Page 147 of Huckleberry Hill
He was in a pair of boxer briefs and a white T-shirt. He must’ve stripped down before coming out because he hadn’t moved all night once he’d passed out.
“Your dad is a cruel, cruel man.” He swiped a hand down his face, wincing when he touched his jaw. “He punched me in the face and then got me drunk.”
“You let him do both those things,” I reminded him.
“I was hoping it would get me in good with him.”
“Mission accomplished.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Why are you here? I thought you were sleeping in your own bed last night. Or did you sleep in your own bed last night and come over this morning and wait for me to get up?”
“Coffee?” I asked, rising from the chair. “Toast?”
“Orange juice,” he begged. “And dear lord, don’t mention food.”
“Okay.” I went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. “Dad got you to bed and he and I had a brief talk. He told me to sleep over here. He was worried about you choking on your own tongue.”
Declan sat down on the couch. I handed him the orange juice and he took a sip. He waited a moment, no doubt to see how his stomach reacted, and then he took another bigger swallow.
“Well, at least he didn’t try and kill me. It would’ve been so easy for him to do that,” Declan muttered.
“He gave us his blessing,” I announced. “It wouldn’t matter if he hadn’t, though.”
“No?” He raised his brows. “You would’ve defied your father to be with me? Very Romeo and Juliet.”
“They died,” I said blandly. “No one’s dying in my story.”
He smiled and then his expression slipped. “I didn’t do anything embarrassing, did I? Did I say anything embarrassing?”
“Not to me,” I said. “You were really sweet. Told me you loved me and passed out. It was kind of adorable.”
“Adorable.” He squinted. “You can’t turn down the sun, can you?”
I giggled. “No. But I can find your sunglasses.”
“Please, God. The aspirin hasn’t kicked in yet.”
“You really should eat something. You shouldn’t take that stuff on an empty stomach.”
“What’s it going to do? Make me nauseous? Too late for that.”
I got up and brushed a kiss to his forehead and then went to the bedroom to the nightstand. I picked up his aviators and brought them to him.
“So I was wondering,” I said, retaking my seat.
“Wondering what?”
“Wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner with Gracie and her husband, Cole. Like a double date thing.”
“Sure.” He turned his head. “Not tonight, right? Please, not tonight.”
“Not tonight,” I assured him. “But maybe when Cole has a night off?”
“That sounds good.” He settled down on the couch and rubbed his jaw. “I think I told Wade we should be friends. Though I can’t be completely sure. It’s all kind of fuzzy.”
“You’re a nice drunk, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I’m super friendly. Not friendly with the ladies though, I promise.”
