Page 32 of Only You

“Her parents told me you footed the bill for their hotel room.”

It would be a long time before he would get their devastated looks out of his head. “It was the least that I could do.”

“No,” she shook her head before facing him. “It isn’t the least you could do. Sending a card. That would be the least you could do. You made sure that they had arrangements. I know there’s so much to deal with in a situation like this. Having one less thing to worry about is golden.”

“You speak from experience.”

“No.” She turned to face her food again. “Not personally. But I’ve had to deal with family members. It never gets easier telling people. At least, those who aren’t suspects.”

He hadn’t even thought about that, probably because Irene’s parents were not suspects. “Does that happen a lot with family? They’re suspects?”

Declan knew that a lot of entertainment might have that as a plot point, but he always wondered how close to reality it was.

“More often than not, it’s someone very close to the victim.”

He nodded and let her eat for a few moments. The quiet didn’t bother him, not with Eileen there, but also the cozy feel of the house.

“Let’s leave that alone so you don’t compromise the investigation’s integrity.”

“Okay.”

“Tell me why you were surprised by my reaction to how you’re dressed.”

“Not important.”

There was something in her voice, something that told him that this was something she’d dealt with in the past. “Oh, I think it’s very important.”

“Listen.”

“I’m all ears.”

She nibbled on her lower lip, which made him want to kiss her. God, this woman was driving him insane, but the truth was that she had no idea. At least Declan didn’t think she did.

“Guys tend to get off on me being a cop.”

“Okay.”

“They ask me out and seem to think I should act differently. When we date or spend time together, they start harping on me not dressing like a woman.”

“Bullshit.”

She cut him a look. “It’s true.”

“Oh, no, I believe you. I just think it’s bullshit.”

“Oh.”

“For the record, I love the way you were dressed last night, and I really love your pantsuits.”

Her brow creased. “You do not.”

He nodded. “You are put together perfectly, Detective O’Reilly. And those pants you wear for work? They show off that world-class ass of yours.”

Her face flushed, and for a second, he thought he might have overstepped. Other women, he knew what to say, but he often felt as if he were out of his depth with Eileen.

“Sorry.”

Her gaze shot to his. She had the most amazing eyes. Dark, with golden flecks within the iris. The freckles across the bridge of her nose were cute and sexy at the same time.

---