Page 80 of Bewitch

I laugh. “You’re fine.”

“I don’t mind you looking,” Brooke says. “Dawn’s been kicking ass lately, but why would he punish you?”

I shrug.

“Did anything happen at the gym today?” she presses.

“Well, you know those protein balls I made?”

She nods. “Are they all gone? I was going to have Declan try one, but I might’ve eaten it. Sorry, babe.”

I laugh and duck my head. “I’m so glad you like them! Everyone seems to at the gym, and they’re all coming up to me, talking to me, asking for more or the recipe… a guy came over and asked me out.”

“Did you turn him down?” Brooke asks, narrowing her eyes.

“Lucas interrupted me before I could answer. Not that I knew what to say, but I did consider saying yes. I was supposed to tell him yes or no before I left, but Lucas had me all flustered, so I just hurried out of there.”

“He’s jealous,” Declan says without hesitating.

“I don’t know about that,” I protest.

“Are you still trying to get Lucas to like you?” Brooke asks.

“I don’t know. Yes, I think so. He knows how to get under my skin and push my buttons, but I might not exactly be the most appropriate with him either.”

“Sexual tension, huh?” Declan asks as he glances from me to Brooke. It’s like he’s at a tennis match. “Do you like him?”

“He’s hot, and I think there’s more to him than meets the eye, but from the way he treated me at the begging, calling me Fattie… I just want to teach him a lesson. Maybe it would be better to just go out with Pat.” I bite my lower lip.

“Only go out with Pat if you want to give him a chance,” Brooke advises.

“Oh, no. I know. I won’t lead him on. I don’t knowanythingabout Pat at all, so I’m not sure if we’re compatible or not.”

“Is he cute?” she asks.

I nod. “He is, but he’s not nearly as hot as Lucas.”

Declan smirks.

“What?” I ask.

“You have it bad for Lucas.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Maybe, but I…”

“You don’t want to because you think he’s an asshole.” He glances at Brooke, who shoves him away.

“Not all assholes end up being a guy worth dating,” she says.

“But some do.”

“Maybe.” She kisses his forehead.

“Yeah, if you two are going to be all lovey dovey, that’s my cue to get out of here.”

Declan holds up a finger. “If he gives you any issues, if any of the guys at the gym do, you just let me know. I’ll show up there and convince them to grapple and leave them in tears.”

I chuckle. “Thanks for that.”

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