Page 21 of The Ex Next Door
At this, that old sly grin of his appeared. The one just this side of wicked, which always made him look as if he’d just told a dirty joke. He was an incurable flirt.
“Can I ask you something?” He took a seat again on the bottom step.
The distance was safe and Amy approved. He wasn’t encroaching on her space and she could live with this geography.
“Sure, ask away.”
“Why did you always trust me so much? When we were going out?”
What a weird question. It seemed to open up some difficult times in their past and Amy would think he wanted to avoid all that right now. But, if they were truly going to be friends, they should probably talk. It was too late to save their old relationship but they could still be good friends.
“Well, it wasn’t easy. I’m sure it won’t shock you to know women love you.”
“You never seemed to mind. It’s like you knew I loved you and that was enough somehow.”
“I don’t think you can have much of a relationship without trust. And I do realize how ironic that is. I’m alone again, and yet I trusted my husband. Just like I trusted you.”
“It’s not your fault, Amy. Believe that.”
“Why are you bringing this up now?” She considered. “Oh, I know. Did your girlfriend already give you a hard time about living next door to me?”
“Nah. But, the thing is, she doesn’t trust me. At all. I’ve given her no reason to doubt me. So, I don’t really understand.” He rubbed the edge of his jawline with his thumb, and she heard the sound of thick bristle.
“Ah, okay. Let me help you out there. You’re a big flirt, Declan. And that can feed a woman’s insecurities.”
“I can’t change who I am.” He lifted his shoulders. “Maybe I’m a flirt, but I’m not a cheater.”
She’d wanted to believe that. “You had me doubting that, near the end. Not that I blame you entirely. We were young.”
“Wait a second—” he interrupted.
She kept talking. “We were going to have to break up and you and I both knew it. And you did it, possibly in the only way you could. At least this way you didn’t have to deal with me trying to figure out a way we could have a relationship a thousand miles apart because you know I would have tried.”
“Can I talk now?” Declan’s jaw was tight in a way she recognized. “Is this what you think just because I didn’t want to get married? You’re right, I didn’t want to get married or talk about getting married or think about getting married. Yeah, I had no idea what we were going to do, but I loved you, and I would have never cheated on you. I want that on the record.”
She had a difficult time biting back a laugh. “What record?”
“The history record that exists here, between you and me.” He waved one hand in the space between them. “I think it’s only fair.”
“I wouldn’t want to be unfair.” She smirked.
“So, this is on the record now—we didn’t break up because I wanted to be free to be with other women. Honestly, the relationship we had taught me how tobein a relationship. It showed me that I know how to be loyal. I know I can be faithful when I love someone.” He shook his head. “I have a tough time getting anyone to believe it. But you did, at least for a while.”
“Honestly, Declan, that’s not your job. If you’re being loyal and honest, then the woman should know it. She’ll see it. There’s always going to be a little faith involved. A little leap to take. If your girlfriend doesn’t trust you, yet, it’s probably because she’s still getting to know you.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Okay.” Amy stood. “So glad we had this chat.”
“Hey. Are you still looking for a job?”
She turned to see him twirling the neck of the bottle of beer between his fingers. In spite of their discussion, or maybe because of it, the parts of her body not directly connected to her heart kicked alive. He was such a sight, his tousled dark blond hair and formidable athletic build. And she was a woman, even if she was a mother first. Of course she found Declan Sheridan attractive.
“Yeah, still on the hunt but for something part-time now. I’m getting my teaching credentials so hopefully I’ll start teaching sometime next fall. It’s going to take a few months.”
He gave her a slow smile, which seemed genuine. “That’s great, Amy.”
“It’s what I always wanted.”
