Page 26 of Destined Lovers

My thoughts are cut short when I hear a car pull up, and it hits me instantly—Agnes is about to walk in, and I have not explained one thing to Declan.

I jump up to fix my dress, thankful she didn’t get home five minutes ago. “You stay here!” I point at Declan as I run toward the door before Agnes walks in.

“Where are you going?” he calls.

“I told you I had things to tell you, and I wanted to discuss before Agnes, the woman I live with, got home, but we did….” I point down at his privates. “Whatever we did, now she’s home, so… just stay here.”

I’m frantic. “And whateverthatwas, can’t happen again,” I warn, glancing down again at the unmistakable bulge strained against his jeans.

I was on his lap two minutes into talking, riding him like nobody’s business.

Get it together, Nora.I shake my head, annoyed with myself.

“Nora,” Declan calls.

I turn and look over my shoulder in his direction.

He shrugs, unaffected. “I’ve waited what feels like a lifetime to find you again. I can wait forever for all the rest.”

He leans back and raises his arms, lacing his fingers behind his head. Cool, calm, and collected. While I run out the front door like a lunatic.

“You can’t deny it. The attraction is still there!” he yells right when the door slams behind me.

No… no, I can’t.

But he doesn’t need to know that.

“Hello, my sweet child. Can you help me with these bags?” Agnes calls as I step outside and run over to her car.

I really need to work out more because I’m out of breath just from running down the driveway.

“Agnes, you can’t come inside yet,” I spit, and she eyes me suspiciously.

“There’s someone in there…” Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This is all coming out wrong. Because her eyes light up like our Christmas tree, she thinks I have a guy in there. Well, I do, but she doesn’t know who.

She’s been begging me to date someone for a long time.

“It’s not what you think.”Well, it kind of is.

“Get on with it, Riley.”

“Umm, you know how you told me to see Declan?”

She nods her head enthusiastically.

“Well, I didn’t, but he showed up here… long story, I’ll explain later. Anyway… he’s inside, and I haven’t told him anything. So, maybe you can go downstairs and come up when we’re done? Please?” I smile brightly to seal the deal.

“Why can’t you just sit out here? It’s still beautiful out.”

I feel my body physically shrink. “I think what I have to tell him should be done inside.”

She doesn’t answer, so I go on. “He doesn’t know about my parents. I don’t plan on telling him the whole story yet. It’s too much for me today. Although at least I think he has a right to know they aren’t alive.”

She walks over, puts her arm around my shoulder, and squeezes tight. “Of course, call me up when you’re ready. I’d love to meet him.”

“Thank you,” I say and press a quick kiss to her cheek before I walk toward the house.

I’d prefer it if they didn’t meet today, but I know I can’t do that to her.

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