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Declan cocked his head to the side. “That’s all you have to say?”
“You could always do it with me. Everyone keeps asking about you.”
Declan shook his head. “You built your following by being authentic and fun all by yourself. You keep that up even while going in a different direction and people will continue to be drawn to you.”
“How do you know that?”
He dropped his brush into a mason jar of water and walked over to her chair, placing his hands on either side of her thighs on the seat. “Because it works for me.”
Holly’s heart pounded at the deep timbre of his voice, rumbling through her pleasantly. “My authenticity is what you like about me?”
“It’s one of the things.” His lips hovered over hers. “Then there’s this smart mouth.” He kissed her, barely brushing her lips with his. “Your eyes.” Declan’s mouth trailed along her neck. “Your skin.”
“Hmmm, go on.”
Declan chuckled, kneeling down on the floor in front of her. “The way you spoil my cat and think I don’t notice.”
Holly laughed. “Hey, it is not my fault he figured out where I hid the catnip.”
“Or the new cat tree in the living room? The kitty tunnel in the dining room?”
“They had a holiday sale online.” Holly ran her hand over his face, her fingertips playing with the soft hairs of his beard.
“Well, you talked about getting a cat, so when the two of us move out, you’ll already have half the supplies you need,” Declan said.
Holly’s heart bottomed out, knowing he was only being honest, but in the four days Declan and Leo had been living with her, she’d found herself making plans without realizing what she was doing. The cat toys and furniture were a part of that, but she’d also been thinking about setting up one of the other rooms as a studio in case Declan’s talk with his dad about the store didn’t go well. It wasn’t as if there was anything in that room and it wouldn’t take much to get it set up for that.
Except you’re supposed to be casual roommates, not a couple.
“You’re right,” Holly said, clearing her throat. “I’m going to keep thinking about the name.” The sudden urge to curl into a ball and cry consumed her, and she started to get up. “I should get going. See you at home.”
“You don’t want to see what I’m working on?”
“I thought you didn’t like to share before it was finished?”
“Hey,” Declan said, taking her chin in his hand. “What’s up? Are you not feeling this anymore?”
“No! I mean, I am. I’m just tired. It was a long day.”
Declan’s green eyes searched hers, then he released her and slid his hand to the back of her neck, massaging it. “Maybe we should put a hold on the pork chops and just order a pizza tonight?”
“That might not be a bad idea,” Holly said, glancing down at the screen of her phone. “Considering we have fifteen minutes to get back to the house before people start showing up to see the displays.”
“Well, shit. Maybe we should go out for dinner then.”
“I don’t know,” Holly said, smirking. “Not exactly low profile. If people see us sharing a meal, they might get the wrong impression.”
“Like we’re out on a date?” he said teasingly. “Who’d ever think something crazy like that?”
Even though she knew he hadn’t meant it rudely, the words stung and Holly pushed her chair away from him so she could stand. “Actually, I should probably check on Delilah. She wasn’t feeling well earlier.” Which was true, but mostly Holly wanted to talk to someone about Declan and Delilah didn’t have upcoming nuptials to worry about.
“Really? That sucks.” Declan climbed to his feet and leaned over to give her a fast, hard kiss. “Give her my best, all right?”
“What are you going to do until the crowds die down? Go talk to your dad?”
Declan sighed. “You’re pushing, Elf.”
Holly threw up her hands. “I know, but I don’t want you to regret not working things out sooner. I know his actions hurt and I’m not excusing them, but you love him, right?”
