Page 103 of Destined Lovers

“Good morning, Pip.” Declan chirps. I turn to see a smile plastered on his face, a smile that would look creepy on a regular day, now even more so after last night. And after the internal battle I’ve just endured, he’s acting like everything is okay? This seems suspicious.

I narrow my eyes, trying to figure out what he’s playing at here. “Why are you so chipper at…” I look at the clock. “Eight in the morning?”

“Just want to start the day off on the right foot,” He singsongs and continues to his closet to get dressed. “When you’re done getting ready, meet me downstairs. We have a big day ahead of us.”

“Uh, okay. Like what?”

“Lots of stuff!” He calls as he throws his jumper over his head and exits the room.

What the feck?

I flip the light on in the bathroom, disappointment hitting hard. For a split second, I thought maybe because of his good mood, he would have left me a quote. Sadly, I’m mistaken.

When he left me those beautiful sayings each morning on our trip, they filled a void I hadn’t realized I’d been missing for years.Love.

I miss my Declan.

Of course, I’m loved by Agnes and even Bennett in his own way, but that’s not the love I mean. I had been missing the feeling of unconditional love from someone who would move heaven and earth for me. Who has the power to break me but only wants to build me up. Who is not only my best friend but my partner.

I need to remind him of our love and what we mean to each other. Most importantly, I need him to see past his hurt.

He was smiling and weirdly happy this morning, but it was a show. He was trying too hard and wasn’t fooling anybody. Plus, he didn’t kiss me good morning or even give me a cuddle. That right there is the biggest sign that he needs more time.

* * *

My head is on a swivel as I head downstairs to meet Declan. I think I was in a shock-induced daze as he gave me the tour last night. Besides the entryway, the upstairs is filled with my art and Maeve’s, which I completely missed. All in thin ornate frames.

He wouldn’t have these hanging up in his house to look at every day, to be reminded of me if he hated me.

This has to be a good sign.I hope.

And how big is this house? I’m on the third floor.Who has a third floor in a home?They aren’t just small landings with a room. Nope, these are full-size floors with multiple rooms. Let’s not forget that secret room on the fourth floor. I guess all my attempts to tell him he was spending too much was a lost cause.

Declan is rich…mega fecking rich.

I make it to the final staircase that leads me into his modern yet traditional kitchen. It’s gorgeous. I couldn’t picture what his house would look like when he told me he was building it. Declan is a pretty eclectic guy in life and style. His clothes and persona say one thing, but his intellect and interests say another.

His kitchen alone tells that exact story.

Modern white countertops, brass fixtures, abstract lighting, and dark navy traditional cupboards.

The spacing between furniture is spread out, presumably for Maeve’s wheelchair, and wait… is that a dog bowl?

“Hey, how are you liking the house so far?” Declan comes out of nowhere, scaring the shite out of me. He walks behind me and pats my shoulder as he walks by in a friendly, ‘how ya doing’ way. Pick a lane, buddy. If you want to pretend you’re not mad anymore, where the feck is my good morning kiss?

“Do you have a dog?”

“Aye, Maeve has a dog. We just adopted him.” He reaches up into a cabinet to get a juice glass and tries to hide the way he takes a sniff of my perfume. I went for a brighter scent today so if he wants to pretend. So can I.

Although, this day did just get substantially better. Having a dog live in the house with us is the best news ever.

“Oh my god! When will they be back here?” I ask, bouncing on my feet. I love dogs, well, all animals: horses, sheep, rabbits, anything. I haven’t owned a pet since I was a kid, since before moving to America.

“Tomorrow afternoon after Maeve’s art class.”

“Oh… do you need to go with her? I can stay here and wait, or does her nurse take her?”

“Penelope is off tomorrow morning, so Sadie will take her and then drop her off here.” I nod my head.

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