Page 18 of This Feeling

“It’s Moose Village, Sean. Not New York City,” Declan stated.

“I thought you didn’t know what you wanted to do?” Maddie said.

Declan looked at his mother with a sheepish smile. “I wanted to wait a few days before I told you. I knew you’d be worried.”

Sean huffed.

“I worry about you boys no matter what, so it’s a moot point.”

“A moo-point,” I said with a giggle. When all eyes turned to me, my smile faded. “I take it we don’t have anyFriendsfans at the table.”

Sean, Matt, and Maddie all frowned, while the corner of Declan’s mouth twitched with a hidden smile.

I wiped my mouth and set my napkin on the table when no one said anything. “Maddie, let me clear these dishes for you.”

She smiled. “Thank you, Harper. That’s very sweet of you.”

My eyes met hers. Why was she being so nice? If she were finally accepting me as Sean’s girlfriend, that would really stink. I mean, yay for me winning her over, butboowhen we eventually fake break up.

After clearing the table and getting the dishes in the dishwasher, I looked toward the living room, wondering if I could slip away without anyone noticing I was gone.

“Don’t do it.”

Turning, I let out a small yelp and placed a hand over my heart. “Declan, you scared me.”

He flashed me his brilliant smile and made his way farther into the kitchen. “I saw the way you were looking longingly at the front door. If you sneak away, my mother will wonder why.”

I sighed. “It’s just been a long day, and I’m ready to get home.”

He nodded and leaned against the counter, placing his hands to the sides, slightly behind him, and grabbing the counter. The motion caused his arm muscles to flex, and I had to force myself to look away.

“How have you been, Harper?”

Wiping my hands on a dish towel, I shrugged. “Good. Busy with the flower shop. My mother retired and gave it to me to run a few years ago.”

His brows lifted. “Wow, that’s wonderful. You always did like flowers.”

I smiled and quickly searched my memory for any occasion Declan would have known I liked flowers. When I couldn’t come up with anything, I said, “I have. It’s my happy place…the flower shop.”

He smiled.

“What made you decide it was time to get out of the Marines?”

His smile slowly faded. “It was just time. I’m not getting any younger, and my work was…” His words faded as he searched for what he was trying to say.

“Dangerous? Strenuous? Treacherous?”

Laughing, he said, “Aren’t all of those the same as dangerous?”

I nodded as a small chuckle slipped free. “Maybe, but I couldn’t think of what else to say.”

“It was time for me to reenlist and I opted to come home. Set down some roots and maybe start a family.”

The way those last four words played havoc with my thoughts was disturbing. “A family?”

Declan shrugged. “Someday, I hope.”

I glanced down and moved my foot back and forth, as if sweeping something away.

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