Page 111 of This Feeling

“Oh, really?” I said, looking at him to gauge how his conversation with his mother had gone.

“Yep. She said you gave her some tough love, and then she apologized to me for trying to tell me how to live my life.”

I stopped and faced him. “She did?”

He laughed. “She did. Then she said something about bunko and kicking Judith Turner’s ass.”

It was my turn to laugh.

“I don’t know what you said to her, but thank you.”

We started to walk again. “I think Aunt Olivia helped more than I did. But I’m glad she’s seen the light, for lack of better words.”

“Let’s hope she keeps this new side of herself. I like it. I’m sure Sean will as well.”

“One can only hope.”

We walked for a few minutes in comfortable silence until Declan asked, “Do you think you could get someone to work the shop on Saturday this weekend?”

“I’m sure Aunt Olivia would, and I’ve got a new high school girl starting this week. She’s going to work each Saturday once she goes back to school. She wants to go to college for botany and loves all things plants and flowers. I think she’ll make a great addition. She’ll have a few training days before Saturday, so I’d feel comfortable leaving her and Aunt Olivia. Why?”

“I thought we could have a little staycation. There’s a place on the other side of the lake that I rented out this weekend. The weather will be beautiful, and what better way to spend it than on the lake.”

“Is the house on the lake?”

“Yep, has a boat ramp, as well. Not that I have a boat.”

Laughing, I replied, “That sounds like a lovely idea. When are you thinking of heading there?”

“I thought after the shop closes on Friday, we could head over and return Monday morning, before you have to open. That’s the great thing about having a vacation in town; we’re not far from anything.”

“I like this plan of yours.”

“Me too. I’m glad we can make it work.”

Declan unlocked the door, and we walked up the steps to our apartment. “Truth be told, I could use a few days off. With only one day off a week for the last few years, the burnout is strong.” Once inside, I kicked off my shoes and headed to the kitchen. “Beer?”

“I have something else in mind.”

Turning, I let out a small yelp. Declan wasright there. “Oh yeah? Like what?”

He placed his hand on my cheek before slowly letting it move down the side of my body, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close.

“Oh, I’ve got all kinds of ideas.”

Smiling, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’m game to try them out if you are.”

His hands moved to the front of my jeans, where he slowly unbuttoned and unzipped them. “Take these off, Harp.”

I stepped back, shimmied out of my jeans, and tossed them aside.

Declan leaned back against the counter. “Now, the panties.”

Hooking my thumbs in the waistband, I slowly peeled them down my legs and kicked them away.

Licking his lips, Declan whispered, “The shirt.”

I lifted it over my head, dropping it to the floor.

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