I typed out a quick reply.
Me: Be right there. Have to make a quick stop.
After taking one last look in my dresser mirror, I pocketed my phone, grabbed some money out of my purse, and headed out the door. The sun was out full force, and I could already feel the sweat dripping down my back. It also didn’t help that I was slightly nervous showing up on Declan’s doorstep. We hadn’t spoken since he walked me home the other night where he avoided all my personal questions. I hoped to remedy that today and show him I could be a good friend who knew how to listen and not judge. Declanseemed like he could use someone to talk to; staying cooped up in his house had to be lonely.
My heart raced faster the further I walked up Declan’s driveway. When I got to the door, I took a deep breath and pressed the bell. A few seconds passed by, and more followed. I tried to listen for footsteps, but there was nothing. I rang the bell again and my stomach deflated. Either he wasn’t home, or he was avoiding me. I was hoping it was the former.
He could already be at the festival, but I highly doubted it. Not unless Linda made him go with her. She was a very persuasive woman. That woman never took no for an answer.
I backed away and was about to walk toward town when I heard quick thumps coming toward the door. The breath hitched in my lungs as I watched the door open, revealing a bare-chested Declan wearing only khaki shorts that hung low on his hips. His hair and skin were wet as if he just stepped out of the shower, and I couldn’t stop my eyes as they watched a rivulet of water drip down his muscled chest.
He opened the door wider and smiled, his gaze raking down my body. “Looks like someone went all out for the holiday. You look festive.”
I winked. “It’s the Fourth of July. This is what Iwear every year to celebrate.” I stepped toward the door. “Which is why I’m here. I want you to come to the festival with me.” Declan sighed, and I could tell he was about to come up with an excuse not to go. Before he could speak, I held up a hand. “I promise it’ll be fun. And if you tell me no, I won’t go, either.”
Declan shook his head and laughed; that was a good sign.
“Are you always this difficult?” he asked.
My grin widened. “Always. It’s part of my charm. Also, if I’m not seen in town, people will show up on my doorstep asking why I’m not there. I’ll have no choice but to say it’s your fault. You’ll be blacklisted, for sure.”
Declan leaned against the doorframe, his smile making everything in my body tighten in ways I haven’t felt in a long time.
“Well, we can’t have that, can we?” he teased. “I’d hate for everyone to bring out the pitchforks.”
I shook my head. “Nope. And they will, too.”
Declan stepped back inside his house and chuckled. “Give me two minutes to finish getting dressed. I’ll be right out.”
“Sounds good. I’ll wait out here.” He left the door open, thinking I was probably going to walkinside. I really wanted to go in to see what it was like, but I resisted the urge.
Then again, it literally only took him two minutes to finish up and join me.
“Are we walking, or do you want me to drive?” he questioned, staring at me as he locked his front door.
I shrugged. “Walk? That way, if we happen to get some drinks, we can just stumble back.”
His grin was so sexy when he laughed. “I’m fine with that. Let’s go.”
We started down the road, and I could already hear the music and the people chattering from half a mile away.
“We don’t have to stay the whole time,” I said to Declan. “When it comes time for the fireworks, you can see them anywhere in Magnolia Grove. We can watch them in my backyard. Maybe even sit by the pool?”
“I’m following your lead, Ayla. I just don’t want you getting in trouble with the townsfolk. I can’t have their beloved dentist not enjoying the festivities.”
He bumped me playfully with his shoulder, and it warmed my heart. A part of me was afraid I’d show up at his door and get the grumpy Declan Imet that first day. I was happy to see some warmth in his eyes.
When we arrived in town, there were people everywhere. If this freaked Declan out, he didn’t show it. He smiled and said hello to everyone who acknowledged him.
It wasn’t long before I saw my parents, surrounded by their many friends. My mother spotted us and waved her hands excitedly in the air.
Declan chuckled under his breath. “If I had my guess, I’d say that’s your mother,” he said, nodding toward the group. “You look just like her.”
And we did. We were the same height, and I had her chocolate brown hair and green eyes.
“You’re right,” I confirmed, reassuringly wrapping my arm around his. My father noticed us and waved. “And that’s my dad,” I added. “The tall one with the head full of gray hair waving at us.”
Declan glanced down at my arm, holding him close. “Afraid I’m going to run off?”
