“I arrived ten minutes early and he was forty minutes late. He texted to warn me he was running behind schedule and said something about traffic.” I snorted again because Poplar Springs has a population around six thousand, including all the ranches. It wasn’t like we struggled with rush hour. “Once he got there, he proceeded to pound back drinks, complain about his job, and flirt with anything with a pulse. Then he stumbled to the bathroom and I never saw him again.”
“Oh my God. That’s horrible.”
“I ended up covering his tab and when I texted him to ask him to Venmo me to pay me back, he pretended that he had no idea who I was.”
Fiona started laughing and I joined her. As awful as it was at the time, I could see the funny in it. Sort of. It would be easier to laugh about it if it hadn’t happened tome. Thankfully, Sofia Alvarez paid him a little visit wearing her deputy uniform and he handed over the money without any further tricks.
“So… if you could date anyone you wanted, who would it be?”
“Rami Malek? Sebastian Stan?”
“Ooof. Too old.”
“Matt Rife? He’s funny. He could make me laugh when I feel down.”
“Isn’t he dating a Kardashian? How about someone more local to look out for you and care about you?”
I hated to admit to myself that because of our business arrangement, Declan was doing exactly that. Minus the wooing part, of course. The fact that he’d shown up to talk over the freezer incident instead of calling or texting about it felt… personal. And he’d shown up unexpectedly to check on Belle too. But Declan’s concern was just a part of the job, wasn’t it? It didn’t mean that he cared personally about me… did it?
I shook my head. “Nope, can’t think of anyone.” Fortunately, she finished then, so I was saved from further discussions about me being lonely.
“Ta da,” Fiona said triumphantly, doing jazz hands behind my head.
“Wow, I love it,” I said, twisting my head back and forth to admire the elegant updo.
“You look gorgeous. But…”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “But what?”
“Can I put a tiny bit of makeup on you?” She held her fingers a few inches apart.
I let out a resigned sigh. “Why not? I’ve come this far; let’s get nuts.”
“Yay,” Fiona clapped her hands and ran out of the bathroom. “You are definitely gonna turn some heads tonight. And who knows, maybe you’ll find someone worth spending time with!”
I frowned when I finally admitted to myself that there was only one person who mattered.
THIRTEEN
SHANNON
Fiona had offered to let me tag along with her and Eli, but I opted to drive myself so I could duck out early if necessary. I doubted my decision to go solo as I made my way into the private room at the restaurant. It sounded like the party was already in full swing, which meant I’d have to walk into the crowd and find a way to insert myself into the fun.
I paused to take a deep breath before entering, then threw my shoulders back and strode in, hoping I looked more confident than I felt.
A wolf whistle pierced the cocktail music and every eye turned to me. I felt my cheeks go hot as I looked around the room for the source and laughed when I realized that it was the bride-to-be herself. Zoe waved and blew me a kiss, and Josh gave me a wide-eyed thumbs-up. I waved back and ducked my head, trying not to scan the crowd to see if Declan had witnessed my grand entrance.
I hightailed it to the open bar, trying not to wobble in the nude heels Fiona had forced me to wear. I turned to survey the group as I waited for the bartender to pour a glass of chardonnay forme. Zoe and Josh were in the center of a crowd of well-wishers, both of them positively beaming. Zoe had remained true to her goth sensibilities in a black lace dress and Josh looked dapper in a blazer, pressed jeans, and his best boots. It still made me laugh that the emo computer girl and quarterback had found their happily ever after together. Deep down, it gave me hope that my perfect someone was out there too.
“Is it rude if I saywow?”
I whipped around to find Declan smiling at me.
“Hi… uh, no, it’s not rude at all,” I stammered in response as I took him in, blushing again. “You look great too.”
He was a different person without his hat and stubble. His sandy-colored hair was brushed back, more styled than I’d ever seen it, including the night he met me at the Rooftop. Even though I’d fallen for casual, sweaty Declan, the dressy version made me feel a little lightheaded. Instead of his usual Henley he was in a form-fitting white dress shirt that made him look like he’d just gotten off a yacht. And when he smiled at me?
Weak knees.
