Page 126 of Holding You
“And presents!” Susie adds, pointing to a couple of new games on the table.
Declan’s mother wraps me in a hug and holds tight. “I’m justso happy to finally meet you in person. I’ve heard so much about you.”
I shift my gaze to Declan, who has his head down, shaking it back and forth.
“Not that much, Mom.”
“A little from you but mostly from Susie.”
His mother pulls back and holds me at the shoulders. “You truly are an amazing woman, and this little girl looks up to you. Not to mention you helping my son out when he needed it. I’m not so sure there is anything a mother can do to repay you.”
She turns and grabs the cookie tray. “I baked these for you.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” I say as Declan’s dad stands.
“I’m Troy, and this is my wife, Emma.”
“Oh gosh, where are my manners? I never even told you my name. I’m so nervous,” Emma looks over her shoulder at Declan. “She’s so gorgeous. You forgot to mention that. Lord knows, you have two good eyes and can see it.”
Declan rolls those good eyes and grins.
I break out into a laugh as Troy shakes my hand.
For a brief moment, I’d feared meeting Declan’s parents, thinking they would be too similar to the last ones I met, but I was wrong. So incredibly wrong.
“Would you two like to stay for dinner?” I ask, not just because it’s the polite thing to do but because getting to know them is something I very much want right now.
“Oh, we don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re not,” I rush out when I see Declan beginning to reply. “Let me whip up something real quick.”
“I’ll help,” Emma says, and we head for the kitchen, both kids right behind us.
Troy excuses himself to use the restroom.
I take this moment to move closer to the man I’ve been falling for.
He stands as I approach and leans in close.
“Are you sure this is okay? They just showed up. Said they wanted to see me since they barely saw me before Vegas.”
“It’s more than okay.” I rub my hand down his arm.
His gaze drifts to where we touch and then flickers to mine.
Our fingers touch and he doesn’t pull away. I lace our fingers together.
The smile he gives me is like an electric current to my heart, which begins to race.
“Where are you—” Emma's voice startles us, and I pull my hand away from his.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Carry on.” His mother steps into the living room and then smiles as she walks out.
We both laugh, and Declan is right behind me as we head toward the kitchen, his hand on my lower back the entire way.
Now isn’t the right time to tell him about the choices I made while I was with the girls, but this moment right here tells me that maybe I’m not alone in my thoughts.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
