Page 81 of Solid Ground

“What’s up with her?”

He shrugs. “She’s new. This is her first big movie. I’m sure she’s heard stories, but half the stuff out there about me isn’t true. I might have had a few drinks while on set, but I never screwed the crew—or my co-stars.”

My heart leaps. “She’s gorgeous. She doesn’t need to?—”

“No, she doesn’t. But either way, I’m not interested.” Hetakes my hand in his and runs his thumb across my knuckle. “Not when I have perfection at home.”

My cheeks burn. We haven’t had sex since Daisy’s birth, and Declan has been nothing but patient. I just haven’t felt comfortable in my own body.

“Anyway, are you hungry? I’ll stay here with Daisy if you want to go and have a look and grab something. Then I’ll go.”

I nod. “Sounds good.”

After making my way to the food trucks, I walk along, looking at the choices until I come to the lasagna. My mouth waters at the thought of pasta and cheese.

“Oh, that’s way too many carbs for me.” Hadley’s right behind me and I bristle.

“Breastfeeding burns throughsomany calories.” I smile.

She gives me a sharp nod.

Yeah, I’ve got a connection to Declan that no one else will ever have.

I take my plate and make my way back to our table, making sure to place a kiss on Declan’s lips when I sit down.

“Go get some food. Don’t eat too many carbs. Hadley doesn’t approve.”

His eyebrows nearly take off into orbit. “What?”

“It’s okay. The way Daisy eats, I’ll have burned this off by afternoon tea.”

He chuckles and places a kiss on my temple as I raise my fork to take my first bite. “Love you.”

“You too.” I moan when I slide that first mouthful in. His eyes are on my lips as I chew and swallow. “God, that is to die for.”

“Maybe I should invite you to lunch every day. I could just watch you eat.”

I laugh and slap his arm softly. “Go and get your food.”

He returns with his own plate of lasagna, and I look up to see Hadley watching us. It’s sad. If that’s the way she thinks she’s going to get ahead, she’s sorely mistaken.

Dark thoughts swirl in my head about Declan being tempted, but then I watch him and he only has eyes for our daughter, and then he turns them on me.

“Have you had a good day?” he asks.

I nod. “So far, so good. She was a bit fussy this morning, but she did one of those man burps and then smiled at me.”

He chuckles. “That kid’s got to be the biggest burper ever. That’smydaughter.”

I grin. “Only you would be proud of that.”

“Thank you for coming to see me. It really does make my day.” He leans over and pecks me on the lips. “If I had my way, I’d have you two here all the time with me.”

“I think I’d go mad. At least at home I can watch the daytime soaps. And I get visitors.”

He takes a bite of his lunch as he nods. “You know, movie aside, I think the best thing we could ever have done is make friends with Josh and his crowd. It’s been good for you.”

I scoop another generous mouthful onto my fork. “It has. They make me feel at home. The only person missing is Caitlin. I wish we got more time together.”

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