Page 141 of Destined Lovers

“So, are we going to talk about the elephant in the room?” Wills points to me, and Sadie gasps while Evelyn reaches over and punches her brother in his arm.

“You’re such a dick sometimes,” Jackson mutters, shaking his head.

And Marco spits out a “Bloody hell, Wills” simultaneously.

“I’m not trying to be a dick—”

“You don’t have to try. You are one, mate,” Declan snaps, sounding utterly disappointed with his friend.

I think Wills hears it, too, because he drops his head slightly.

“Sorry, mate, but clearly, you’re very familiar with each other, so I’m just confused as to what’s going on here.”

A look passes through Declan and me, and I know it’s time to tell my story. I’d almost rather sit back watching everyone else’s antics and let Wills be a dick than have to explain. Having everyone’s eyes on me sounds like the worst thing on the planet.

“You do the honors,” I tell Declan, and he pauses to make sure I’m okay, kisses my lips, and pulls me tight into his side. It’s strange showing PDA in front of other people who aren’t Agnes.

“Before I start, there are a few things I need to ask of all of you here as my best friends and family.” He pauses, then makes a funny face.

“Wait, where is Lola?”

Annabelle laughs. “You’re just noticing she’s not here now? She’ll love to hear that later.”

“It was hectic, as usual, when you all walked in.” Declan shrugs.

“She hadanotherdate from one of her dumb apps she’s obsessed with. She’s on a mission but might stop by later,” Annabelle says, sounding annoyed.

“You’ll fill her in, one of you?”

“I’ll see her tomorrow if she doesn’t come tonight,” Marco says, and Declan nods his acknowledgment.

“Everything spoken here tonight stays between us. No little detail leaves this table, understood?” Everyone looks around the table except for Sadie. She’s smiling a warm, supportive smile. I smile back in thanks.

The others nod their heads, confused but agreeable.

“Fiona and I were best friends growing up. We are four years apart, but we were inseparable. Then as we got older, we fell in love.” He smiles down at me and squeezes me tighter against him. He goes on to tell them how I moved to the states because of my da’s job and how we had a long-distance relationship.

“Then one day, Fiona disappeared,” he pauses. I know talking about losing me is still hard on him. “I was distraught after she left but didn’t give up hope, and for ten long years, I looked everywhere for her. Then, after Maeve’s gala last year, I saw her at the pub we were all in.”

I see recognition of the night pass over Wills’s face, but he sits quietly while Declan continues to fill them in about our road trip and how I disappearedagain.

“Then, a few weeks ago, to my shock, I found out Fiona was living in Birmingham, and I finally found out why she’s disappearedtwicefrom my life.”

Declan looks down, and I know he’s wondering if I want to say this part, I slowly shake my head no. We only have a few months until the court case, and I feel all I do is think or talk about it now. With Declan, Bennett, my new lawyers, and now even with Agnes, who is starting to worry. I’m done.

Sadie gets up, switches seats with Evelyn to sit next to me, and takes my hand in hers. She knows what’s coming next, and I feel a wave of guilt wash over me.

How was I even one ounce jealous of this sweet, selfless person? I’ve known her for not even an hour, and she’s here by my side to support me.

“Thank you,” I whisper and squeeze her hand.

She smiles at me, then at Declan. At the same time, I look over at the rest of their crew, who look completely and utterly confused, waiting in complete silence while Declan waits to continue.

“Fiona was in witness protection—”

“What?” Evelyn and Marco say in unison, shocked.

Declan doesn’t answer.

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