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“I don’t have any that I’m aware of. I have to pick Grandma up from her sewing club meeting or get-together, whatever you want to call it, later today. What’s up?”
“What do you think about a girls’ night?” she asks.
“Sure.”
“It’s not your average girls’ night. Ramsey and I have been promising Blakely we’d have another sleepover. This time it’s going to be at my place. Ramsey, Jade, and Piper will be there as well.”
“Should I invite Alyssa?”
“Oh, shit!”
“What?”
“Why have we never invited her before now? Damn. We’ve failed. I’ll call her. It should come from one of us. I feel terrible.”
“It’s an easy oversight.” I don’t say it, but I’m sure it’s because Alyssa isn’t involved romantically with Sterling. The rest of us are. Like she said, it’s an easy oversight, but I’m glad that they’re going to include her.
“She’s cool as hell too. I feel awful. My place, six o’clock. Tell Declan that I’ll pick Blakely up from his parents’.”
“Actually, I’ll just bring her with me.”
“Even better. We’re spending the night,” she reminds me.
“I’ll have to check in with Grandma and leave to pick her up, but that all sounds good to me.”
“Great. I’ll see you tonight.”
“What do I need to bring?”
“Just you and the lady of honor.”
“I’ll text Alyssa later and see if she wants a ride as well.”
“That would be great. Damn, I can’t believe we didn’t think to include her before now. I’m going to call her, then call Ramsey.”
“See you later.” I hand Declan back his phone. “I’m sorry I should have made sure her plans were okay with you before I agreed.” It hits me that I just made plans for his daughter without asking.
He grins. “She lives for these nights.” He nods to where Blakely is sitting at a small table in the corner coloring. “I knew what she wanted when I handed you the phone.”
“You’re okay with us going?”
“Come here.” He stands and reaches out, pulling me into his arms. He couldn’t care less who sees us. “You don’t need my permission.”
“Not for me, but for her.”
“I trust you, Kennedy. That little girl is my life, and I trust you with her. I trust you to make choices that are in her best interest.”
My eyes well with tears. “T—” I swallow hard. “Thank you.”
He pulls me into a hug, his lips pressing to the top of my head. He holds me for what feels like forever and not long enough. Eventually, I pull out of his arms and smile at him, letting him know I’ve composed myself.
“Thanks for stopping to see me.”
“Can I take her with me? We’ll go have lunch and just hang out. The manor doesn’t have anything going on today, and I dropped Grandma off at the sewing club. I don’t have to pick her up until eight tonight. I’ll have to leave Palmer’s and then go back.”
“How about I pick her up? My girls are busy tonight, which leaves me with time on my hands.”
“Time to chill. Grab a beer with your brothers. Sleep.” I chuckle. “Besides, I don’t know if having you alone with Grandma is a good idea.”
“Why?”
“She’s already trying to convince me we’re going to get married one day. I don’t need her hounding you as well.” I only have a short amount of time with him left. I don’t need my grandma and her plans of marrying me off to scare him away. I want every second of his time that I can get before I have to go home.
“I’m not afraid of Maureen.” He smirks.
I don’t fail to notice how he doesn’t comment about Grandma insisting that Declan will be married to me one day. “Use your night wisely,” I tell him.
“I will. And I’ll also be Maureen’s driver. I’ll make sure she’s home and settled and still be able to meet my brothers for a beer. You just enjoy your girl time.” He kisses the corner of my mouth before calling out to Blakely, “Hey, squirt. Do you want to have a girls’ night tonight at Aunt Palmer’s?”
“This day?” she asks.
“This evening, yes,” he answers.
“Yes!” She throws her tiny fist in the air. “Can Kenny come?”
“I’ll be there, sweet girl. In fact, I thought you and I could go together.” I’ll admit I’m looking forward to hanging out with her, and the other ladies, of course.
“This is the best day ever.”
Declan chuckles. His arms are still around my waist, so he pulls me close and presses a kiss to my temple. “Take the Tahoe. I’ll keep your car.”
“We can just move the car seat.”
“Why? It’s easier to just leave it. Leave your keys. How long since you had an oil change?” he asks.
“I don’t remember. It’s on the little sticker they put on my window.”
He just shakes his head and softly smiles. “Take care of my girl. I’ll take care of Maureen, and your car.”
