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When Declan couldn’t settle down enough to respond, I went into total pout-mode, stalking over to a bench and sitting down. Okay, so maybe I loved that he treated me just the same as he would anyone else most of the time, but right now it wasn’t my favorite thing.
“Aw, is Sebastian Cole mad at me? You’re my favorite actor, I swear.” He held up his fingers like a Boy Scout, and this was way too fun, a lot more fun than it was supposed to be. My annoyance from seconds before was already gone.
“Cross your heart?” I played along.
“I mean, I do have a Sebastian shrine, remember?” He sat beside me. “Maybe I’ve been secretly stalking you this whole time.”
I nudged him with my arm, and he did the same. Neither of us moved them, our biceps touching as we looked out at the gardens around us. Just breathing.
“So apparently…I have more of an issue with being liked and known for my roles than I thought,” I admitted, watching a butterfly flitter around flowers.
“You’re so dramatic. It’s human nature. Don’t be so hard on yourself—I mean, stop being such a conceited asshole.”
That smile in my chest from earlier grew. It was amazing that I’d known Declan this long, but I was only now getting to know him well. That we’d fucked over and over again, but we’d never done things like we were doing today. Ignoring the fact that I basically had to beg him, of course. “That’s supposed to be your part to play, right?”
“Being an asshole? Yes.”
It was a lie. He wanted to be an asshole, but he wasn’t. “You are pretty good at it.”
“Thanks. I try hard.”
“Only…you’re actually really kind, funny, and compassionate.”
“Well, that was gross. Can you never say anything like that again?”
I chuckled.
We were quiet again for a moment before Declan said, “It’s beautiful here. Thanks for making me come.”
“I mean, I haven’t yet, but the day is still young.”
“We’re not fucking now. We’re friends. You’re the one who changed the name of the game.”
I wanted to ask why we couldn’t be both, but then I remembered I almost lost my mind earlier because I couldn’t figure out if this was a date or not, so maybe that wasn’t the best idea. “I like this too,” was what I settled on.
Declan bristled beside me. “We should keep looking around. There’s a lot to see still.” He cleared his throat and stood, and I stood too.
Things were awkward for the next few minutes, until we settled onto comfortable ground again while we continued to explore the gardens and the courtyard and its fountains.
It was early evening by the time we finished. As I drove, I considered asking Declan if he wanted to grab dinner…or if he wanted to come over. I wanted more time with him.
Before I could ask, he said, “I have some stuff to take care of this evening,” as though aware of the thoughts circling my brain.
“Thank God. You were getting annoying. I was trying to figure out a way to get rid of you.”
He smirked, then whispered, “I don’t believe you.”
Yeah, well, that made two of us. “It’s true. I’ve been stuck with you all day.”
“I imagine that’s been difficult for you.”
“The worst.”
“I really do have plans,” he said, and yeah, I could admit I was glad to hear that, but I didn’t want him to feel obligated to spend time with me or to have an excuse when he couldn’t.
“Okay, but it would be fine if you didn’t. You have that right.” Was he going to spend time with his friends? Those three men who’d gotten through Declan’s exterior in ways he wouldn’t let anyone else?
I’m not jealous, I’m not jealous, I’m not jealous.
I was totally jealous.
Declan said, “I had fun today.”
I bit my cheek so I didn’t give him the cheesiest smile. “I did too.”
“Thank you…for making me go…and don’t ever expect me to admit anything like that again.”
“Cross my heart.” I acted out the movements with my right hand. “I won’t tell anyone how much you liked it and how you hope to do it again.”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far,” he said as I pulled up in front of his building, traffic packing the street beside me. He looked at me, his eyes slightly pinched like he was studying me. “See you later.” Declan got out, closed the door, and walked away without a second glance.
I sat there and watched him go.
CHAPTER TEN
Declan
I made my weekly trip to the grocery store for food that wasn’t for me. Typically, I would have gone earlier, but of course I hadn’t because I’d been with Sebastian. At the museum. Doing something that felt suspiciously like a date.
I’d still gone.
I could explain that away by the fact that I hadn’t known what we were doing ahead of time, but how did I excuse why I hadn’t found a way to make sure he knew it wasn’t a date?
