Page 28 of Declan
Celebrities were people, too. I had to keep telling myself that. Declan was in town for a movie and had some down time. We weren’t friends or anything, but we weren’t complete strangers, either. Maybe he did that often; met up with locals while on location and went around town.
“Can I help you?” the girl working the front counter asked. She was pretty with long dark hair and glasses.
“Nah, I’m good,” I said, sporting a nervous smile. “Just meeting someone.”
“Kyler Michaels?” a deep voice sounded from behind me.
I turned to see the biggest guy I’d ever seen in my life. He was well-built and intimidating as hell. His short blond hair was cut in a military style and his biceps were thicker than my thigh. Fuck only knew how tall he was. At least six or seven inches taller than me.
“Yeah?” I answered. More like squeaked.
“Come with me,” he said.
“Uh, no, it’s okay.” I stayed right where I was.
The massive dude narrowed his eyes. And thattotallymade me want to go with him. Not.
“Mr. Price is waiting for you in the car,” he said in an even tone, putting his hands behind his back.
In the car? Did that mean Declan had seen me get out of Brysen’s car and pace outside for a bit before going into the building? He must’ve thought I was nuts.
Hesitantly, I approached the blond dude. “Are you his driver?”
“Yes,” he answered, guiding me out of the hotel lobby and back outside into the sun. “Among other things.”
A black car with tinted windows was parked out front. Nothing too fancy, but definitely not a cheap rental. For some reason, I’d expected Declan to be driven around in a limo or something crazy expensive like a Lamborghini or some shit.
“What’s your name?” I asked as Mr. Military walked me over to the car.
“Gideon.” He opened the door to the backseat and waited for me to slide in before closing it behind me.
I jumped as the door shut. My gaze then slowly moved to the left.
Declan sat beside me, looking way too relaxed and gorgeous. The front of his brown hair stuck up a bit, and even though he was dressed casually, he looked like a damn model. He wore sunglasses and a smile that made me forget how to breathe for a moment.
“Hey,” he said.
I wished he wasn’t wearing sunglasses. I wanted to see his eyes. Then again, it was probably for the best. I would’ve only gotten lost in them.
“Hey,” I echoed.
Gideon got into the driver’s seat and sat there, facing ahead and not moving. He must’ve been waiting for Declan to tell him where to go.
“I know it’s not dinner, but what about lunch instead?” Declan asked. “Didn’t you mention a diner before?”
“Chase’s Diner,” I answered, and I hated how my voice shook. I tilted my head at him. Stunned. “Wait. I commented that on one of your posts. You remembered?”
Fuck, he even saw it?
Declan’s face was unreadable as he looked at me. “Well, youdidsay they were the best burgers in the world. A guy doesn’t forget something like that. Burgers are life.” He turned toward the driver. “Hear that, Gideon?”
“Yes,” Gideon answered before leaving the hotel parking lot.
I buckled my seatbelt and then fidgeted in my seat. Shit, I didn’t know what to do with my hands. Fold them in my lap, place them at my sides? What would make me seem less awkward?
“There’s no reason to be nervous,” Declan said, drawing my attention back to him.
Not that my attention had ever been fullyawayfrom him.
