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Declan leans into me and says, “I never had any doubts.”
I can’t imagine he did. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine Declan has ever had a doubt about anything in his entire life.
Juno walks back to the table. Will and Elizabeth have left. Eli, Keene, and Brooklyn are engrossed in a conversation of their own.
“What’s happening?” She’s looking around at the commotion.
Declan just shakes his head. “It’s over. James conceded. Just didn’t have the votes.”
Juno’s eyes look like they might pop out of her head. “What?”
He’s still shaking his head. “I know. It was looking good, but then California and Texas came in, and it just changed everything.”
She’s looking around the room and a line appears between her brows. “Declan, why are people celebrating if he lost?”
Declan shrugs. “It’s weird. I know – people handle loss in different ways, Juno.”
She walks over and punches him in the arm. “You’re a dickhead.”
He smiles and points at her. “But I had you going for like two seconds.”
She punches him again. “Maybe one.”
“Senator Stowe just conceded,” I say.
Juno’s face lights up. “Really? It’s over? He won?”
I nod, and Juno starts to jump up and down. She rushes over to Keene, and they jump up and down together.
“Youarea dickhead, Dex.” I say, just looking at him out of the corner of my eye.
“Oh Mags, that can’t possibly be true,” he leans his head toward me. “Would you have been sitting here with me all night if I was?”
I don’t make eye contact with him and clear my throat. Before I can think of a response, music starts blaring. Declan grabs my hand, “Come on, Buttercup. Let’s dance.”
We stumble onto the elevator together.
“What time is it?” I yawn. He checks his watch. “Four.”
I wobble a little.
He gives me a sideways look. “Buttercup, are you drunk?”
I’m holding my heels in my hand. I ditched them hours ago on the dance floor. “No. I’m not.”
I hold my head high. “I’m just slightly buzzed.”
He grins and takes a step closer to me. I walk backwards until my back hits the railing behind me. He places both of his hands on the wall, on either side of my head, boxing me in. He dips his head, and I look up at him, my heart pounding. “We’re staying on the same floor.”
His voice is barely a whisper, but it resonates through me – vibrating against every part of me as it goes.
He leans down a little closer, his lips are just hovering over mine.
“Can I kiss you?” he asks. I’m surprised he asked. Not upset – just surprised.
“Declan...” I sigh. He rests his forehead against mine and says, “Margarita...”
I laugh and then look up at him with all the seriousness I can muster. “James and Elizabeth would kill us.”
