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Easygoing Sam looked like he wanted to rip Declan’s head off. “I was honest with her about where we stood, and she didn’t like what I had to say.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Holly asked, coming up next to them, her gaze shifting from one to the other.
“Best man to groomsman stuff,” Sam said.
“Really?” She turned her attention to Declan. “What kind of stuff?”
“We’re pitching in to get Clark a gift from all of us and Sam was asking my opinion.” Sam nodded in agreement, obviously on the same page about keeping this between the two of them.
“Oh, that’s a great idea. I’ll see if I can get the bridesmaids to do something for Merry.” Holly took a step closer to him and seemed to realize Sam was watching them and stopped. “You going to try to have fun with this?”
“I’ll participate, but fun?” he said, suppressing a smile when she released an exasperated sigh. “I’ll pretend.”
Holly grinned. “I guess that will have to do.”
“Hey Declan, I’ve got our list,” Sally said, coming up alongside him and slipping her arm through his, surprising him. She’d barely said two words to him since she’d pulled his name. “Should we get started?”
“Uh, sure.” Declan looked at Holly, who was staring at their joined arms with narrowed eyes. “I’ll see you back here.”
“May the best team win,” Sam said, smirking.
With a hard yank, Sally pulled Declan toward the exit.
Declan glanced back at Holly in time to watch Sam drop an arm around Holly’s shoulders. “Ready to roll?”
Declan knew the other man was messing with him, and unfortunately it was working. The only satisfaction he got was Holly stepping away from his touch, her gaze following Declan off the bus.
He had to talk to her. They’d said honesty, and even if he had to sneak into her room after everyone went to bed, he needed to tell her that he had feelings for her. Deep, scary ones he hadn’t thought he was capable of.
“Should we look at our clue first or walk and strategize at the same time?” Sally asked, once they’d stepped off the bus.
“This is your show. I’ll follow your lead.”
She opened the envelope and retrieved the slip of paper inside. “Your carriage awaits two blocks east on 11th in front of the gaming store. On the seat will be your first important task. Read the clues and move along. The clock is ticking, so don’t be long.”
Declan smiled. Of course there would be carriages involved. Holly would plan tonight with flair.
“I’m actually surprised that Holly didn’t rig this whole thing to pick your name. You two are living together, right?” Sally asked.
Declan stiffened with surprise. “I’m renting a room from her.”
“So it’s not serious?”
Yes, it is!
“No, she’s helping me out.”
“Too bad. I’ve always liked Holly. I’ve been a little perturbed with her lately, but now I know none of what’s been going on is her fault. Can you believe Sam asked her to run interference between us? Like I’m some emotionally disturbed woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Declan had no idea why she was telling him this, but it was obvious by the way she looked over at him that he was supposed to have some kind of reaction, so he simply made a non-committal “hmm.”
“I mean, why can’t men be honest? Is it really so hard to discuss your feelings? Like, you probably told Holly how you felt, right? That’s why the two of you are able to keep things civil, even though you aren’t together.”
Declan did not want to talk about his relationship with Holly, but her words struck a chord. He wasn’t being entirely honest, especially about his deepening affection for his hostess.
“I don’t know what Holly and I have to do with what you’re talking about but—”
“I’m simply making a point that men can behave like grown-ups sometimes. Sam said he wasn’t interested in me, but he’d flirt like crazy and it was so confusing. I think he liked my attention and didn’t want that to stop, so he gave mixed signals to keep me dangling after him.”
