Page 23 of In this Moment

“Me?”

She nodded with a soft smile. “You’ve always had so much love to give and you gave it freely to the world with your foundation. But when it came to love…well…you’ve always seemed a little closed off to the idea. I wasn’t sure you were ever going to let yourself get to that place and allow love into your heart.”

His mom was exactly right. Maybe even more so than she even knew. But there was no way he was going to tell her that because despite the engagement, he still felt thatway.

“But, I guess I was wrong.” She laughed and the solemn moment was over. She slapped her knees and stood. “And as far as your brothers go, they’ll be fine. All you need to worry about now is you and Evie and that little boy of hers. That should be your prioritynow.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

She gave him a hug and left him alone to think about what she’dsaid.

It wasn’t until later, after he’d gotten in his car, foregoing the option to go back inside and see if his brothers were in fact fine, and on his way to Evie’s that he realized although his mother hadn’t been upset with him, she also hadn’t congratulated him either.

“Good morning.” Evie stood next to the foot of the couch and held out a steaming cup of coffee. She felt bad about making him sleep on the couch the night before, but she’d been taken off guard when he’d arrived at her doorstep and told her he needed a place to crash for the night.

In hindsight, it made perfect sense for him to be there. Especially now since she had a ring on her finger and likely by sundown last night the entire town would have heard about the proposal.

If she was honest with herself, having him sleep on the couch was more about reminding herself that the ring on her finger wasn’t real and that everything he’d said to her when he’d proposed had been acting. Evie needed the reminder, because dammit if her heart hadn’t flipped a little bit when he’d kneeled down and slipped the diamond on her finger.

Okay, it had flipped alot.

She watched him as he rubbed his eyes and stretched his neck. No doubt he’d have some kinks to work out. She’d fallen asleep on the couch a few times in the past, and it definitely wasn’t the comfiest place to sleep. Finally he sat up, looked at her and smiled.

“Well, isn’t that the best way to wake up?” He took the offered cup of coffee. “A beautiful woman and a hot cup of coffee. I can’t think of anything better.” He inhaled deeply and took asip.

“I wasn’t sure how you drank it.” There were a million things Evie wasn’t sure about. “I guessed.”

“Black.” He nodded his confirmation. “It’s perfect. Thankyou.”

Evie twisted her hands awkwardly. Unsure of what to say or how to proceed or…of anything, really. “I’m sorry about the couch,” she said. “I know it’s not the most comfortable place to sleep, but I didn’t—”

“It’s fine.” Declan stood and stretched his long, lean frame. “I probably shouldn’t have just shown up like that. I guess we’ll have a few things to workout.”

She nodded, grateful that he understood. But why wouldn’t he? Declan understood everything. He was unbelievably compassionate and giving and…no. She needed to stop thinking of him that way. They were friends. This was an arrangement.

But thatkiss.

Reliving their kiss had kept her up last night. Playing back in her head. The way his lips felt. The way he’d tasted. The way his arms held her protectively.

She blushed just looking at him, remembering how her fantasies had progressed as she’d laid awake in her bed with him in the nextroom.

Evie turned away and swallowed hard. “I’ll make some breakfast. There are fresh towels in the bathroom if you want to freshen up first.”

“Perfect. I have a change of clothes in the car.” She turned to look at himin question and he laughed. “It’s an old habit from being on the road so much. I always keep a backpack ready to go. It’s come in handy more than once over the years working all over the place.”

Of course.

“Jonah probably won’t be up for another hour or so. I thought it would be a good idea ifyou…”

Her words trailed off because he took a step toward her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Why was she so nervous with him now? Nothing had changed betweenthem.

Or everything had changed.

“Don’t worry.” He squeezed her shoulder gently while his thumb moved in circles on her bare skin. “We’ll figure out how this is going towork.”

She nodded.

“Just don’t worry, okay?”

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