Page 110 of This Feeling

“Sorry we’re late. We got tied up,” Declan said, squeezing my hand. I could feel my face burn and prayed that no one else noticed. Our trivia warm-up involved Declan tying me to the bed and having his wicked way with me. He said he had a lot of missed time to make up, from when he was forced to relax and recover.

Brystol winked. “No worries, we haven’t started yet.”

Declan pulled my chair out for me, and as I sat, I caught a glimpse of Liam across the room. “Liam’s here?”

Nathan, who was sitting next to Declan, nodded. “Yeah. Hope’s sister Mary is back in town, so Liam came in to catch up on some work.”

“How’s Hope doing?” I asked.

Nathan smiled. “She’s feeling a little better. We’re really hopeful.”

“That’s wonderful!” I said, as I reached for his hand and squeezed it.

“Declan, Harper, this is Roger,” Brystol introduced. “He’s friends with Denny, and he just moved to Lake Placid recently.”

Reaching his hand out, Declan said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Same. I’ve heard a lot about you all,” Roger said before shaking my hand. “Nice to meet you, Harper.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” I replied, looking from Roger to Brystol, who simply grinned.

The rest of the evening was spent laughing, drinking, and enjoying time with our friends. Now and then, Declan and I would catch one another’s gaze, and for those moments, it felt like it was just the two of us. Our group didn’t end up winning trivia night, it was another group of people from Florida who were all here for a family reunion. But no one seemed to mind.

“That was fun, as usual,” I said, as I hugged Brystol and Evelyn goodbye. Turning, I looked for Cadie and Aurora. They were talking to James and Gavin’s dates.

“Who’s the girl with Gavin?” Brystol asked quietly, so only I could hear.

“Um, I believe they’re both waitresses at Main Street Café. Declan said they go in a lot for lunch there.”

She nodded.

“Why, Brystol? Are you jealous that Gavin’s on a date?”

She scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m on a date myself. I was just curious, that’s all.”

I raised a brow. “Just curious, huh?”

“Yep.”

Glancing behind me, I saw Evelyn and Denny saying goodbye to Declan. I focused back on Brystol. “Have you thought any more about what Evelyn and Denny asked you?”

For a second, she seemed confused, then her eyes snapped over to her two friends. “To be honest, no. They haven’t brought it up, either. I think they don’t want to pressure me, but I’ve kind of pushed it from my mind.”

“Brystol, you’re going to have to give them an answer. Don’t you think they deserve to be able to move on if you decline? Find someone else who’s willing to carry their child for them?”

She dug her teeth into her lower lip and nodded. “You’re right.”

Roger walked up to us and smiled. “You ready to head on out?”

Brystol forced a smile. “Yep! See you later, Harp.”

I nodded. “See ya. It was nice to meet you, Roger.”

“You, as well.”

After saying our goodbyes to everyone, Declan and I walked hand in hand down Main Street…back toourapartment. He’d moved out of the apartment above Memory Lane Toys a couple weeks back, and officially moved in with me. It was bliss to wake up and go to sleep with Declan by my side every single day.

“I talked to my mom earlier today. She told me about her chat with you.”

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