Page 64 of Book and Ladder
“How do you know she didn’t friend zone me?”
“Because she’s had a thing for you since high school—back when all you wanted to do was hang out with Daisy and talk about books. She still saw something in you despite all that.”
I picture Blaire’s hopeful smile—and Daisy’s glare. The smile should move me, but it barely registers. The glare should drive me crazy ... and, well, it does.
“Thanks for the ringing endorsement,” I say.
“I don’t mean anything by it.” Declan shakes his head. Then he shifts into all-knowing big-brother mode. “You know what your problem is?”
“Didn’t know I had one.”
“It’s the books, Pat. Lay off the romance novels. You’ll never settle for average if you keep waiting on some storybook princess to make your life a happily ever after.”
Now it’s my turn to shake my head. “Do you even know what you’re talking about? The women in those books are normal, everyday women. It’s the men we have to worry about—they’re perfect.”
“Being perfect doesn’t mean you’ll find a woman who interests you.”
He says it so easily, as if he’s tested the theory by actually being perfect. He does have what I call the golden trifecta: looks, money, fame. He’s a good man on top of all that. And he’s got a great sense of humor, not that I’m going to tell himthat. Declan’s got confidence to spare. But despite his assets, he’s still single.
“The women of Waterford are a bunch of bookworms with unrealistic expectations,” Declan practically grumbles.
My thoughts wander to a particular bookworm. I wanted to say something to her last night on the porch, to ask how she’s holding up after Dad’s announcement. But I can’t. My hands are tied. I see the anguish in her face—the invisible weight she’s carrying. I wish I could lift some of that off her shoulders. The urge to hug her was so powerful last night—of all the things. She probably would have called the cops and had me arrested for assault.
I chuckle to myself.
“What’s so funny?” Declan asks.
“The bookworms of Waterford.”
He laughs. “Yeah. You’d think they’d all be into you, seeing how you love books so much.”
He has no idea the length to which I’ve taken my love of books. I almost tell him. I half suspect he’d support me. But he might let the cat out of the bag to Mom and Dad and I can’t risk that exposure or criticism.
I press the button on the toaster and pour the juice while Declan cooks the eggs. Then we plate everything and sit at my kitchen table.
“You want any help setting up for the cook-off today?” Declan asks around his first bite. “I’ve got nothing but time this week.”
“I think we’re good. Are you planning to come?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. I love a chili cook-off, and the one in Waterford always makes me homesick.”
“For Waterford?” My shock isn’t hidden in the least.
“Yes, for Waterford. Where else would I be homesick for? I grew up here. It’s my hometown.”
“Yeah. I just … I don’t know. I figured you couldn’t wait to get out of here. And you never came back.”
“I was a normal teen. All teens itch to flee their home towns. It’s part of growing up and defining yourself apart from your family. And the NFL doesn’t exactly have a team in Waterford. But as soon as I got a chance to be closer to home, I took it. I love this town.”
“Huh.”
Declan spears me with a look. Did my assessment hurt him?
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed. You spend a lot of time in Nashville when Mom and Dad are there. I thought that would be your city of choice.”
“I like my parents,” he says with a shrug.
“Our parents,” I correct him, even though there’s something incredibly telling about him claiming them as his own.
