Stealing Forever

We’re opposites in every way.

The next several minutes are spent gaslighting myself and overthinking every word the man has ever spoken to me. When Declan returns, I couldn’t tell you what’s happening in the movie I’ve seen so many times prior.

The scent of his body wash envelops me—cedarwood mixed with a light citrus and bergamot—and when he sits, it’s closer than he was before. The cushion-length gap between us is gone, and we’re side by side. Immediately, heat rushes to my core.

“So, what movie is this?” Declan asks, casually draping his arm over the back of the couch, his hand parallel with where my head would rest if I laid it back.

“Crazy Stupid Love.” I’m hyper aware of his proximity—I can practically feel his skin.

“Never seen it.”

Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat a little, which does nothing to help the situation—now my knee is touching his leg. My pulse quickens, that simple touch electrifying through my body. “It’s cute. It’s about a guy whose wife blindsides him by asking for a divorce, then a guy he meets at a bar decides to help him try to be more attractive to women, but he’s a womanizer and ends up dating the other guy's daughter. I’m not explaining it well.”

“Sounds like a chick flick.” Declan gives me a coy smile.

“Kind of. Romantic comedy for sure.”

“Cool.”

Cool? How do I keep this conversation going?

“Cool.” I nod like a dumbass.

And now the conversation’s killed.

A silence settles over us and eventually, my nerves calm and I find myself getting cozier on the couch. Declan laughs at all my favorite parts, and I sneak glances at him whenever I’m positive he’s not paying attention.

Eventually though, I fall asleep. When I wake, the glow from the TV is gone, and the room is eclipsed with inky darkness from the wee hours of the night. Using the flashlight on my phone, I try to regain my bearings and notice Declan asleep on the couch next to me.

He looks serene with his hair draped over his forehead, his arms folded over his chest as he quietly sleeps.

Slipping off the couch, I tiptoe across the room and slip my feet into my sandals, while picking up my purse at the same time, not making a sound as I do.

“You don’t have to leave.” Declan’s voice is gruff, thick with sleep as he sits up and yawns. “Guest room’s all yours if you want.”

God, how I want to say yes to that. But I know I shouldn’t.

“Thanks, but I don’t have anything with me for tomorrow. I’ll be back in the morning.”

“You sure?” He’s groggy as he crosses the room to meet me at the door. “This is a shit time to be out. The bars just closed and the drunk drivers?—”

“I’ll be okay, I promise.” Ihaveto go home. I can’t explain why—no, actually I can. It’s because of the way he’s looking at me that I say no. Like he’s worried—like he wants me here. My heart can’t take it, and I’m about to kiss him. Ican’tlet that happen. Taking a step back to create some distance between us, my hand grips the doorknob behind me. “Goodnight, Declan.”

Licking my lips, I take another step back but don’t miss the way his eyes drop for a brief second before they connect with my face again.

His throat bobs. “Goodnight, Hailey.”

Stepping out into the crisp, darkened night, I hurry to my car and don’t bother letting it warm up before I put it into drive. The entire way home, my thoughts are consumed with one thing only.

Him.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Hi! I’m here! Sorry!” Hailey blazes through the door in a whirlwind, dropping her purse in its normal spot.

I love that she has “normal spots” for the things she brings into my home, and that she’s become so comfortable here.

Seeing her stirs something in my chest. I’ve been replaying last night over and over in my mind, and goddamn did I want to kiss her so many times.

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