Page 71 of The Lake House

She smiles wickedly. “Because he just so happened to call me earlier today to ask me if I think you would say yes. He wanted to make sure that wasn’t too forward of him to do and I reassured him it was fine and that you’d be thrilled to go with him.”

I’m in total shock. Of course, my best friend and boyfriend are talking about me behind my back. I want to laugh until my sides hurt because this is exactly the kind of relationship I always wished Liv and Todd would have. I wanted there to be that trust between them, where they could talk about me and be friends. Not just talk because he’s my man, and they feel forced. I’m so fucking happy right now I could cry.

And this right here lets me know once again Declan is the one for me and I made the right choice in dating him.

“Liv,” I say, beginning to get teary-eyed.

“Yeah?”

“I love you, girl.”

She smiles and winks at me. “I know. Now, come on. Let’s bring the boys out these beers before they get warm and start tasting like piss.”

ChapterTwenty-Five

DECLAN

The snapping sound of thunder booms through the cracked window in my office. To many people, the torrential rain puts them off. But not me. It might be cloudy, rainy, and thundering outside with lightning striking every few minutes, but there’s nothing that can ruin my mood this morning. There’s a smile plastered on my face that I haven’t been able to get rid of for the past two days. Ever since the other night when I introduced everyone to Giules, I’ve been ridiculously happy. Even Cheryl asked me last night if I was okay because I was smiling so hard. I can’t help it though. I’m totally head over heels in love with Giuliana Bianchi.

And to know that everyone else loved her makes me feel even more in love with her. Rog and Rach had nothing but good things to say about her, and best of all, Lily couldn’t stop talking about her the following day, too. So much so that my mother and sister picked up on the hints. I had no choice but to tell Cheryl all about her. I wasn’t planning on saying much to my family yet, but I figured since everyone else has met her, there was no pointing in waiting to tell them about her.

“Ready for this weekend?” Roger asks as he makes his way into my office on this gloomy Monday morning.

Even though most of our workers are off today because it’s impossible to work in these conditions, he and I are always in the office.

“Hey, Rog. Good morning,” I answer and then take a sip of coffee from my black-and-white marble mug.

He raises an eyebrow and chuckles. “Well, I don’t know aboutgood, but it sure does suit a Monday.”

I raise my mug. “It’s a wonderful day.”

He laughs. “You’re awfully cheery today. What’s up?”

I shrug, take another sip, and then place my cup on my desk. “Just happy, I guess.”

Roger nods. “I love that Giuliana does that for you. I love seeing you in such a wonderful mood.”

I point to myself with my right hand. “I’ve been happy for a long time.”

“You have. But today, it’s something else.”

I nod this time. “Yeah, I guess you’re right, my old friend.”

He takes a seat in that chair in front of my desk. “Hey, watch who you’re calling old. I’m about to get married in a few weeks.”

I chuckle. “I know. I’m just teasing.”

“And speaking of getting married and such… you ready for this weekend?”

The bachelor party. Crap. I’m going to go because this is my friend and one of the biggest moments of his life, but I wonder if Giules is going to hate me for going to a strip club. Shit. I really don’t want to mess things up with her. I know some girls don’t like when their guys go to those places.

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

Roger raises an eyebrow. “Aww, come on, man. A little more excitement, please. I mean, I’m still not crazy about the idea, but it is what it is.”

I chuckle. “Sorry, Rog… I just—”

He nods. “I know, I know. You’re worried that Giules may not be cool with it. I get it. Look, if you think she’s going to have a problem with it, we don’t have to go. Maybe we can convince Joey and Brad to go somewhere else?”

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