Page 53 of This Feeling
“What’s yours?” I asked, breaking off a piece of banana bread that was still in the box and popping it into my mouth.
“That’s easy. It’s ‘I Know Places’.”
I chuckled. “That does fit you, or at least your life at the beginning of the year.”
“Tell me about it. So, the hot new cop got you off in your dream. What are you going to do about it?”
I gave a one-shoulder shrug. “There isn’t anything Icando right now. I told Sean I’d help him until July.”
“Why can’t you tell Declan the truth, at least? You’ve told everyone closest to you.”
A harsh, humorless laugh slipped free. “And risk flirting with him? No, I can’t do that. My season tickets could be on the line.”
Her brows shot up. “Season tickets? To what?”
I chewed on my lower lip.
Cadie scowled at me. “Please tell me they’re not for the Giants.”
Screwing up my face, I nodded. “They are.”
“No! No! No! Why didn’t you get Patriots?”
I pretended to gag. “Gross. You’re in New York now, Cadie. It’s time you leave your Boston sports back in New England.”
She let out another gasp. “Never!”
“Anyway, back to my point. I promised Sean I’d help, and now I have to follow through. Besides, he didn’t actuallymeanto break up with me over a loudspeaker.”
Cadie gave me a look. “Maybe not. But he didn’t have to do it at The Green, regardless. You’re a much better person than me. I’d have told him to shove off.” It was her turn to sigh. “At least you can enjoy sexy dreams with the hot older brother in the meantime.”
I exhaled. “I don’t know. How will I face him after having a dream like that? I mean, it was the hottest dream I’ve ever had.”
“I still say tell him the truth. If this charade is for Sean’s mother, I don’t see why you can’t tell the brother. Declan, was it?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “That’s his name.”
“Even his name is sexy.”
Laughing, I tossed my napkin at her. “Aren’t you in love with Kian?”
“Yes, very much so. That doesn’t mean my eyes don’t work.”
“What am I going to do, Cadie?”
“Do you think Declan is attracted to you?”
I chewed on my lip nervously. “I don’t know. Sometimes when he looks at me, I feel something between us. I also thought the same thing when I was younger, but back then, it may have just been wishful thinking on my part.”
“Well, there’s one thing I know for sure. You’ll never be able to find out if you’re pretending to date his brother.”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “You’re right. I need to tell Sean this has to end sooner rather than later. He’ll have to just grow a pair and stand up to his mother.”
Cadie scrunched up her face. “If she’s anything like Kian’s mother, good luck with that.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever remembered it being so hot this early in the summer,” Aurora said as she sat in a fold-out chair beside me. We were both working the barbecue booth, and I must admit, it washot.
“Turn that fan and let it blow on you for a bit,” I said, as I smiled at a woman walking up with Winnie Turner. Winnie was Hope and Liam’s young daughter. “Hi! In the mood for some barbecue?” I asked.
