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"Sorry,I'mlate,”Isay the second Declan pulls the door open.
He is standing before me in a white collared shirt tucked into his pants. His hair looks freshly combed; and his hard jaw, smooth.
I glance down at my own dress and try not to feel underdressed.
I had chosen a black dress that stops just above my knees. I'd worn my favorite red jacket over it because it was drizzling when I'd stepped out to catch a cab here.
I had not asked Declan whether it was going to be an official dinner, but I had taken a wild guess that it would be. However, I still didn’t want to feel overdressed, so I chose this. I’d complemented the outfit with neutral-colored ankle boots, low heels, and silver hoop earrings for a polished, underrated look.
Declan appears to approve of the style because he looks me over and gives me a pleased smile.
"Felicity." He leans toward me again, this time, I am prepared, tilting my face up to receive Declan's cheek kiss.
As soon as warm lips brush over my cheek, a full-body shudder engulfs me, I chuckle in an attempt to laugh the attached reaction away.
Declan leans back, his eyes meet mine.
"Good evening, Felicity. And no, you're not late. You're right on time," he says, pushing the door open and ushering me in. "I'm afraid we will have to wait for Eli. He is not done."
Declan and I move toward the couch and settle on it. He appears slightly tensed, I wonder whether his current mood has anything to do with Eli, his son.
Minutes later, I hear the loud stomping of shoes on the stairs as Eli steps away from the corner. Dressed nearly identical as his father, white-crisp shirt, untucked, unlike Declan’s polished look.
"Hello, Eli," I admire when he meets my eyes.
"Hello," he responds, avoiding my eyes. "I'm ready, Dad," he says to his father, who gazes at him as if he wants to say something more.
I am tempted to drop a hand onto Declan's powerful forearm, but I don't.
"We'd best be on our way then," Declan says as he gets up.
We make our way toward his car, Declan chivalrously opens the car door for me. I get in and glance at Eli in the rearview mirror to find his eyes already on the window. It might be a little awkward to start a conversation with him distracted, but I try.
"It looks like it might rain, doesn't it?"
"That's not what the forecast said," comes Eli's snarky reply.
I don't have to think of something else to say to the kid because his father gets into the car a second later and begins to drive the car out of the driveway. I don't attempt to make small talk because I am distracted by the sight of Declan's strong thighs, so close to mine in the car. And his cologne, which drifts into my nose with the slightest of movements.
When I find myself remembering how Declan's lips felt against my cheeks, I quickly lean forward to play something on the radio. I find a classic channel, but as soon as a song begins to play, Eli says, "I don't like classical music."
I turn to him because that's the first thing he has said without being forced.
"It's not your favorite?"
"It's not. Change it."
"That's not a very polite way of asking," I tell him because I won't stand his rudeness.
Eli looks mildly surprised at my response. This time, I keep my gaze on him and don't look away. He glares at me for several seconds and then huffs and looks away, nose thrust into the air snottily.
"You can play whatever you like."
I try not to feel hurt by his attitude because I understand that's what Eli's mission is - to hurt me. I know that I'll piss him off if I mask how badly his attitude hurts.
When I settle back on the seat, I turn to Declan and find him clenching his jaw hard. He does not say anything, even though I feel a little hurt that he doesn't. I do wonder what it is I really expect him to say.
Eli is clearly having a hard time coming to terms with my presence in their lives. I know that if I want to win him over, I have to be patient. The right time will come.
