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Holly didn’t hear Sam’s response as they rounded the big pine and she was left alone with Declan.
“What is wrong with you?” she asked, planting her hands on her hips. “Are you grumpy because you hate this game or something else?”
“Who says I’m grumpy?” Declan asked, heading around the other side of the tree with Holly hot on his heels.
“That tone. The tub of sarcasm you just dumped all over me. The fact that you just about started a brawl in the middle of the park during your friend’s bachelor party.”
“I don’t like that guy.”
“But everyone likes Sam.”
“Everyone being you?” Declan stopped and turned to face her, the lines in his face tight.
“Sam is just a friend.”
“I didn’t like seeing another man putting his hands all over you.”
Holly’s heart hammered at the raw jealousy in his voice. “It was just a kiss on the cheek.”
“I don’t care. I hated it. I wanted to lay Sam out flat. I used to think he was a good guy, but now all I see is that smug smirk as he puts his arm around you and thinks it’s okay to do whatever he wants. On the bus, in the carriage—”
Holly grabbed his arms and shook him as best she could. “I don’t want Sam!”
Declan stared down at her, his jaw clenched. “Fuck, I’m not this guy. I’m not this jealous, possessive guy. But I see you with him and it’s just easy with you two. There’s no baggage, he doesn’t say the wrong thing or hurt your feelings the way I have.”
“There’s also no spark. What Sam and I have is fun and superficial. He’s not the guy who makes me feel safe when I’m nervous or teases my bad mood away. Just you.” Holly stepped closer, moving her hands to his chest. “I don’t want anyone else.”
Declan’s hands came up and cradled her face. “What’s that mean?”
“Hey!” Sam called.
They pulled back enough to see Sally and Sam coming around the wide pine’s base.
“He did that on purpose,” Declan grumbled and Holly patted Declan’s chest.
“We’ll pick this up later.”
“The bags are on the other side, but they’re too high for us,” Sally said breathlessly as if she’d been running. “We need Declan.”
Holly took a step to follow, surprised when Declan’s hand slipped down and threaded his fingers with hers, his eyes on Sam, who grinned.
“So that’s the way of it, huh?”
Holly pulled Declan along behind her, poking Sam in the stomach as they passed.
“What was that for?”
“Causing trouble.”
“Trouble is my middle name,” he quipped before holding his hand out to Declan. “No hard feelings, man. I just thought you two needed a little come to Jesus moment.”
“What do you—you’re telling me hanging all over Holly was just to get a rise outta me?”
“No, I mean, partly. I like hanging on Holly. She’s soft and smells good—”
“Sam, shut up and stop making it worse,” Holly growled, squeezing Declan’s hand. “He’s being a turd.”
“All right, I am, and I’m sorry. Bygones?” he asked, his hand still extended between them.
