Page 170 of Destined Lovers

It’s usually our whole crew and Wills’s parents, but they often invite Belle’s brothers, Charlie and Chloe’s nanny, their driver, and all our guards.

So when I started planning, I figured I would have this all under control.

Well… I thought wrong.

It’s all about to go to shite, and there is a big fat chance I could have a panic attack any second, which I would love to avoid since I want Declan to have the best birthday ever.

It’s the big three-five for him.

To think I’ve been in love with this man for twenty-five years is almost beyond comprehension. And yes, I know I was just a kid, yet the second I looked into those chocolate eyes, even at six. I knew.

Trust me, I knew.

So I wanted to make everything perfect for him and all our friends… yes,our friends.

And not justanyfriends,best friends. They pulled me out of my anxiety filled dark side these past four months since I’d met them, and I couldn’t love them more for it.

I’m still getting to know some more than others, like Evelyn. She’s been working on some big projects for her interior designer job, and Lola and I keep passing one another like ships in the night.

Wills, Jackson, and Annabelle visit weekly, but Sadie and her girls I see almost daily. It was an adjustment for me initially, although a nice distraction once Declan returned to work.

Not that I had a choice in the matter. Agnes lives for Charlie and Chloe and would throw a fit if she didn’t get to see those cuties every day.

I’m not complaining. I love those precious little girls to pieces.

Sadie has been on maternity leave for the last few months, so she’s also made it her business to visit Archie with me while Declan travels for work. I still haven’t gotten over his living situation with his nan. She’s a lovely lady, honestly, just clueless about what’s happening with her grandson or her issues.

Since Declan’s been catching up with clients and traveling more than he usually does, I never wanted Archie to feel abandoned. I made it a point to take him shopping, for lunch, or whatever he needs while Declan is gone.

When Sadie found out, she even offered him a paid job on the weekends to help with her animal rescue. That was the day I knew Sadie could one day be my person,like Declan. She has a kind soul, and even more so, she’s an amazing mother.

Despite me fitting right in with everyone, it’s still hard for me to wrap my head around it all. I know this is Declan’s life, and I’ve been working hard to adjust, which is precisely why I needed tonight to be perfect. I wanted to show him I could be domesticated and get on with everyone.

“Ah! You’ve got to fecking kidding me right now!” I dropped the whole fruit platter, banging my head on the way down—that hurt.

Great, just great. Now I have no fruit platter. I pick up a poorly hulled strawberry covered with Bacon’s hair and throw it back down.Who the hell can’t hull a strawberry?

I stay put on the floor for a second to take a breather. Get yourself together, Nora. If anything, do it for Declan.

“You okay, Pip?” I look up, and Declan is peering over the counter at me, concern lacing his features.

“Do I look okay? I suck at this. I’m sorry I should have listened to you and hired more help,” I cry. He must think I’m an incapable sod. I bow my head, embarrassed.

He leans down and starts collecting the fruit off the floor. “I’ll do it, Dec, just give me a second.”

He bats my hand away. “Stop it. I want to grab the grapes before Bacon comes downstairs.”

Oh great, I can’t even remember that grapes kill dogs. I would have left them sprawled all over the floor, killing Maeve’s best friend.

“Get that look off your face, Pip. Everything is perfect. I’m just happy to celebrate with you and my best mates.” He stands up, fiddles with his phone, and sets it down as the music changes.

My eyes widen, and I bite hard into my bottom lip as strong emotions run through my body.

He has one arm stretched toward me; I stare at it, unable to move.

“It’s Sunday. Dance with me, angel,” he whispers softly.

I don’t move at first, but when he holds his hand out longer, patiently waiting for me, I can’t deny the request any longer. I outstretch my arm, and Declan takes my hand in his. He re-starts the song, spins me around, then pulls me into him. One hand around my waist, one intertwined with mine, just as Etta James starts singing “At Last.”

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