Page 78 of The Lake House

I smile just thinking about my little girl and how big she’s getting. Time goes by so fast.

I pull into the parking spot once I’m there and turn off the engine. Several parents are walking out of the school.

The honking of a horn grabs my attention and I turn around to see what’s going on.

“Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry!”

I’m bumped by a parent, and as I turn around, I realize just who it is.

“Cindy? Hey, it’s okay.”

A mortified expression is on her face, but only for a second before it’s replaced by a blank stare. “Declan…”

I smile nervously. Shit, this is the second time we’re bumping into each other like this. If I wasn’t so into Giules and there was nothing going on between us right now, I would think meeting Cindy like this every time would be destiny.

Or maybe I wouldn’t since I was so against finding the one before Giuliana…

“Sorry, Cindy.” I give her a smile, hoping she lightens up because her glaring at me right now is not helping.

But she doesn’t look amused. Instead, her eyes stayed fixated on me to where it’s making me feel uncomfortable.

“Mom! Can we go?” Her daughter breaks the silence and Cindy’s glare on me, and I’m so thankful for it.

She glances over at her daughter and says, “Yes, sweetie. Go on and get into the car. I’ll be right there.”

Her daughter runs off toward what I’m assuming is their car, and once she reaches it, Cindy unlocks it for her from her key fob.

“Okay, well, I guess I’ll see you—”

“You know, not everyone that looks at you is secretly dreaming about you,” Cindy says, shifting weight from one foot to the other.

I furrow my brows. “I’m sorry, I’m not quite sure what you’re—”

She shakes a finger in my direction. “Just because my husband left me a few months ago, and you’re hot and single and yeah, well, it doesn’t mean I want you.”

I almost laugh, but not wanting to piss her off further, I manage to stifle it from coming out.

“All these other Jane Doe’s might be in love with you… but not me, though. Good-bye, Declan!” Cindy storms off without looking back.

I shake my head, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. I guess the way I came off last time really got to her, even though I wasn’t purposely trying to be a dick. I was just in a rush, in my thoughts, and trying to pick up my daughter.

Damn, I feel bad that she took it that way, but what can I do now? The moment passed, and she’s already gone. Maybe the next time I see her, I can apologize before she runs off.

I shrug, letting out a deep breath, and make my way to the front door of the school.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

GIULIANA

“This place still has the best spaghetti & meatballs in town,” Liv says after swallowing a mouthful of her lunch.

We decided to meet at a different restaurant when I called her last night to tell her about my date with Declan. For some reason, she said she didn’t want to go to Zio Peppe’s Pizza, but she didn’t use the name. She just said she didn’t want to go to our usual spot for pizza. She did, however, claim she had something for me.

I nod. “It is pretty good. Everything they make is delicious. It’s almost as good as—”

“Don’t say it!” Liv reaches out a hand, willing me to stop speaking abruptly.

I raise a brow with a coy smile. “What? Why can’t I say—”

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