Page 24 of The Wiener Across the Way

Declan’s voice softened, a hint of mischief in his tone. “Okay, Kelsey, close your eyes and imagine this...”

I did as he asked, sinking deeper into my pillows, the phone pressed to my ear, my eyes fluttering shut. But then he made this soft sound that was somewhere between a moan and a growl.

Holy shit, were we about to have phone sex?

“Imagine you’re with me up in the mountains,” Declan continued, his voice a soothing cadence in the quiet of the room. “The colors on the trees are a mix of reds and golds, and the sun is setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.”

Okay. So it was just me who was mad horny. Fine. I let out a contented sigh, the imagery vivid in my mind. “That sounds nice.”

“There’s a gentle, but warm breeze,” he added, “and the only sound is the soft whirring of the old ski lift floating by overhead and the rustle of the aspens.”

The scene unfolded in my mind, and I wondered if he was describing a real place. “I can almost hear it.”

Declan made that same humming sound. “Now, imagine I’m there with you. I’ve set up a picnic in the trees, just for us.”

I smiled at the thought. “What did you bring?”

“Your favorite,” he said playfully. “Cheese, of course. All kinds of cheese.”

I laughed, the sound light and carefree. “Perfect.”

“And there’s music,” he continued. “But not from a speaker. I brought my guitar. I’m playing your favorite songs.”

The thought of Declan playing guitar for me was unexpectedly intimate, sending a warm flutter through my heart. “I didn’t know you played.”

“I don’t, but this is my fantasy, so let’s pretend I do. I learned just for you.”

Oh my god. Why was he so sweet? He continued in this vein for a while, painting a picture of our perfect imaginary date. His voice was a steady, comforting presence, lulling me into a place where I wasn’t thinking about my next show or how I would get the songs for the album done on time.

As the minutes ticked by, his words became a soft murmur in the background, my mind drifting on the edge of sleep. I was vaguely aware of him talking, his words now a gentle, rhythmic sound that blended with the quiet of the night.

Eventually, his voice faded into the background, a warm, comforting hum that filled the space around me. I felt myself slipping further into relaxation, the tension of the day melting away.

“Kelsey,” Declan’s voice was barely above a whisper now. “Are you ready to rest now?”

“Mmm,” I managed, half-asleep.

“Sleep well, babe,” he said softly. “Sweet dreams.”

I drifted off, the last thought in my mind being Declan strumming my guitar and singing to me, music filling the air, and a sense of contentment I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Then he was kissing me. And, man, was he a sloppy kisser.

I opened my eyes to find Wiener the Pooh licking my face, waking me up, wagging her tail so hard her little butt was going ballistic. I glanced over at the clock on the bedside table. I’d slept for five hours. Which, honestly, was rather good for me.

“Pooh, you didn’t pee on the floor somewhere because I didn’t take you out, did you?”

A soft knock came on the door and Penelope popped her head into the room. “I took her out. You were dead to the world. I pushed everything on your schedule because I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sleep so soundly before.”

I sat up and stretched and yawned. “Thanks, Pen. Hey, do you happen to know if the colors are on the trees where we’re going for the festival this week? Or if they have places you can have a picnic?”

Maybe under a ski lift?

“I’ll find out for you.” She tapped on her tablet. “Also, you should check the FlipFlops I sent you. Our mission to get the world to forget you ever dated Jake is a go.”

I normally didn’t allow myself to scroll that addicting app, but when Pen sent me something, I watched it. Usually it was funny dog videos. She avoided sending me anything about me. Which was for the best.

I opened the messages and clicked on the first video. A superfan whose username I recognized because he, she, or they had been following me since myChoicest Voicedays had posted. I watched it, and then I sunk back down into the covers to hide the blush I felt rising up my cheeks watching Declan give me a kiss on the cheek.

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