Page 17 of Found in Wild Sage

I’ve also seen him help people clear snow from their cars, the elderly cross a street, provide quick medical care when someone fell in the park, and go above and beyond for every single patient and employee at the clinic. He leaves early every other Wednesday to go volunteer his expertise at the local free clinic for uninsured and undocumented folks where the other Dr. Martinez works now. He’s just… good like that.

So, me?

I’m not special to him. I happen to fit into the selfless, service-oriented framework he has for his life.

I can accept that. I think.

But I’m not about to admit it’ll be a challenge for me. Not to anyone, let alone to Jack, who will likely try to dissuade me from wading into this if I’ve got feelings.

“You know I’ll marry you, right? I should’ve said something, but I assumed you knew.” His expression is almost embarrassed. Like he’s failed me by not making that clear sooner.

“Aw. Thanks. But I’m not sure entering your world would actually be a positive.”

He scowls. “Rude.”

I chuckle, relieved some of the tightness in my chest eases when I do. “You know what I mean.”

And because he is stunningly self-aware for an A-list celebrity, he nods. “I do.”

“Imagine the trolls taking to your socials,” I say with a smile. “Combing through every post, every sighting, flagging when we could’ve been meeting.”

He winces. “Asking why I didn’t bring you over to any location shoots.”

“Right.” I nod. “Then hackers would get into your emails and texts⁠—”

He points at me. “Good luck with that.”

“They’ll try,” I point out with raised brows.

He grimaces then nods. The sobering reality is obvious.

“Then by the time we’re in front of the judge, Trevor’s lawyer would have a whole file on all our encounters and whereabouts and…”

Jack sighs. “It’d be pretty obvious we’re not a real thing. I know.”

I don’t want to tank your chances is what he doesn’t say aloud. I hear it, though, and reach out to clasp his hand.

Maybe it’s incredibly stupid that I’m more inclined to marry Declan, whom I’ve known for a year and have feelings for, than Jack, whom I’ve known for several years and who knows all the gory details of my past and is one of the only people I let close enough to consider a real friend, but I’m going to.

Even if it will end up in a broken heart.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Declan

Evie and I have greeted each other each morning like usual. The sun rises a little higher when I get my hug from Charlie, when I see her smile, and when she surrenders her bag to me and says in that soft, rich, lovely voice of hers, “Thank you.”

Or maybe the mornings are so bright because we’re doing this. We’re technically engaged. We’re moving toward something, and even though it’s for a specific purpose, I’m fool enough to enjoy holding the knowledge. I am doing something. I’m helping her.

We have not discussed details. And tonight is the family party for my oldest niece, so we need to. But we’ve got no privacy at the clinic, and there’s ultimately nothing to be done but wait until I pick her and Charlie up.

I park in front of the small house that holds her second-story apartment, then hustle to turn off my car and race to the door where I see her balancing Charlie, a diaper bag, and another bag, along with something else in her hand, all while she’s trying to inch her way over the threshold.

“What can I take?” I ask, right as Charlie lunges toward me.

“Dec-Dec-Dec! Hi! Dec!”

He squeals as I catch him, my other hand shooting out to steady Evie.