My stomach dropped because I knew what was coming.He was about to deliver a speech about how he really liked me and all, but he couldn’t be around me because it was too risky to his career, blah, blah, blah.I’d known this was probably where we’d end up, but that didn’t make it any less painful.
I took a deep breath and met his uneasy gaze.“It’s okay, Declan.I understand.”
He wrinkled his brow.“What is it you understand?”
“Why you can’t hang out with me.I get it.It’s okay.”
He narrowed his eyes.“You think I’m saying I don’t want to keep hanging out?”
Now it was my turn to frown.“Well, obviously.Why else would you tell me how much you like spending time with me, but then list all the reasons it’s a bad idea?”
“I guess I wasn’t as clear as I thought I was being.”He glanced around and leaned forward, lowering his voice.“I can’t talk to you about Eddie’s case.”
I laughed gruffly.“Yeah, I get that.I didn’t ask you about the case.I know how it works, Declan.”
“Okay.”He studied me as if he was looking for some sort of tell.“And you still want to hang out with me?Even though I’m not going to give you any details about the case?”
“I’m sorry.”I gave a confused laugh.“Are you under the impression I’ve spent time with you to get information on Eddie’s case?”
He shrugged.“Well, it’s not inconceivable.”
“Even though I’ve never asked you about the case either of the times we had dinner together?”I stared at him for a second, trying to decide if he was serious.“Have you just been waiting for me to ask stuff?Is that it?You actually thought I was pretending to enjoy your company so I could eventually get some details about the case?”
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Feeling hurt, I asked, “Do you think I’m that devious?”
Guilt shifted through his eyes.“Devious isn’t the word I’d use.”
“Jesus, Declan.I… I honestly don’t know what to say.”
He swore under his breath.“You’re misunderstanding me.”
I laughed harshly, scooting back my chair, and stood.“I actually don’t think I am.”
“Spencer.”He stood too, and he moved closer to me.“I wasn’t trying to insult you,” he rasped.
“Well, you did,” I retorted, pulling my wallet out of my back pocket.
“I swear, I wasn’t trying to do that.”He surprised me when he took hold of my arm and said near my ear, “The truth is, I wastryingto invite you back to my place.”
CHAPTER SIX
Declan
Spencer stared at me.His mouth was slightly open and his blue eyes were wide with shock.He was still standing, his chair pushed back.The restaurant noises hummed around us, but it felt like we were in our own little world.
“You want to invite me back to your place,” he repeated slowly, as if testing whether the words made sense when he said them.
“Yeah.”My heart was hammering, but I kept my voice steady.“If you want to.”
He laughed, a short, bewildered sound.“I thought you were straight.”
“I’m not.”
He blinked.“Since when?”
“Since always.”I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling exposed in a way I hadn’t anticipated.I’d imagined this going smoother.“I’m bisexual.I just didn’t advertise it in Portland.”
