Page 25 of In this Moment

“No,” she said again, praying that her voice wasn’t shaking. She was only barely holding on to her emotions. “I’m not talking about it with you right now. Russ, my lawyer, will handleit.”

“Evie.” He took a step toward her. “I think maybe you and I could—”

“Smells good in here, babe.”

She didn’t see him come into the kitchen, but the sound of Declan’s voice behind her was a welcome relief. A moment later, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against his very hard, very bare chest, still damp from the shower he’d obviously just come from. It took her a moment to realize he was only wearing a towel around his waist, a fact that would have registered far differently if Tony hadn’t been standing there.

Declan nuzzled briefly into her neck and whispered, “It’s okay,” before placing a tender kiss below her ear. He straightened up, and with one arm still wrapped protectively around Evie, he offered Tony his free hand. “Declan McCormick, Evie’s fiancé.” He shook his head with an easy laugh. “That feels so good tosay.”

Tony, obviously taken off guard, took a moment to recover before he took Declan’s hand. “Tony Clarke, Jonah’sdad.”

Evie flinched, but Dec didn’t miss abeat.

“Ah yes. I did hear something about you wanting to meet your sonnow.”

He delivered the line with such ease that all Tony could do was stammer out a weak, “Yes.”

“Oh, babe. Smells like the eggs aredone.”

She immediately felt the loss of his heat against her when he moved to the stove to take the pan with the obviously ruined eggs off, but she was consoled by the view of Declan from the back in only a towel. Fake fiancé or not, he was damned nice to lookat.

“Looks like breakfast is ready.” Declan turned to Tony, who still stood, dumbfounded, by the door. “Is there something else you need today?”

“Dream Puff’s?” Tony looked at Evie for confirmation.

She nodded. “Eleven.”

“Okay.” Seemingly recovered from Declan’s interruption, Tony flashed a toothy grin. “See youthen.”

As soon as he left, Declan crossed the room and wrapped her up in a hug. Evie didn’t even realize she was shaking until Declan’s arms held her tight. He didn’t say anything, just held her, and she drew strength she didn’t know she needed from his embrace.

He didn’t rush her, and when she was ready, she pulledback.

“So, Dream Puff’s at eleven?”

“You don’t have togo.”

“Yes.” He looked her straight in the eyes. “I do. Besides, I want to be there.” He reached for her and cupped her chin with his hand. It was a move so gentle and so intimate, Evie wanted to close her eyes and sink into it. “I told you I would help you, Evie.” His thumb rubbed lightly on her skin. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do. We’re in this together. I’m not going to leave you alone inthis.”

She closed her eyes and for the briefest moment allowed herself to believe it was real. That Declan really was her fiancé and all of this wasreal.

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