After Ben reluctantly rejoined the party at Tammy’s request, Declan appeared by her side, tentatively laying a hand on her back. ‘That took real courage, standing up to him like that’, he said quietly.
Tammy let out a shaky breath, allowing his gentle praise to soothe her frayed nerves.
They both looked up as Pharis approached, his usually carefree expression sombre. ‘Declan, might I have a quick word with Tammy alone?’ he asked.
Declan glanced between them before giving Tammy’s hand a supportive squeeze. ‘Of course. I’ll be right over there if you need me,’ he assured her kindly before stepping away.
Tammy steeled herself. She needed to know about Pharis’ meeting with Richi. If he’d told him where she was. Her voice trembled with anger. ‘How do you know Richi?’
‘What? You know him too? I thought he was coming on strong to you just now.’
‘Don’t play innocent, Pharis,’
‘I’m not. I’ve never seen him before in my life until Thursday. He scheduled a meeting with me to place a contract for produce from the shop.’
The penny dropped. ‘Oh.’ Tammy suddenly felt foolish.’
‘How do you know him, Tammy?’
‘He’s my ex.’
‘Ahhh. That makes sense then.’ He glanced over at Declan, standing patiently to the side.
Tammy suddenly had a feeling Pharis intended to express his romantic intentions now that her ex and Declan were temporarily out of the picture. But his next words surprised her.
‘You know Tammy, while I think you are insanely gorgeous, and I’ve come to care for you a great deal these past few weeks, I see now that it’s Declan who truly holds your heart,’ he said with a bittersweet smile. ‘I’ve seen the way you both look at each other, and I know that you could never look at me the same way. Therefore, I’m going to stop pursuing something I know is never going to happen between us, and I wish you both every happiness together.’
‘Wha—’ He pulled her into a warm, almost brotherly embrace. Tammy was touched by his selfless gesture. ‘Your friendship means the world to me Pharis,’ she replied softly.
Pharis nodded, the smile returning to his eyes. ‘And yours too. Look. I know it appears to you that Declan and I have this rivalry going on. He wasn’t born in this community but he’s a hundred percent part of it. I’ve not known Declan for long, but I can say with my hand on my heart that he’s one of the good guys. He’s caring, loyal, and I’m a bit miffed to say this, but hotter than me as well.’ Tammy giggled. ‘Now go on over to that man who wants to be yours more than anything, because I know you definitely want to be his.’
Tammy frowned with a smile as she looked up into Pharis’ face. ‘And how could you possibly know that?’
‘Because you look at him the same way he looks at you, so go put him out of his misery,’ he said, nodding towards where Declan waited pensively.
Tammy glanced at Declan. This time her heart and her head screamed, YES.
