“They don’t know anyone in our lives.”
“But they’re in addition to Beyoncé, Aretha, and Tina, who already knew we were married.And when that many people know a secret, it’s guaranteed to spread like wildfire.”
“The ladies at the Mariah Carey Chapel of Love are professionals.They have no reason to blab about their customers.But I gotta admit I wish Whitney Houston was working today because I just love her.”
I stare at him, incredulous.
He grabs me in his arms, kisses me, and starts dancing with me on the sidewalk while singing, “’Cause I’m saving all my love for you!”
“I’m having a panic attack.”
“I’d tell you to breathe but I think you’d hurt me if I did.”
I laugh.
Dammit, he did it.He can always make me laugh, always make me feel better.
“You’ll use your big bucks to fix this, make it all go away.When we get home, I’ll stay in my cabin, and you’ll stay in your house.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Declan says, then spins me on the sidewalk while he sings, “If I should stay, I’d only be in your way!”
I smile, despite myself.Why am I so angry?Why did I snap in there?What’s going on with me?
“Your phone’s ringing.”
I dig my phone out of my pocket.
“No.No.No.No.No,” I moan.“Your family’s FaceTiming me!”
“Be calm.They won’t suspect a thing.”
I hand him the phone.“I can’t lie.I’m not a liar.You take the call.You’re a great liar.”
“Gee, thanks,” he says and takes the phone.“Okay.Let’s sell this.They won’t ever guess.”
CHAPTER 29
Summer
“Hey, folks!”Declan greets his entire family in his normal happy-go-lucky way.I try to smile next to him, but I’m a terrible liar, and I just know one of them is going to figure me out.
Everyone’s on the call except for Jasmine and, of course, Evander and Phoebe.I see Jamie, Phyllis, Cal and Victoria, Finn and Emma, and a bored-looking Special K.
Phyllis in particular is studying me.She has the most advanced bullshit radar of any human being I’ve ever known.I take a step to the side to half-hide behind Declan.
“Hey, bonehead,” Cal growls.“Evander gave you the slip.”
“I’ve tracked him down by hacking into his shaver,” Finn tells Declan.
“He’s in Mexico,” Jamie says.
“Honduras,” Victoria corrects him.
“Can you fly to Honduras?”Phyllis asks.
“If they’re eloping, they probably already did it,” Emma says.
“Just forget it,” Cal grumbles.
