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Chapter 37
Theadora
Iloungedback,feeling listless. I should have been working on a project for my final semester, and my hair needed washing badly. Depression had pounced on me again. Every time I hit pause that dark cloud swallowed me up.
The door opened and glad to have someone to talk to, I turned to greet Lucy when my spine stiffened.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” she said with a chuckle, despite her apologetic grimace.
Just my luck, Declan had to see me wearing my shoddiest joggers, a stained, torn T-shirt, and a greasy ponytail. I looked like hell.
My mouth opened and “Oh” dropped out.
Seconds of strained silence seemed to drag on. I’m not sure who was more nervous, me or him.
“I’m sorry to barge in like this,” he said rubbing his neck and wearing a faltering smile.
Lucy bit her lip and said, “He insisted. I…”
“It’s okay, Luce.” My mouth trembled into a tense smile.
She headed off into her bedroom. “I’ll give you some space.”
I turned to Declan. “Just give me a minute. I’ll change into something, and we can go over to the park, if you like.”
“Sure. You look fine, though.” He smiled sweetly.
“No, I don’t.” I held up a finger. “One minute.”
I went into my bedroom. My heart racing and my brain in a fog when Lucy entered. “I’m sorry, but he followed me. I didn’t know.”
I sniffed a long sleeve T-shirt and popped it over my head and then wiggled into my nicest jeans. “Don’t worry. I don’t know what he wants, though.”
“Hey, sound him out, will you?” She touched my arm.
“I look a fucking fright. My hair’s filthy.”
“You look gorgeous as always. Like you’ve just gotten out of bed.”
I rolled my eyes. “And that’s meant to make me feel better?”
She smiled. “Go on. You’ll be okay.”
I hugged my friend, drawing the strength I needed to face the man who’d stolen my heart.
As we crossed the road to the park, I could barely walk, and reading me well as always, Declan took me by the hand. Casting me a timid glance to see if I didn’t mind.
As if?
I was too busy dealing with the tingles soaring through me to protest. Sure, I could do it myself, but it was nice to feel that large warm hand again.
We came to a park bench and sat down.
“I needed to see you.” He faced me. “To talk to you.”
“I thought you’d be busy with the boot camp.”
“I am. But since you left, I haven’t been able to do anything.” His gaze intensified. “Why didn’t you speak to me?”
