"Aw. He’s adorable." The dog nudges my hand to pat him. I crouch down and give him a scruff. "Look at your big brown eyes and scrappy fur. So cute."
"See.Everyonelikes the dog." Beck snaps at Declan. "Why are you such a grump all the time?"
I look at the dog, then at Declan’s stony, shirtless disapproval of the current situation.
And I make a decision.
Show him who's boss. Don't take his shit.
“Mason, I think he clearly likes you,” I say, my voice calm. I look right at Declan, while still talking to Mason. “I think it's so kind of you to give him shelter while you try to find his owner. You have such a big heart.”
Declan’s eyes narrow into slits of blue suspicion. “You're just saying that to piss me off.”
“Am I?” I sing, tilting my head and batting my lashes. “Or am I simply recognizing Mason’s exceptional capacity for compassion? Honestly, Declan, you should be proud to have a brother with such a giving spirit.”
The dog, as if on cue, plops down directly on Mason’s foot.
Declan’s nostrils flare. “Don't you have someworkto do, Whitfield?”
"Oh, absolutely." I smile sweetly. "But you know how it is when you're just awomantrying to figure out her place in a new job."
I pause and let thewomanjab land. It lands like a slap. Right across his smug face.
"Sometimes a girl's gotta recharge with iced coffee and brunch in the sunshine," I finish with a wink.
Then, after a moment of silence, Beckhowlswith laughter, doubling over and slapping his knee.
“OH MY GOD! SHE GOT YOU! SHE FUCKING GOT YOU!”
Mason’s lips twitch into the faintest, rarest smile, and Darcy smirks right into her iced coffee.
Declan’s entire body goes rigid. His eyes lock with mine, and the look in them is pure, undilutedfury.
My heart hammers against my ribs.
“Oh man,” Beck wheezes, wiping a tear from his eye. “I like this girl. She has bite. We’re totally keeping her.” He snaps his neck around and glares at Declan. "Andthe dog."
"So it's settled." Mason stands, the dog circling his legs happily. “I’ll take him to the vet. Get him checked out. If no one there knows anything, I'll bring him home.”
“YES!We’re keeping him!” Beck sings, following Mason as he starts walking toward a parked Range Rover. “What are we naming him? Sergeant Snacks? Admiral Fluff?Chops?!”
“We’re NOT naming him!” Declan barks, but they’re already gone, the dog trotting happily between them, leaving Declan standing alone with me and Darcy on the boardwalk.
He turns back to us and sighs.
For a second, I think he might say something. Perhaps even apologize and acknowledge the colossalasshe’s been all fucking day.
Instead, his gaze sweeps over me one last time, lingering on my mouth like he’s remembering the same thing I am. Then he turns and walks away without a word.
Darcy watches him go, then looks at me. “You handled that perfectly.”
"You think?" I let out a shaky breath. “I think I just made it worse.”
“Exactly,” Darcy says, a smile spreading across her face. “Worse means now he’s paying attention.”
Chapter 4
Declan
