Page 41 of Declan
Declan shrugged. “Dawn, his wife, was a good friend, and we dated before she met Johnston. He’s always hated me for that, and because we stayed friends.” He shook his head slowly. “There was never anything between us after. Dawn knew better than I did that we didn’t belong together. Hell, I even went to their wedding. At the reception he cornered me in the courtyard and told me to stay away from her.”
Elise leaned forward, voice soft. “What did you say?”
He traced the rim of his glass with a finger. “I told him I’d back off if Dawn told me to, and that he had no say in it. No matter how many times she swore there was nothing between us, he refused to believe her. Thought we were having an affair. She was about to leave him after just two years of marriage, but they went to counseling. My gut has never led me astray, and from day one I didn’t like him or trust him.” He shook his head. “I miss her friendship.”
Elise tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry. Some men can’t fathom that a man and a woman can just be friends. I have a friend in New York. I adore him, and nothing’s ever happened between us. We talk all the time.” She shook her head, as if dismissing a memory. “Stephen drank the second time he took me to dinner. He wasn’t drunk, but he drifted off the road onto the shoulder. It scared me.”
“I’m sure it did.”
“He didn’t say anything about it, and I didn’t either.”
Declan smirked, a flash of amusement in his eyes. “He hates me, and frankly, I couldn’t care less.”
“He thinks you’re on the take.”
Declan burst out laughing. He raised his glass, shook his head, then sipped. “Figures.”
“That doesn’t bother you?”
He set the tumbler down. “Why should it? I’m not on the take.”
“He says because you paid cash for your house, you must be.”
Declan leaned forward, his gaze steady. “Do you think I’m on the take? You’ve seen my place.”
Elise stared at him, eyes narrowing. Finally, she shook her head. “No, I don’t believe it. But I am curious how you paid cash for that place. He told me it sold for over three million.”
“Do you like me, Elise?”
She frowned. “You know I do. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
“Good. You know I like you too.”
“Are you evading my question?”
“I didn’t hear a question. I heard you say you were curious how I paid cash for that place.” He smirked and shrugged. “Just ask.”
Elise huffed. “Okay. How did you pay cash for that house?”
“I have a lot of money.”
“What? How?”
“Are you aware of Callahan Whiskey?” He held his glass up.
“Yes, it’s very popular.”
“I own a share of it. My mother is a Callahan. I asked if you liked me because I wanted to be sure before I told you I was rich.”
“You think I’d only like you if I knew you were rich?” Elise tossed her napkin on the table.
Declan shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the first time a woman was interested in a man because he had money.”
“I think you should take me home now.” She slid out of the booth, stood, and Declan stood too. “I swear I have no luck with men,” she muttered.
“Wait. You’re mad because of what I said? Come on, Elise. Put yourself in my place. I rarely tell anyone about it. People I’m close to know, but not everyone. It’s no one’s business, but I have been out with women who do know and that’s the only reason they see me.”
Elise stared at him, then laughed. “Do you not look in a mirror, Declan? I didn’t look at you and think, ‘wow, he’s good-looking. I wonder if he has money’.”
