Page 203 of Destined Lovers

Just as I get to Evelyn, I hear my name being called. I turn my head back to Jameson and raise my brow in question.

“Call me Jamie…It’s what my friends call me.”

My eyes widen in shock, and before I can say anything, he's gone like the wind.

This is a revelation, holy shite.

“Hey Fiona, I mean Nora. Bloody hell,” She cringes, “I keep saying the wrong name, sorry. I hate to leave early, but I need to head out.” Evelyn says, breaking me out of my shock.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, concerned. She looks a little frazzled.

She smiles sadly as she shakes her head, “It’s Andrew’s mum’s birthday, and I’ve completely forgotten. I’ve never missed celebrating with her.”

Andrew must be her husband who passed.

I pull her in for a hug, “No worries at all. You doing okay though otherwise? Therapy is good?”

She rolls her eyes, “The therapist is suggesting I get an anonymous pen pal that works with her therapist friend in New York. Apparently, I'm not ‘opening up enough,’ whatever that means. It’s complete shite if you ask me. I open up just fine.” She huffs and is in too much of a rush to see the grin I try holding back.

Wills and Evelyn’s similarities mainly stop at their looks. Every once in a while, she’ll say something that reminds me so much of her brother, and if pointed out, I’m not sure she’d be happy about it.

“I’ve had a lovely time celebrating you and can’t wait to meetNoraproperly. I’d love it if we could catch up soon over lunch. I have gotten approvals for the house we should discuss.”

I perk up at that. I’m getting excited about this remodel. It’s been a pleasure working with her, “Let me know the date. I look forward to it,” I say. She kisses both my cheeks, and then she’s off.

* * *

Now that everyone’s said their hello’s and settled in, I’m busting at the seams to share our news. Declan has our mates gather in front of us while he steps behind me, wrapping his strong arms snugly around my body.

Wills and Sadie mimic our position across the way while she cradles a sleeping Chloe in her arms. Jackson, Belle, Marco, Lola, and Penny stand beside them while Charlie playfully hangs off Jackson's leg.

Over on the other side are all the guards, including Bennett. While Agnes and Maeve stick by his side and somewhere lingering behind are Eleanor and Thomas, Wills’s parents.

I’ve noticed Bennett and Ethan speaking for a while, and after talking to Ethan over the last week, I know he was impressed with Bennett, even if Declan has and may never get over what happened.

Maybe he’ll offer Bennett a job. I know he'd love to get out of Ireland, especially since Agnes and I are in London.

Lola clinks her glass, then lifts it in the air while the rest follow in unison.

“To Nora, with the red hair,” she toasts, and we all laugh, clinking one another’s glasses.

“To the best fucking friends you can ever ask for,” Jackson cheers, and the room gets loud with the shouts of our excitement. Jackson glances over in my direction and gives me a cheeky wink.

I love that boy.

His eyes move to Belle as he grabs her hand, trying to interlock their fingers, something I’ve seen them do many times, except this time, she yanks it away, annoyed. Jackson clutches it again, not giving a shite what Belle wants, or at least that’s what his eyes say.

I freaking knew it. Something is going on here!

I’m not listening to Declan anymore. Screw minding my own business. I want to know what’s going on between the two of them, and I intend to find out.

Who cares if I’m being nosey, I was practically kidnapped, for God’s sake. I’m allowed to do whatever I want now.

Declan clears his throat to get everyone’s attention while stepping to my side in a show of togetherness. He palms the back of my neck, pulls me into his side, and softly rubs his thumb along the side of my throat.

My favorite thing.

He bends down and drops his mouth to my ear. His lips lightly brush up against my skin, and a sheet of goosebumps scatter over my body. He chuckles, knowing that even in front of our friends, he still immensely affects me.

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