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“I am,” I say with a smile.
He starts making our drinks, talking to me about my stats from last season, but I’m not really paying attention. My eyes keep drifting back to Emma who has her hand pressed against the glass and is watching as we slowly raise up into the air.
He finishes and I tip him, signing a napkin when he asks before I head over to my girl.
“Quite the view,” she says when I join her and I nod, but my eyes are locked on her.
I pass her the appletini and take a swig of my beer as we stand side by side, gazing out at the Las Vegas strip.
As we reach the top of the wheel, I realize that one night with her isn’t going to be enough.
THREE
Emma
I letDeclan take my hand and lead me off of the High Roller. He was so attentive on the ride, replacing my drink and holding me as we got to the top. The view had been incredible and the company had been even better.
I had listened and giggled as he told me stories about the NFL and some of his teammates. He told me funny anecdotes from his first year with the team and learning the ropes, and then some funny ones from being on the road.
We wander down the strip, stopping to watch the Bellagio fountain show. He lets me lean against the railing in front of him so that I can see better, his arms on either side of me and in that moment, I feel loved and cherished. Wanted, even.
As we walk down the strip hand in hand, I feel happy. For the first time in my life, I feel desirable.
I’ve never had much male attention before, and now, suddenly, I have one of the hottest men that I’ve ever seen in my life paying attention to me. He’s interested in me, in what I have to say, and what I think.
“Are you hungry?” Declan asks, shaking me from my thoughts.
I glance up, noticing that we’re in front of some fancy-looking restaurant.
“No, I’m alright,” I say just as Taylor and the bridesmaids come stumbling out of the limo parked at the curb.
“Oh my God! Declan!” Chloe screeches, untangling her arm from Taylor’s and rushing over to throw her arms around Declan’s neck.
I drop Declan’s hand as she trips toward us and he catches her. My stomach drops as I see his arms around her waist, holding her up.
They look like they belong together. Two perfect, skinny, beautiful people.
My face flames and I have to look away when I feel tears prick the back of my eyes.
“There you are, Emma!” Taylor says as if she was looking for me this whole time.
I want to roll my eyes, but that would only piss her off, so I keep my mouth shut as I take a step closer to her and the twins.
“Hey,” I say quietly.
Nikki and Kaitlyn are both swarming and fawning over Declan, and I swallow hard as they rub their hands over him.
“We’re headed over to hit up 1OAK. You should join us, Declan,” Taylor says flirtatiously.
I glance at Declan and see him looking at me. His eyes hold a question, but I look away. Taylor slides her arm through mine and I force a smile to my lips as she starts to drag me down the sidewalk.
Declan and the bridesmaids follow us as we head into another dark nightclub. I’m hoping that I can lose them and head back to my hotel room when they go out on the dancefloor. I can text them and say I didn’t feel well. They won’t even miss me and then I can text Eloise and read for the rest of the night. Anything to forget that for just a second, I believed that I had a chance with Declan.
Taylor finds a table right away in spite of the crowds out to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and orders a round of drinks and shots. The shots arrive first and I take the one that is set before me, downing it in one go. I look up, my gaze wandering across the table, meeting Declan’s eyes. He’s frowning at me, his worried gaze pinning me to my seat.
I want to say something. I want to crawl into his lap and go back to when it was just him and I, but before I can, Chloe leans into him. Her hand slides up his thigh and I wince, looking away.
Declan is sandwiched between Nikki and Chloe with Kaitlyn practically crawling over her sister to sit in his lap. They’re hanging on his every word and my stomach clenches as I stare at them.
