“Do you want me to put my schedule on the fridge?” he asks me. “That way, you’ll know when I’m going to be out of town.”
“That would be great,” I say. “Then I won’t worry about you if you don’t come home.”
“We could exchange schedules,” he suggests. “I’m the same way—I’d like to know you’re safe.”
“I love this idea,” I say, and that would have been appropriate if I’d stopped there, but instead, I stumble into overshare. “Ever since my mom was killed, I’m extra anxious if I don’t hear from a loved one. I just like to know everyone’s okay.”
Loved one??I mentally slap my forehead.
Luckily, Declan’s attention is focused on the first part of what I said. “Your mom was killed?”
“Yes. By a drunk driver.” I hesitate and then add, “He was put in prison for life. It wasn’t his first offense, which is unfortunately far too common.”
“Shit.” Declan’s features tighten like he’s in pain. “I’m so sorry, Mia.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
“I promise to never leave you hanging,” he says with sincerity. “I’ll text if I’m running late.”
His concern means a lot, but I try to stay casual. “Don’t stress yourself out over my quirks. I’m sure as we learn each other’s patterns, all of this will feel relatively normal.”
Except for the fact that I want to jump Declan’s bones right now.
I take a deep breath and then go for it. “The kiss,” I begin awkwardly. “At the altar?”
“What about it?” His face is expressionless.
I chicken out. “Never mind.”
With his gaze averted, he jumps up. “I promised Luke I’d help him set up the house for all the guests staying overnight.”
I can tell he’s lying. He just wants to get some space from me.
“I’m not sure what time I’ll be back,” he says. “Are you okay to settle in?”
“Of course.”
“Your keys are here.” He taps the coffee table, and for the first time, I notice a set of keys on a horse key chain. “And when I leave, you should set the alarm.” He rattles off the numbers. “Spells hockey backward.”
I smile. “That makes it easy to remember.”
He’s across the room and has his hand on the doorknob before he turns back. “Mia?”
“Yeah?”
“The kiss was real.”
My mouth drops open.
He turns back around so fast I don’t have time to answer him. Then, he opens the door, and he’s gone.
* * *
Declan
I avoid going back into the tent. I head into the main house and go straight for the den where I know I can be alone.
Except I’m not alone.
