Page 88 of Declan's Dove

He’s a customer. Be nice.

“It’s new,” I reply.

“Must be really new. Because I seem to recall when I asked you out last week, you said you weren’t in a place where you felt you should date anyone. Then you leave for a few days and come back with him.” His icy tone causes me to pause, scanning for ways to escape.

“Violet had to leave town on personal business. As for her relationship, that’s her business and not that of the gym members.” Skyler stands firmly behind me. Her hand on my back soothes some of my fear.

You’re not alone. He can’t hurt you.

“What seems to be the trouble, lass?” Kieran’s thick Irish brogue gives me the extra bit of comfort I need to breathe.

“We were just pointing out that Dr. Halloway seems a little snippier than usual. I’m guessing he forgot how to keep out of other people’s business. Especially Kings business. Isn’t that right, Paul?” Skyler doesn’t hesitate to put his ass on blast.

Kieran stands tall, crossing his arms over his chest. “Is that so?” Kieran drawls. “And here I thought doctors were supposed to be smarter than most. All that learning they do. Guess it goes to show some lessons can’t be taught in school.” I don’t miss the warning in Kieran’s voice.

Dr. Halloway raises his hands in surrender. “I meant no harm. I was just surprised to see Violet dating someone. My mistake. I can see you’re happy with your decision.” His eyes find mine, the anger from earlier all but gone. “I’ll see you around.” He pushes off the counter and walks out the door.

I turn around and Skyler is typing away on her phone.

“What are you doing?” I’m pretty sure she’s texting Declan.

“I’m letting Ethan know to keep an eye on Dr. Halloway. We don’t need members making our employees uncomfortable.”

No argument here.

The rest of the day goes by quickly. Skyler shows me the changes she’s made to the schedule. The new membership perks and the packages they’ll be offering for the next two months to try to increase attendance. We look over the applications for the upcoming interviews as well. These are things I think are way above my pay grade, yet here she is showing me.

“Sky, what’s your plan when the baby comes?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“I want to take some time off. I’ll still help with the back-office stuff, but most of that can be done remotely from home or the apartment upstairs. I want to be with the baby as much as I can for as long as I can.” Her eyes glass over. “When we lost our first child, I was alone, and I grieved for all the things I would miss seeing as that child grew. Then we found Lilah, and I absolutely adore our daughter, but I missed thirteen years of her life, too. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for the moments and milestones we’ve shared with Lilah. And maybe it’s silly, but I want to be sure I don’t miss any milestone moments with this baby.”

Squeezing her shoulder, I tell her, “It’s not silly at all.”

Ethan, Declan, and Hawk come strolling into the gym after six in the evening. Ethan lights up the moment he sees Skyler. She’s sitting in a chair behind the counter, looking like she’s ready to pass out.

“Hey, Sunshine. You doing all right?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. He grips her neck and kisses her soundly.

Must be a biker thing. I giggle to myself.

“Something funny, Dove?” A tremor runs through me as Declan’s smooth tone slides over me. It’s alarming how something as simple as his voice can set every nerve on edge in a good way.

The way he commands my body with just his voice and the words he says.

I feel my face flush with heat at his knowing smile. “Nothing I care to share,” I say quickly. He leans in to kiss me, but his ringing phone breaks the moment.

“Yeah,” he answers.

I watch as his face contorts into something akin to fear.

“Declan?”

“We’re on our way. No. No. Just get him there. We’ll meet you in the ER.” My heart stutters at the mention of the hospital.

“What’s wrong? Who’s hurt?” It’s Skyler who asks, but I know before he says it. I feel it in my gut.

“Carter,” I whisper.

Declan nods, grabbing my hand. “He’s okay. He fell off Midnight and hurt his arm. Caleb and Liz are almost to the hospital now. Grab your things and I’ll take you to him.” Declan is talking, and though I hear his words, I can’t make my feet move. Thrown back into memories of all the times we’ve done this. All the lies we told because we couldn’t tell the truth.

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