Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“I’ve got you,” he whispered before brushing a kiss to the side of my head.
Who the fuck is this man?
The Declan Foster I’d thought I’d known for nearly a year was a cold, standoffish man who was always proper and showed no outward affection.
At least, that was how it had begun. In those last few months, I’d noticed that he’d lingered at my place longer. He’d asked about my art and would rub my back as I was drifting off to sleep. Was this what happened when Declan counted you as a real friend?
Fuck, if this was how he treated his friends, I was becoming envious of whoever won his heart. That person would be put on a pedestal and treated like a god.
And just like that, I learned to hate that faceless, nonexistent person.
“Sorry. I feel like I’m constantly falling apart, and you have to deal with it.”
“Stop apologizing too. No more thank-yous and sorries. I don’t want it, expect it, or need it. My only desire is for you to heal.”
“Da! Ba!” Joy shouted. She reached her hand forward and hit me on the top of the head.
“Joy wants the same thing.”
A warm spot of happiness pushed aside the pain that seemed to overwhelm me at the most random moments. My cheek resting on Declan’s shoulder, I looked at Joy with her hair in tiny pigtails on the top of her head as she blew bubbles at us. As long as she was happy and safe, nothing else mattered.
“Declan?”
The very loud, shocked voice shattered our cocoon and made me very aware that we were still standing near the entrance of the grocery store as foot traffic awkwardly flowed past us.
My head snapped up and my gaze jerked around until I spotted a short, handsome man with a closely trimmed beard and dark hair. His eyes, however, looked as if they were going to roll out of his head as he stared at our little trio.
“Hello, Rome,” Declan greeted, confirming that he did in fact know this person.
As soon as I realized Declan knew the guy, I tried to move away from him, but the hand Declan had on my shoulder tightened, keeping me pinned to him while he pivoted to face this stranger.
“I…um…wasn’t expecting to see you here,” Rome stammered.
“Same,” Declan replied in his usual hard and unyielding tone that drove me crazy each time he directed it at me. But since I wasn’t his current target, I kind of wanted to giggle.
Rome cleared his throat and took another step closer. “I was headed over to Sebastian’s. Byron texted me to pick up some special cheese for a thing he wants to make.”
And then, silence. Declan didn’t explain why we were there or even who I was? I could guess that the bigger concern for Rome, though, was the baby Declan was holding.
“Hey, I’m Parker Cain, a friend of Declan’s. This is my daughter, Joy.” I shifted against Declan so I could free my right arm from where it was wrapped around his waist and offer my hand to Rome.
In an instant, Rome lit up like a fucking firework. “A friend of Declan’s? No kidding! It’s so great to meet you. I had no idea Declan had friends outside of our circle.”
That was a weird comment.
I smiled tightly at this interloper, now realizing that maybe Declan had a good reason for not introducing me. “Oh, I’m sure Declan has lots of friends. I happen to be one he doesn’t talk about much.”
Declan’s hand squeezed my shoulder. “He doesn’t mean to be insulting. Rome is just an idiot.”
A loud cackle erupted from the strange man. “He’s right. I’m an idiot. We’ve known each other since college, and Dec isn’t big on making friends, but I’m glad he has.” He didn’t pause for a breath when he turned his attention to Joy, who was watching all this with wide eyes. “This is your daughter? She’s freaking adorable. How old is she?”
“Six months.”
“No wonder she’s so tiny, but I bet she’s gonna be a powerhouse.” Rome reached out one finger to wiggle it at her without touching her. Joy squealed while Declan’s glare turned uncomfortably dark.
“You know, why don’t I put Joy in the cart? We’ll head on to the baby food aisle while you talk to your friend. Catch up with us later.” I broke free from Declan’s hold and snatched Joy away from him. “Rome, it was nice meeting you. I hope you find the cheese you’re searching for,” I called over my shoulder as I placed Joy in her carrier chair and zipped the cart straight for the produce section. I had no idea where the hell the baby supplies were in this store, but right now, all I wanted was to move out of firing range.
“Good meeting you, too, Parker. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”