“You’ve been texting all week?”
I shake my head. “No, which is for the better, as maybe a Declan detox is good for me. We had a…” I can’t even describe it.
Charlotte indicates to the waitress for another round of drinks by circling her finger between us and giving her best beaming smile, but Charlotte quickly diverts her attention back to me. “So, you just did the whole friends-with-benefits thing for a week and expect to move on?”
“Why not? You do it all the time,” I challenge.
Charlotte chides with a sound. “That’s because I don’t ever see myself being in a long-term relationship. I don’t believe we are made to be tied down to one person. You, on the other hand, moved to freaking nowhere just so you can take part in family dinners at your brother’s house until you find Mr. Right and push out your own little monsters of joy.”
I’m quick to justify. “I’m on a break from trying to find Prince Charming.”
Charlotte grabs my own drink to sip. “No, you’re not. Your thoughts still dream away, and since there are no prospects in town, then you allow yourself to have fun, but as soon as you realize that the future father of your kiddos is right in front of you, then I’m sure you will be hoping for the chance.”
“Exactly. Declan isn’t relationship material, plus Ford would freaking lose it.”
Charlotte widens her arms, causing my drink to spill slightly over her hand. “Oh my God, the brother’s-friend angle is hot. Totally forgot about that. Probably adds a layer to the sex appeal.”
“I mean…” My face must make an odd look. “You’re not wrong.”
The waitress returns with our new round of drinks, and I’m eager to get a sip of my fresh cranberry cocktail.
“Do you really think that Declan is a no-go on the list of future prospects?”
I nearly cough up my drink. “Yes. He has stated it a few times that he can’t be more than a fuck buddy and that was for a week. Besides, now he’s busy with owning a team, which will entail travel, and he can’t even decide on house purchases or what his next few months will look like. Imagine where a woman would come into that.”
Charlotte nurses her fresh martini and leans back on the lounge chair. “Nothing happened to make you think maybe it could be more?”
His warm glances, the way our fingers entwined, the movement of our bodies as one flawless fit, natural conversation, laughter, and my chest fluttering. “Nope,” I lie and drink from my glass to distract my thoughts.
“Okay, I just… I don’t know. Everyone wants to see a gamechanger where the player turns lovestruck.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t we all, but I will just guard my little heart, thank you very much.”
Charlotte’s phone dings, and she picks it up from the table to view. “A friend is nearby; I’m just going to mention that we’re here in case they want to drop by. I think if we aim to be at the club by ten, then that should be good.”
“Sure. I probably need to grab something to eat if I hope to have any chance of pacing myself.”
“For sure, the food here is to die for. Let’s order a bunch of appetizers.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’ve ordered and are talking about planning a girls’ getaway, when Charlotte throws on a leer that I recognize from our college days as flirty to someone over my shoulder. She is quick to stand and welcome her friend with open arms, and I instantly recognize that it’s Brent. It’s not too surprising, as they do hang out, amongst other things.
“There you are,” he greets her and kisses her cheek, pulling her close, and I swear he squeezes her ass in the process. He looks at me with a suave grin. “Hey, Violet, it’s been a while. I’m sure you remember Declan.” He winks at me.
On cue, Declan appears at his side, and instantly my body feels transfixed. Like Brent, Declan is wearing a dress shirt, blazer, and dark jeans, with no tie, which means the top buttons are undone, and I could drool over the peek of his chest. Declan’s piercing blue eyes strike my own, and his grin is perhaps the smoothest of the two men.
I stand because I was the only one sitting, but it gives ample opportunity for Declan to snake his arm around my middle and pull me close into a side hug. He presses a kiss on my cheek, near my ear, which sends a sensitive vibration all the way to my toes.
“Vi,” he speaks my name with so much possession and heat.
It feels like everyone is staring at me, probably because I’m flushed. “I wasn’t expecting you here. Thought I would only see you tomorrow.” I smile.
“Truthfully, I didn’t know you would be here until I was two blocks away and Brent got a text from Charlotte asking if he wanted to meet for drinks.”
Charlotte reaches out to touch my arm. “I swear I thought Brent was flying solo tonight.” I hear the sincerity in her tone.
“Don’t want me here?” Declan teases me and ignores any response that I may have as he’s guiding us to sit down. We both find ourselves seated tightly next to one another on the oversized chair, albeit a chair built only for one.
I nervously tuck some of my hair behind my ear. “It’s actually a nice surprise. We just ordered a bunch of appetizers and are enjoying our drinks.”
