Page 142 of One Night Only
“I did. Twice. I was with Lauren for five months but she moved back to Houston. Then there was Sienna. She was fun but it fizzled out after a few weeks. I didn’t really mind when it did. And then I met you.”
He says the words with such finality that I shiver.
“I met you,” he continues. “And for the first time in a long time, I wanted to try again. But you know that part already.”
I say nothing as he takes a long gulp from the bottle, but I feel a little better. I’m almost pleased to know there were others between Fiona and me. It feels like less pressure. Less pressure and more…real. I don’t want to be the rebound girl, at least that much I know. And for a man who says he doesn’t do casual; he doesn’t seem too torn up about the others.
Fizzled out.
Is that what’s going to happen to us in a few months? All this buildup, all these crazy, mixed-up feelings inside will just…fade away?
I watch his throat bob with another sip of beer, his body sprawled in the chair, his hair mussed from where he’s been tugging it all afternoon.
Maybe a little fading wouldn’t be too bad. Maybe then I’d stop overreacting every time I’m around him. Every time Ithinkof him. Like I—
I cringe as the water label rips loudly underneath my fingers. We both stare at it before I suavely dump it on the coffee table.
“You know, many view that as a sign of sexual frustration,” Declan says.
“I thought it was a sign of boredom.”
“Am I boring you, Sarah?”
“Not at all,” I say. “I love to talk. We can talk all night if you want to.”
His lips twitch. “I didn’t know if you were still mad at me or not.”
“I’m not mad about… I mean, Iunderstandabout Fiona,” I say. “About why you didn’t tell me. I’m sorry I freaked out on you.”
“And I’m sorry you had to find out like that. You’re right. I should have told you.”
“Apology accepted.”
“Great.”
“Great,” I echo, forcing a smile.
We both take sips of our respective drinks and I really wish I’d asked for wine. Maybe a bottle of it.
“And just so we’re clear,” he adds, leaning forward in the chair, “I fully plan on keeping my promise of sleeping with you again.”
“And do we need to schedule that in or what’s happening?”
“I’m waiting.”
“For what?”
“For you. You always make the first move.”
I stare at him. “No, I don’t.”
“Uh, yeah, you do.”
“You’re the one who came up to me at O’Shea’s.”
“I talked but you initiated.”
“And you were the one who asked me for a nightcap in Ireland. I was only— What are you doing?”
