Am I imagining the slight emphasis on Cal’s name?
“No. Cal and I don’t live together. He lives in Nashville.”
Why did I just tell him that?
Declan’s jaw tightens, and he takes a step closer. “Does Cal know he’s your boyfriend, Bree?” The way he says my name makes my stomach flip.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure you do.” His voice drops lower. “You introduced me to a boyfriend who doesn’t even live in the same state as you. Onewho looked about as comfortable with that label as a cat in water.”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
“That’s what I thought.” He steps back. “Well, it was good seeing you. Tell Cal I said hello.”
Declan heads down the stairs without looking back.
As I step into the chamber offices, I’m frustrated with myself for lying to him at Hank & Lulu’s. I just panicked. It’s not every day you run into the stranger you made out with on a girls’ trip back home. I hand the envelope to the receptionist, and when I turn to leave, a picture gallery catches my eye.
I step closer to see a plaque featuring Wilder Industries. It’s a commemoration of their 10-year anniversary that includes a picture of a much younger Declan and who I assume are his two brothers. The donation to the chamber reads “In memory of Jason and Carly Wilder.” The adult in the photo is the man who was with Declan earlier today.
The weight of the memorial plaque feels heavier than it should, and as I walk back down those narrow stairs where Declan’s touch still burns on my skin, I know that he at least deserves the truth from me.
Chapter 4
Declan
My phone pings, and when I see the name on my watch screen, I smile, though it doesn’t quite reach my insides.
Supermarket Zara: Hi! It was nice meeting you earlier. Interested in drinks this week?
Me: How about tonight? Meet me at Kaleidoscope? 6:30?
Supermarket Zara: My hotel’s Urban Blue. That would be great.
Me: Looking forward to it, Zara.
Supermarket Zara: Me too, Declan.
I change her contact name to simply ‘Zara.’ I haven’t been on a date since Austin, which isn’t exactly unusual, but I haven’t eventried since kissing Bree. When I saw her at Hank & Lulu’s earlier, a spark of joy instantly filled me.
Then I met Cal. Her fake boyfriend.
It was so obvious from the petrified look of disgust on the guy’s features as I walked up. He played his part, but not very well. Still, I don’t mess with other men’s partners, fake or not.
So, when I stopped by the grocery store afterward to grab more coffee and waters for my office, Zara from the supermarket was just who I needed to meet. Tall, dark, exotic. She’s in town on business, though she didn’t say what. Looking forward to finding out tonight.
Having parked two blocks over, I head down the sidewalk toward my truck, my steel toe boots shuffling against the concrete. Traffic is steady since the historical district draws tourists. Why is it that an image of Bree pops into my head right after I confirm drinks with another woman. The Austin beauty made it clear that she’s not into me. Twice, I might add. But the spark of heat in Bree’s eyes at seeing me on the stairwell tells me there’s still something there.
Not that I’m going to do anything about it.
My watch dings again. The Wild Ones.
Wild Ones Text Chain
Ford:
Gunnar:
