Page 48

“I can see the wheels turning in your head,” Declan said, breaking into my thoughts. “Don’t think about it Sophie. I like you and I think you like me.”

I was pretty sure that was a question mark at the end of his sentence, but I couldn’t dwell on it because Declan had just told me he liked me.

Declan O’Shaughnessy likes me.

Nearly 18 years later, but I’d finally gotten the confession I wanted. Maybe I should have been annoyed it was so long in coming, but I wasn’t. Because hearing those three simple words felt damn good.

“Tell you what. How about I give you a call later and we’ll figure something out?”

I smiled. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Great,” he said.

“Great,” I repeated.

“Okay then.”

“Okay.”

“Are we doing this again?” he asked, laughing.

“It appears we are,” I answered on a shy smile, shuffling my feet.

“Shit, you’re cold,” he said, realizing he was inside a warm car while I continued to stand in the frigid night air.

“Fucking freezing.” I smiled at him like a fool but didn’t move.

Even though I was fucking freezing, parts of me were very warm and I couldn’t bring myself to care about potential frost bite.

“Okay, get in your car. I’ll call you.”

I waited a second or two to see if he’d pull away.

“Get in your car Sophie.”

“Okay, okay,” I muttered, climbing into the Volkswagen.

When Declan drove away, I wrapped my arms around my body and bounced in my seat. I think I’d just agreed to go on a date with Declan.

Eek!