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My cheeks warm. “Thank you, Isaiah. I appreciate it.”
His eyes soften with fondness. “Of course, Cat. I thought you’d realize by now there is very little I wouldn’t do for you.”
The words themselves aren’t inappropriate, but the way Isaiah looks at me makes me uneasy. It’s impossible not to remember how put out he’d acted when he learned of my engagement to Declan, and I can still hear my fiancé accusing my boss of having feelings for me.
But I shove those thoughts away and force a small smile. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” His admiring stare doesn’t waver.
I shuffle my feet, feeling compelled to change the subject and save myself from the awkward tension swirling in the air between us. “I really should get back to inventorying this shipment before we open.” I motion to the shelf and the clipboard still clutched to my chest.
“Of course.” He takes a step back and straightens his suit jacket. “I’ll leave you to it.” He disappears into the main showroom.
Relief courses through me. I look down at the clipboard and resume checking off the items we’ve received in the shipment. Once I’m done, I take care to unwrap the items and examine their state to confirm none were damaged in transit. There’s no bigger headache than discovering a piece of art with a scratch or dent. Depending on the artist, it can severely impact the worth of the item, and then our gallery and the artist are due to engage in a contentious argument about how to handle the loss in profit.
An hour and several cramped fingers later, I am pleased to confirm no visible damage is observed on any of the pieces of art. I walk back to my desk with the clipboard in hand when my cell phone vibrates in my dress pocket.
I take it out. My heart flips when I see Declan’s name on the screen.
I have a question for you.
Yes?
Do you know why I have the worst crick in my neck this morning? It feels like someone’s hard head pinned me down in an uncomfortable position for hours last night.
I huff a quiet laugh. Declan and I stayed up late into the night watching movies together. I’m not sure at what part of the third movie I fell asleep. All I know is that I woke up at five in the morning with my cheek pressed against Declan’s chest as he reclined on the couch’s armrest, mortified to realize I’d drooled on him.
Excuse me, I believe it was your arm that held me pressed against you like a teddy bear.
I miss my childhood bear. His name was Chubbs.
I grin at the random piece of information.
What happened to Chubbs?
Sadly, he got lost on a family vacation when I was seven.
I’m sorry to hear that.
Thank you. What about you? Any childhood loveys you plan on bringing to our marriage bed?
My cheeks flush.
Nope. I gave up Lamby when I turned twelve. But he still sits on my guest bed at my father’s house.
I can’t wait to be introduced next time your father invites me over.
I laugh at the image of Declan touring my childhood bedroom, let alone “meeting” my favorite stuffed animal.
I’m sure you can’t.
Declan responds by sending a winking emoji, and I can’t help but smile like a fool at the device.
This conversation feels like an extension of last night. And an extension of Newport. I enjoy getting to see the softer side of my fiancé. He’s not the hardened future mob boss he was raised to be all the time. It’s nice to believe he and I may be able to forge a real relationship.
You’ve already slept with him… how much more real can it get?
I’d hoped Declan would make a move last night. After the first movie, I thought there was a good chance. Especially when he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and tucked me into his side.
