Page 19 of The Tides Between Us

“Declan who?”

“I doubt you know him. He’s not from around here.”

Nico pursed his lips. “That doesn’t mean shit. If someone is taking my sister on fucking breakfast dates, I want to know who he is.”

I ran a frustrated hand down my face.“His name is Declan Parks. He’s just here visiting his brother while he rehabs his shoulder that he injured surfing.”

Wes’s face lit up. “Declan Parks. Like the best surfer in the country?”

I shrugged. I knew he was a professional surfer, but it wasn’t like I followed the sport.“I guess?”

“I don’t give two shits who he is or what he does. If he’s taking my sister on dates, I want to meet him.” His nostrils flared and he shook his head. “I’ve never taken a girl to breakfast before besides Harper.”

Wes nodded. “Yeah. Dinner is cool because you usually end up following up with dessert later on. Breakfast feels too… intimate or something.”

Nico gave Wes a murderous glare before looking back at me.

“It wasn’t a date. And I told you—he’s just a friend, kind of.”

“Kind of?” Nico retorted. “If he’s not a friend, then what is he?”

“I meant kind of because I barely even know the guy.”I let out an exasperated sigh as I shook my head at him.“It was seriously nothing.”

"Was it, though, if he’s texting you?” Wes chimed in, and I fought the urge to drive my fist into the side of his face. He was not helping the matter. “What did he say to you anyways?”

I rolled my eyes at the two of them and unlocked my phone before opening up the unread message. My stomach felt like it was already on the floor and my heart was drumming away in my chest. I couldn’t help the butterfly feelings I had.

Declan

Good morning, princess. I missed you at sunrise.

Oh my god. My heart skipped a beat. We never agreed on meeting again this morning, but he noticed my absence regardless. I quickly typed back a response to him, fighting a smile.

Giana

I forgot to set an alarm and overslept. My brother and his friend are here right now asking about you.

“He was just saying good morning.”

Nico’s face scrunched, like he didn’t believe me, but the two of them didn’t press any further as they both directed their attention back to their food. Wes asked Nico something about hockey and I took that as my out of the conversation. My phone vibrated from where I set it on my lap and I opened up the message.

Declan

So, you’ve been talking about me then?

I pulled my lips between my teeth as the butterflies in my stomach fluttered their wings.

Giana

I may have mentioned you.

I was fully ignoring my brother and his friend as I continued to eat and text Declan.

Declan

I hope you put in a good word for me because I’d like to see you again.

Giana

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