Page 23 of Destined Lovers

“Running into you was by pure luck, but Maeve actually saw you recently.”

I feel my face fall. She noticed me? I’ve tried hard to do the exact opposite and go completely unnoticed.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, concerned, but I can’t answer. So I shake my head and prompt him to continue his story.

“Well, at first, I couldn’t believe my ears and was completely shocked. She’s seen pictures of you, but I was surprised she would remember enough to notice you, especially with this hair. It just seemed crazy that my best friend and supposed girlfriend, whom I’ve been looking for, for almost a decade, was right under my nose, and my sister was the one to see her first,” he spits, his response laced with hurt and frustration.

Between the two of us, so many emotions are running through us, that it would make a therapist very wealthy.

“You looked for me?” I whisper. Why would I ever think he would give up on me? But, from the look on his face, it’s exactly what he thinks I did.

Never. I would never.

He swings his body to face me completely, and through his deep gruff voice, he asks, “How could you ever think for one second I wouldn’t, Pip? I scoured this goddamn world for you! Every day… every single day we were apart, it was as if someone was taking a chisel to my heart. Slowly breaking me apart piece by piece, inch by inch.” He reaches up and aggressively wipes the tears that break free from his eyes.

My breathing picks up, and a whimper sneaks through my lips as I hold back my own tears.

This is so much harder than I ever thought it would be. His raw emotions have me at a loss for words.

I want to tell him everything. I want to tell him I ran to save him because I wasn’t safe to be around. I ran, and I wasn’t okay. I wasn’t okay because I watched my parents die, I was all alone, and no one knew but me.

I hope I’ll be able to tell him one day soon. I really do because sitting here with this secret between us is killing me. He was the only person in my life I could tell everything to, the only person I wanted to.

Oblivious to my inner demons, he continues.

“So, you’ll have to excuse me if I get frustrated with you. I know I promised I wouldn’t ask questions you’re not ready to answer, and I won’t. That doesn’t mean I like it.”

“I understand, Dec,” I whisper and take a breath before continuing. “If you believe anything that comes out of my mouth, believe me when I say I was there with you every step of the way. It’s always been you, but I had to stay away. Please just don’t ask me why. This is one of the things I’m not ready to explain yet. But I hope one day when I am ready, you’ll forgive me and understand why I’ve tortured us both.”

He nods, mollified for now.

I’m incredibly lucky that Declan is the man he is. Always so thoughtful and understanding. Because as much as he needs and wants answers, he’s taking a step back and letting me do this on my time.

Most people would have walked the other way. But not him,not my Dec.

I need to touch him. I need to feel that connection that has always run through us, so I hesitantly reach over to hold his hand, unable to help myself.

When our hands meet, he lets out a heavy sigh and intertwines our fingers, squeezing me tight.

It’s clear he needed this too.

Without words, our touch is the only reassurance that we can hold onto to know we can get through this.

Before I know it, he pulls my arm toward him, and I fly forward, landing on his chest.

His large muscular arms wrap around me, engulfing me in an all-consuming heartwarming hug. I’ve missed this feeling of being held and loved by him.

“Right now, Nora,” he whispers into the top of my head and kisses my forehead quickly. “This is all I need, no words, only you in my arms, knowing you’re real, knowing you’re safe.”

I squeeze him back, letting the weight of my worries dissipate, letting the silence do the talking. Knowing that this is a gift in itself because I never thought we’d be here right now.

“But one day, Nora, promise me, one day soon, you’ll explain everything to me.”

I lean back and sweep the wisps of his hair that have fallen so I can look him right into his deep dark eyes. “I promise you, Declan. You have my word.” I’m not sure when, but I know without a doubt, I will tell him the truth one day.

“Then that’s all I can ask for right now. If you need time, I’ll trust you like I always have to give you the space you need. And know… I will always be here for you, and I’ll be ready to listen when you’re ready.”

I keep my eyes locked on his. I don’t have the strength to look away. I am in awe of this man, this selfless, caring man.

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