When Sparks Fly

“That won’t happen, Deck. Even if for some reason we don’t work as a couple, I wouldn’t want you to cut out the guys like you did Sam.”

“If they made me choose sides like he did, I’d always choose you, no matter what, even if we aren’t together like this,” he says with conviction as he motions between us.

“Choose sides? What do you mean?” I sit up a little straighter.

“Shit.” Declan sighs. “I forgot you didn’t know about that part.”

“What part? What are you talking about?”

“When you and Sam broke up, he told me I had to choose between him and you. You were so hurt by what he had done, and I was so angry at him for being unfaithful. It wasn’t hard to make a choice at all. I chose you.”

“I didn’t realize.” My heart squeezes. But now it all makes more sense, the way he cut Sam right out of his life and never looked back.

“I never want to see you hurt like that again, Ave. Just the thought scares the shit out of me.”

“No relationship is perfect, Declan. They all have ups and downs. We’re going to have arguments, we’ll fight like we always do and get over it, because that’s how we are. We’re still us, just a little different.” I’ve been waiting for a conversation like this. Aware we’ve been circling it, almost like a wild animal, afraid of the bite should we get too close.

“It’s a lot different, though. I’ve never done this before.” He runs his fingertips up and down my shin. “I’ve never cared enough to do this before. Or let myself care. You’re my best friend. I don’t want to do anything that’s going to jeopardize that, and I’m worried that I don’t have the ability not to.”

“Just because you haven’t done it before doesn’t mean you’re going to mess it up, Declan. If anything, you’ll be overly cautious. And that’s okay. I think the good thing is that we know each other really well, and we’re comfortable enough to talk to each other when we can see there’s a problem.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

“We’ll take it one step at a time, okay? If you’re worried, we can talk it through. You’re better at this than you think, Declan.”

He nods, then peeks up at me shyly. “Maybe when you’re feeling up to it, I could take you out, you know, on an actual date with dinner and drinks at a nice restaurant. You can wear that dress of London’s, but for me this time.”

“That night feels like a million years ago. What a waste of time and effort that date was.” I relax into the cushions, sighing as Declan kneads the back of my calf. “I wish I’d stayed home and watched the game with you and the guys.”

“Yeah, me too,” Declan says quietly. “Things might’ve turned out a lot different than they did.”

“How do you mean?”

“I think I was kind of disappointed that you’d made a date and never told me about it.” His gaze shifts my way. “I guess it was unexpected.”

“Is that why you went out?” I ask, trying to understand what fueled his decisions.

He lifts a shoulder. “Of all the mistakes I wish I could undo, that one is going to haunt me for the rest of my life.”

23

BACK IN THE GAME

AVERY

“Do you want to drive this morning?” Declan spins the keys on his finger. He’s dressed in a crisp black suit and looks ridiculously delicious.

I pull the curtains aside and peek out the window. It’s overcast, but otherwise the weather is agreeable. My confidence behind the wheel is growing every day, but I still have trouble handling the rain. I’m hoping I get over it sooner rather than later.

“Sure. I can do that. Or I can take an Uber. That’s probably easier for you.”

“I don’t have a meeting until nine, and you know I don’t mind.”

“Okay. Thanks, I really appreciate it.” I sling my purse over my shoulder and follow Declan down the hall.

My travel coffee mug is already waiting for me by the door. As is a breakfast sandwich. Over the past two weeks since my cast came off, we’ve settled into a new routine as I ease back into full time at Spark House. We alternate making breakfast in the morning for each other.

We head down to the parking garage, and I get settled in the driver’s seat, checking mirrors and adjusting the seat, since my legs are significantly shorter than Declan’s, before I put it in gear and head for the exit.

“You’re still good with the guys coming over tomorrow night?” Declan asks once I’ve pulled out onto the street.

“Absolutely. The more they see us together, the less awkward things will be, right?”

“Yeah. I think so anyway. Maybe if Mark ends up going out with that Sabrina girl again, we could have a couples’ thing. Like a dinner date or something, if that’s something you’re interested in?”