Page 176 of Destined Lovers

“The fact that you think I would leave my girls at home, especially my four-month-old, makes me think you don’t know me at all,” Wills mutters.

Sadie rests her head on his shoulder. “True.” She giggles then leans her head into his chest to place a lingering kiss. “I wouldn’t leave Chloe home either. It’s the champagne talking.”

Wills doesn’t let her pull away. He tightens his arm around her shoulder, cups her cheek, and then leans down for a proper kiss.

I glance around the table, and everyone but Jackson ignores them. Do Declan and I look as sickly in love as they do?

“So anyway,” Jackson yells to break them apart. “Annabelle and I can’t go. I have a wedding in Las Vegas for one of my friends from New York. Annabelle is coming as my plus one.”

“Oh, that came quick. I didn’t realize it was next weekend. How about the weekend after then?” Sadie asks.

Lola, Marco, and Evelyn all say they can’t, and then Jackson, Annabelle, and Lola are busy the following weekend after that.

“Go without us. It’s hard to do spontaneous with this many people, and we’ll be in Vegas. It’s not like we won’t be away, too,” Annabelle tells us all.

“If you insist,” Sadie replies. “You don’t mind that the girls come? We’ll bring Kathryn, their nanny, so that they won’t bother us the whole time.”

“Aye, Slim, Charlie will be the life of the trip. I wouldn’t want to go without her,” Declan says.

“Same. Aunty Ev hasn’t had enough Charlie time lately. I don’t want her to feel neglected with the new baby.”

Declan turns to Ethan and the guys. “Does that work for you guys?”

“As long as we can fly with you, nothing would be different,” Jameson states.

“There will be enough room, assuming you want to fly private?” Declan asks Wills, and he nods his confirmation.

The guys pour another scotch, and after many glasses of wine and specialty gin and tonics, I can tell by everyone’s raised voices that the intoxication level is going up, which means it’s time for dessert and speeches.

I stand up beside Declan and drape my arm around his shoulders while he’s wrapped around my thighs. “We’re drunk and want to eat cake, so I’ll be real quick. But, before I say my speech, as a thank you for coming to celebrate this gorgeous man,” I squeeze Declan’s arm, “Under your seats are gift bags with personalized perfume and cologne bottles that me, Maeve, and Agnes made for you, based on your personality. For example, Sadie, yours is sweet and floral, and Annabelle’s spicy and bold. I’ve made personal cards inside, which will explain it all. Now for the important part.” I smile at Declan. “Happy birthday, my love. We’ve missed out on many birthdays together, which I regret gravely. But, being here today with you and with you lot.” I look around the table. “Shows me it’s all working out in the end, and instead of looking to the past, I’m only looking forward to the future from here on out. To celebrate many more wonderful occasions with you all. Happy birthday, Declan.”

“Hear, hear! Happy birthday!” everyone yells, as I lean down to kiss Declan.

“I love you. Happy birthday, Dec.” I cup his cheek, hold his face, and then kiss him again.

“I love you too, angel.” He leans his forehead against mine, holding still for a moment. “So much,” he whispers.

I break away and stand back up before I get too emotional. “I also quickly want to congratulate Declan on all his hard work the past couple of months. It’s been hard on him to leave me, Maeve, and Agnes to travel, but it finally paid off. After months of back and forth, he found out this morning, as the perfect gift, that Logan Hale has not only signed withThe Taylor Group, but Declan has negotiated a contract with one of the largest sports brands to have Logan be the face of their new campaign, paying him higher than any other tennis pro to-date.” I clink my glass with his, and our friends cheer in celebration of his success. I’m so proud of him.

“Well, on that note, we need to celebrate Annabelle, too,” Sadie announces and lifts her glass. “My bestie has been working her behind off for over a year now, traveling back and forth to Italy trying to land what could be one of her biggest accounts of her career, rebranding a vineyard and all their sister properties, throughout all of Italy. And like Declan, she found out she got it today!”

Everyone shouts in excitement at her success while I find her eyes across the table. My smile’s wide and genuine, proud of her too.

It’s a good day to celebrate!

Declan

Wills pats me on the back. “Getting up there in age, mate.” He cheers my drink, that I can’t even drink anymore. I feel sick to my stomach.

“Yeah, at least he’s not turning forty this year,” Jackson rebuttals, Wills has no response.

“What’s going on with you?” Jackson asks. “You seem even quieter than normal.”

I pass my phone over to him to read the latest email I just received from Nora’s lawyer.

“Oh shit, this is good, though, no?” Jackson asks.

I roll my neck, trying to relieve the tension. “She doesn’t like surprises. She needs time to prepare.”

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