AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?”
Word fart. He didn’t want Tara knowing that he knew who she was. He wanted their meeting to be fated, like the stars drove them together on this fateful night. He couldn’t let her know that he’d been watching her.
“Hi,” she said. “I’m Tara.”
“Declan.” He reached a hand out to shake hers. The skin of her hand was smooth and soft, like a baby’s bottom. “Sorry again for knocking into you. I guess they don’t call me ‘clumsy two shoes’ for nothing.” He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck in hopes of concealing his awkwardness.
Tara shook her head. “No, it’s my fault. I should’ve paid attention to where I was going.”
She placed her phone back into her purse and held the bag close to her body. He could tell that she was obviously nervous about their conversation. He was coming off a little strong, but maybe she wouldn’t mind him taking one step closer.
“So, where you headed? What do you say I make it up to you by buying you dinner?” He smiled as he spoke, his white teeth grinning through his charming smile, hoping it was enough to entice her.
“Sorry, I can’t. I’m actually meeting my husband for dinner. And I should really get going. I’m running late as it is.”
His face fell; a look of disappointment washed over. “Aw, shucks, I should’ve known a pretty girl like you was taken. Well, shit out of luck, I guess. At least, let me give you my number. If you ever change your mind, you’ll know who to call.”
He felt around his back pocket and pulled out a ballpoint pen. He then grabbed her coffee cup and wrote his number on it. “Such a shame, such a shame.”
“Sorry,” she said with a smile. “It was nice meeting you. I gotta run.”
“Nice meeting you too, Tara Bardot. I’ll see you around.”
He felt a pin prick to his heart as she skipped away. Husband? I mean, I’m not surprised, but damn, did she really have to throw it in my face like that?
His thoughts were interrupted when his phone rang again. He fumbled it out from his pocket, hoping that his son-of-a-bitch boss had decided to change his mind and let him have his job back. Instead, he saw a number he didn’t recognize on his phone. It could be anyone. A telemarketer. A hacker. His mom. He sure as hell didn’t know. He was never one to keep numbers. Memorizing them were a waste of time, and plus, if he did, he wouldn’t have an excuse to turn women away after a hookup. A simple no strings attached one-night stand.
He sighed. They all wanted the same thing with him. A relationship. But that was something he wanted to stay as far away from as possible. He didn’t believe in relationships. Love, sure. He could fall in love with someone but still not be in a relationship with them. That was definitely possible. But once a woman wants to spend more time with him and claim him as her own, that’s where he drew the line. He could never picture himself being tied down like that, not again. Not after the last time.
Serena Taylor was the love of his life. They met in Venice seven years ago, when he was taking a gap year in between jobs, and she was studying abroad. He was a man of impulsiveness and possibilities, and she was a naïve student ready to venture out into the world of responsibility. It was Declan’s last day there, the end to a miserable trip of loneliness, self-regret, and terrible weather. He thought a quick escape would help him forget about losing one of the only jobs he’d ever loved. But it’s true what they say. He never really could escape from his problems, his woes hopping on a plane with him and sleeping beside him in his hotel room.
On his last day, he vowed to never visit Italy, or any country for that matter, ever again once he hopped back onto the plane and back to the states. Traveling felt like such a waste of time to him, a money-sucking waste of time with absolutely no reward. But that all changed when he met her, a gorgeous blonde bombshell who took one look at him and struggled to look away. And it was in that moment that he fell in love with Italy again.
Their affair was passionate. They both wanted each other like they were two ravenous wolves reaching for the same piece of filet mignon, and after just one passionate night, they became inseparable, holding hands whenever they went and tearing off each other’s clothes whenever they had the chance. Declan never expected a relationship to come out of a one-night stand, but it did, and he didn’t complain. Not one bit.
Neither of them expected a blossoming romance when they each stepped foot into the country, and neither of them expected their passionate fling to spiral into more than that. She moved into his apartment in the heart of Manhattan, and together, they traveled the world. Her love for culture and global scenery enticed him, and he fell so blindly in love that he was willing to follow her anywhere. Thailand. Switzerland. Ireland. And so much more, branding each country before they said their farewells. Serena Taylor. Declan was so sure that she was the woman he wanted to marry and spend the rest of his life with.
But soon, things turned dark. Serene began disappearing at odd hours of the night, saying she had to visit her sick parents or her heartbroken friend.
“I’m spending the night there,” she would say. “Don’t wait up.”
And still naïve and clueless, Declan believed her. For six whole months, he believed her. Her lies. It wasn’t until he found out about Nicolas Blake did his life begin to fall apart.
“Who the fuck were you kissing? Answer me, Serena! Who the fuck were you making out with?”
She crossed her arms over her chest in denial. “What are you even talking about? I wasn’t kissing anyone!”
“Don’t lie to me, Serena. I followed you. I saw you. Who is he?”
He knew he wouldn’t like the answer she’d give. Whatever came out of her mouth, he’d hate it either way.
“You’re following me? Where the hell do you get off following me?! That’s an invasion of my rights!”
He should’ve stopped there, stopped prodding, but she was his first true love, and he couldn’t let it go. He couldn’t let her go.
“You don’t have rights when you’re in a relationship, especially not when it involves your partner. Tell me!”
“My husband, okay?! He’s my husband.”
