Page 46 of Destined Lovers

“I can’t believe you kept Skipper.” He grabs his old, now un-stuffed animal.

Skipper was Declan’s safety blanket as a baby, and then when he got older, he couldn’t part with it. But, when I left for the states, he gave it to me. He wanted something of his to give me comfort when I was homesick.

“This thing is over thirty years old. I hope you’ve washed it,” he mumbles.

I gasp, affronted. “I will never wash it. It would wash you away!” Is he crazy? I grab it back from him for safety. He reaches over and places his hand on my thigh to give me a squeeze, and I know everything will be okay.

“So, are we ready to hit the road?” I ask excitedly as I jump off the bed. I don’t want to sit around all day. I’ve already made us late enough.

He follows my cue and lifts my luggage. “What the hell do you have in here, Nora?”

“Everything, literally everything.” I widen my eyes, and he laughs.

After we say goodbye to Agnes, we head out to start our trip.

“Is this your car? It’s very fancy,” I ask Declan as we walk up to the Range Rover I passed earlier. It’s a far cry from the old as shite Volkswagen I drive.

He shrugs. “Kind of.”

“What does that mean,kind of?”

“I um…” He suddenly looks embarrassed.

“You um…what? Spit it out.”

He takes my bags and walks around the car to put them in the boot, “I bought it for this road trip. I don’t have a car here.”

“You what?” I squeal. “You bought a one hundred thousand pound car for a road trip?”

He makes a face. What is that face? OMG! “You paid more than one hundred thousand?” I yell.

“Well, it was the only one left that was good enough, and I figured I can leave it here for Maeve’s nurse until she moves to London.”

“Declan, you do not buy a Range Rover for your sister’s nurse or a road trip. You rent a car, or you buy her a Toyota. Is this how you live now?” I ask, still taken aback. We clearly live in two very different worlds. He doesn’t answer, and I think I may have offended him.

“I’m sorry, I just can’t wrap my head around spending that much money. I stress out when I use my paints too quickly and have to buy more.”

He rolls his neck, which he does when annoyed or angry.

“Don’t be mad at me, Dec. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“This is my life now, Nora.” He shrugs. “I’m not trying to throw my money around but get used to it. Buying this car was nothing for me, and I’m not going to have her nurse drive around in some shite car just because that’s what is expected of her. She takes care of one of the most precious people in my life. Why wouldn’t I ensure she has one of the best and safest cars? Plus, isn’t this the one you always wanted?” he questions.

Oh…oh! Why am I such a bitch? Why didn’t I even notice this or think that’s why he has this car? When we were young, we would always play the game, ‘if I had all the money in the world, I would buy,’ and then you would name your favorite things. Cars, the type of house we wanted, and everything we thought were important as teenagers.

I used to say, ‘when I grow up, I want a navy blue Range Rover with a white interior. I would ask Declan to say his favorite car, and he would always answer, ‘I want whatever car you’ll be riding in with me.”

I peek inside the window to see…

“They’re white,” he mutters dryly, his face dejected. I’ve hurt his feelings, and I feel like a complete loser. This day is not starting off to a good start.

I run toward the driver’s side, where he’s about to get in the car, and I throw my hands around his waist. “I’m such a bitch. I’m sorry! I love this car, Dec. Thank you for always being so thoughtful.”

He doesn’t answer me but strokes the hair that’s fallen out of my braid. It feels so good to be in his embrace. It’s where I’ve always belonged. I don’t even want to get in the car right now. I just want to stay here forever and forget all my problems. I’ve always felt safe in his arms. I squeeze him a little tighter, and he sighs into my hold.

“You ready, Pip?”

“Mmm, don’t let go, Dec,” I mumble into his chest’s hard, muscular planes.

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