Page 76 of Wild Ever After
“At Ash’s house,” Dakota answers. “Did Declan go over?”
“I’m not sure.”
They all look at me like they think it’s weird I don’t know Declan’s minute-to-minute schedule. Is that odd? Should I have texted him to tell him I was coming here? Sam never really cared unless it impacted plans we had made together.
I stare at Scarlett as I say, “I came straight here from work because someone said it was an emergency.”
“What do you two usually do at night?” Piper asks.
“I work while he does stuff around the house. He’s removed so much wallpaper, he should get some sort of award. The place is looking really great.” A brief image of him, shirtless and blasting rock music while he works around the house comes to mind, and it’s a pretty great image, too.
“What’s that smile?” Scarlett never misses anything. Especially if it has the potential to embarrass me.
“I was picturing Declan shirtless and sweaty.”
“And on top of you?” Dakota clinks her glass against mine.
Warmth spreads through me. “That is also a great visual.”
Piper’s responding squeal of excitement makes me lean away from her. “Ah, I love it so much. He is so smitten. You two are adorable.”
Damn these girls and their ability to get me talking.
“He’s contractually obligated, not smitten.”
“It is possible to be both.” Scarlett’s brown eyes are warm and sympathetic.
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. We’re in this for a year and we’ve decided to make the most out of it. He’s great and I like him. There. That’s all I’m giving you.”
“For now.” Piper’s lips twitch with amusement over her wine glass. “Soon enough, you’ll be just like the rest of us, in love and unable to shut up about it.”
“I’m happy for you guys. Truly,” I say, “but I’m just having fun while it lasts.”
“Why wouldn’t it last?” Dakota asks.
“Yeah. I mean, you’ve already survived more drama than most couples and look at you.” Piper isn’t wrong, but it’s not that simple.
“That’s because we spent the first month avoiding each other. We haven’t even had a fight yet.”
“So?” Scarlett’s brows rise with the question. “Couples fight. It isn’t a death sentence.”
“Not for you, maybe.” I’ve seen enough guys walk out on my mom after an argument to know that sometimes that’s all it takes. Scarlett and Leo, Piper and Tyler, Dakota and Maverick, they are so deep in love that they can survive a fight over who has to take the trash out, or whatever it is they argue about, but Declan and I aren’t in love. What’s going to happen when we disagree about something?
My phone buzzes in my purse. Declan’s name flashes on the screen,Dinner out tonight? I can pick you up from the office.
“It’s him. Isn’t it?” Scarlett asks. “You’re smiling.”
I hadn’t even realized I was, but of course, she’s right. I dig in my purse for the chocolate bar I also picked up for this so-called emergency. “Shut up.”
I toss the chocolate at her and then reply,Can’t. I’m at Scarlett’s house with the girls.
Before I can set my phone down, he sends another text. This one is a selfie. It’s Declan making a frowny face at the camera.
I run my finger along the screen. Even making a goofy face, he’s undeniably handsome. I fight the urge to say goodbye to my friends and go hang with him. We’re going to another event for the magazine tomorrow night, so he should enjoy a free night where he isn’t obligated to hang out with me.The guys are at Ash’s. You should go hang with them. I’ll text you on my way home. We have two bottles of wine and a lot of boy talk to do still.
27
YOU’RE JADE FREAKING DAVIS
