I step closer.“Elle,” I whisper.
She swallows.“We never finished Twenty Questions.”
“Do you want me to kiss you right now?”
“Yes.”
I don’t waste another second, pressing my lips against hers.
The moment our mouths meet, everything else falls away—the cold night air, the quiet hum of traffic from the street below, even the dull ache in my chest from the last few days.It all disappears under the soft heat of Elle’s lips.She makes a tiny sound, half-gasp, half-whimper, and it nearly undoes me.
I cup her face, my thumbs brushing the edges of her jaw as I deepen the kiss.She tastes like salt and caramel from the milkshake she stole a sip of earlier, and something purely Elle that I could never describe but would know anywhere.
She hesitates for a heartbeat, her hands curling in the front of my jacket, and then she’s kissing me back.Not politely.Not carefully.Like she’s been wanting this as badly as I have.
“Declan…” she breathes against my mouth, her voice a shaky whisper.
“I’m right here,” I murmur, resting my forehead against hers for a moment before kissing her again.This time slower, like I’m trying to memorize the shape of her mouth, the sound she makes when I nip at her lower lip.
Her fingers slide up my chest, over my shoulders, until they’re looped around my neck.She presses closer, and I drag my hands down her sides, anchoring her to me.The smell of her shampoo, warm and floral, hits me like a punch to the ribs.
I pull back to look at her.Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes wide and bright under the porch light.She’s breathing like she just ran a sprint.
“Tomorrow?”I ask.
She smiles.“Tomorrow.”
I press one last kiss to her forehead, lingering for a heartbeat before stepping back, my hand trailing down her arm until only our fingers are touching.For the first time since I pushed her out of my house, I feel like maybe we’re on the same page.Nothing is holding me back anymore.I’m all in with Elle.
I smile as I walk down the stairs to my car and head home.
Chapter Nine
Elle
“So, I’m sorry to have to do this, but with the paper downsizing, we have to make cuts,” Tom says.
“I get it,” I tell him.
He smiles sadly, looking like he’s aged twenty years overnight.
“I really am sorry, Elle.You’re a great writer.I know you’ll land on your feet.”
“Thanks.”
I stand and shake his hand, then head to my tiny desk to pack up my things.At least half the staff is doing the same, and I have a feeling that it won’t be long before the whole paper folds.
I gather my things and leave, debating whether I should text Declan and tell him what happened.I decide against it.He’s probably getting ready for his game, and I shouldn’t distract him.
At home, I browse the job boards for a few hours, but nothing sounds interesting.
The sun starts to set, and I get ready for the hockey game.I don’t have my press badge anymore, so no press box for me.
I drive to the rink, parking in the back with a smile as I make my way with everyone else to the front doors.Finding Will Call, I grab my ticket.My stomach growls, and I decide to treat myself to something from the concession stand.
Grabbing a hot dog and a pop, I find my seat.I’m right behind the players, and I wonder how Declan was able to swing these seats on such short notice.I get settled and wait for the game to start.
When the players come out, I smile and wave as Declan looks for me.He grins, waving back.His eyes take in my casual clothes, and he raises his eyebrows in question.I give him a thumbs down and a shrug, and he mouths, ‘You’ll be okay.’
