Page 134 of Holding You
Susie is grinning like a kid at Christmas, while Max rolls his eyes.
They quickly go back to playing, and we all continue as if I didn’t just make an announcement that changed my life in a huge way.
I move to lean into Declan again, but his phone rings. He pulls it out, and a scowl forms on his face.
“I need to take this,” he says, placing a quick kiss on the top of my head and then walks back into the house.
I watch him as he leaves, completely unaware that I won’t see him again for almost three hours.
Or that for the next couple of weeks, he’ll work more than he has all summer.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
DECLAN
I pull up in front of the house Luca is building for me, and Ruby barely waits for me to park before she’s unbuckling and getting out.
It wouldn’t be crazy to think that she's more excited than I am.
The smile on her face should put me at ease.
I want her to move in with us. She and Max.
I want more with her. Them.
Now that the entire town has known for the past two weeks, there is no hiding the fact that I fell hard for this woman.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s almost ready?” she asks, rubbing her hands together.
I nod.
“Can you give me a tour, or will Luca freak?”
I chuckle at the mischief in her eyes over the idea of her brother losing his mind.
“It's my house. I can do anything I want with it. Let’s take a tour.”
We both head for the front door. With her hand in mine, I unlock it.
There is a lot left to do, but it’s still on schedule for the deadline.
“Wow, I love how open the floor plan is on this level,” she says and sighs.
“Me too. I wanted as much light as possible in this space, where Susie would want to bring her friends. I want to bethathouse. The hangout house.”
Ruby grins.
“So do I.”
Our eyes meet.
“That’s good to know.”
“Mm-hmm.”
I grab her hand and pull her down the hall to the right. “This is where Susie’s room will be, then the guest room, and another spare room. There is a bathroom attached to each one for privacy.”
