“Welcome back to the land of the living, Shakespeare,” he says, resting his hands behind his head.
“Did I pass out?” I ask.
“Possibly,” he replies. “You took a long time to catch your breath.”
My skin is still tingling. “Jesus, Dec. Have you ever done that before?”
“No. I take it I did well?”
I break out into laughter and cover my face in embarrassment. Declan only chuckles at my side, a gleaming smile of pride on his face.
And just like that, we’re us again. It’s casual and comfortable, and I don’t have to worry about being rejected, used, or hurt. Because Declan is my best friend, and he always will be.
Chapter Eighteen
Declan
Four days until the wedding
The front of my house has turned into a car park. Why in God’s name anyone would have an engagement party four days before a wedding, I’ll never understand. I swear these people will look for any excuse to party.
I’m hiding out back, enjoying a smoke, when I hear my sister scurrying around the side of the house to find me. I roll my eyes when she comes barreling around the corner.
“I thought you quit!” she snaps, stealing the half-smoked cig from my fingers and throwing it into the gravel. As she stomps it with her shoe, I glower at her impatiently.
“And here I thought I was a fully grown man.”
Waving me off, she asks, “How are things going?”
“Well, let’s see. The blood sacrifice is at four, orgy is at six, and then at eight, we’re driving all of the cars into the loch. So you’re just in time.”
“I’m being serious, Declan,” she says with a head tilt.
“What, Anna? What could possibly go wrong? It’s a wedding.The two most important people are alive and accounted for. I mean, what else does this event really need?”
“Did you order the flowers? Pick the cake? What about their tuxes? Did you send them in to be pressed? We have a steamer in the back if you need it because it might be too late—”
“For Christ’s sake, Anna. Will you relax? Everything is fine. And you can’t be meddling. I’m supposed to be doing this by myself,” I say with a sigh.
“Aye, but you’re not over there. You’re out here.”
“Och, fine!” With a huff, I stomp toward the party behind the house. It’s an intimate affair, mostly with friends who are almost all high-maintenance celebrities.
There’s an entire waitstaff handling the food and drinks, so I don’t know what she wants me to do. Anna and I stop in the periphery of the party and watch to be sure everything is going smoothly.
Immediately, my eyes catch on Colin at Pierce’s side. The American has his hand on Colin’s back as if he’s holding him in place, and I feel something in me tighten.
Anna turns to look at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she murmurs.
“I’m fine,” I mutter as I turn away and walk toward the house.
“Yo, Barclay!”
I freeze in my tracks as the party goes silent, all eyes on my back, I’m sure. The American actor’s voice carries across the garden, and after a deep breath, I turn to face him.
“Yes, Mr. Hall. How can I help you?”
Anna stiffens by my side.
