Page 35 of Destined Lovers

“What the heck have you got here?” I ask her, and she shrugs like nothing is wrong.

“Agnes, why are you wasting your money? This is too much food, and it’s expensive stuff. Declan isn’t like that. He would enjoy anything you make.”

“I invited him, so it’s my decision on what I make for my guests. Thank you very much,” she snaps.

I know she’s excited to have more people to cook for, especially because it’s Declan.

The guy I haven’t shut up about for years.

So, for now, I’ll give her a break.

“Thank you for caring.” I lean over, give her a side hug, lead her out of the store, and head straight to the car, parked right in front.

After packing everything up and jumping in the driver’s seat, I glance over to my right before pulling into traffic, and staring right at me from across the street is the strange man from inside.

He casually stands against the wall, his legs crossed with the cockiest and creepiest grin plastered on his face.

A chill passes through my body, making me visibly shiver.

I don’t like how that guy is looking at me.At all.

I make a mental note to tell Bennett later, knowing my overprotective friend will want to know about this guy, and we’ll get to the bottom of who he is in no time. Bennett likes to think he is in charge of all Ballyclare.

I pull off and weave into the holiday traffic, leaving the thought of the guy behind, so I can mentally prepare for Christmas with Declan.

* * *

“Do you think it’s okay to put the turkey in now?” Agnes asks, eager to get this night started.

I check the time to make sure everything is going to plan and that we have enough time to get ready. Agnes is excited about the company.

I’ve noticed a different side of Agnes tonight. She’s never shown signs of being lonely. She has an abundance of friends in town and belongs to numerous clubs that I reckon always fulfilled her. Except, the joy I see radiating off her has me regretful, thinking I might not give her the companionship she needs.

I work long hours between the pub and painting but have always tried my hardest to make time for her. To create our perfumes, watch movies, and take long walks through the countryside.

Now I’m not sure it’s enough.

In that moment, I vow to do better because she deserves to be the happiest Agnes possible. She’s done everything in her power to give me the best life these last ten years, even if I’ve been a miserable gobshite at times. She’s never given up on me.

For example, Christmas Eve… it’s the one night a year we get dressed up and celebrate together.

I mean,reallyget dressed up—gowns, makeup, the whole sha-bam. She’s never mentioned it, but I know Agnes started this tradition attempting to cheer me up when I moved in with her all those years ago. It was my first Christmas season without my parents, and I was devastated beyond belief.

I thought my life was over.

I couldn’t handle the emotional unrest that ran through my head. I was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown at one point. It also happened to be when my nightmares started, so you can only imagine how it might have all been too much.

That Christmas eve was beyond anything I’ve ever felt before—a mix of sadness and anger over their tragic death, and Agnes knew. She never made me feel like a burden, never cared when I acted out, and was always there for me, even when I wasn’t ready to let her in. She always had my back.

I remember her bursting into my room, gown in hand, singing, “Let’s party like it’s our last Christmas on earth.” And we’ve done it that way ever since. Then on Christmas Day, we stay cozy by the fire all day, watching Christmas movies and eating leftovers.

Just the two of us.

“I think it’s a perfect time for the turkey, gives us enough time to clean up before we both have to shower,” I finally answer.

“Oh no, I’ll clean up. You need more time than me to get ready this year.” She winks as she bends over to put the turkey in the oven.

She’s met Declan once and is already fully on his team. She knows damn well that I’m not ready to get close to him again. Or close to anyone, for that matter.

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