Page 140 of See You Maybe
Declan’s lips folded in, clearly not believing her. “We should go up.”
Olivia heard the laughter through the door before Declan knocked. Dahlia swung the door open with a wide smile. “You’re late. You’ll have to play catch up,” she said, ushering them into the main room where a large group clustered around a large kitchen island.
Olivia recognized most of the people present, but she could feel the intense scrutiny of the two older women and man sitting on the sofa.
Cami pressed a glass of wine into her hand. “I walked this gauntlet a couple months ago. It’s easier with alcohol, I promise.” She gave Olivia a wink as the others waved hello.
The eyes on her were speculative, but Olivia quickly realized what Declan had meant. The moment they’d crossed the threshold, Declan’s entire demeanor changed. He was cold and remote, his face unsmiling. Olivia wondered if it was more that Declan held himself apart from his family, than that they couldn’t accept him.
“I know most of you have met Olivia before.” Declan’s voice was stiff.
“We haven’t officially met,” the twin with his arm around Dahlia said with a mischievous smile, his eyes flicking to his older brother. “I’ve been dying to meet you. I’m Luke, the more attractive twin.”
Dahlia rolled her eyes and elbowed him in the side. “Try to behave for at least a few minutes.”
An identically handsome man, his gray eyes more cautious than his twin’s, stepped forward, his hand extended. "I'm James, and you know my wife, Cami." His tone was so proud Olivia couldn’t help but smile.
Cara stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Olivia, jostling her wine glass, and whispered in her ear so that no one else could hear. “I’m so glad you are here.” Releasing her, Cara gave Declan a look as he suddenly loomed over Olivia. “Relax, Dec. No one is going to bite her.”
Olivia heard Declan half growl and half sigh. “She’s worse since she met you.” He directed the comment to the man leaning against the wall in the corner, one ankle crossed over the other.
“She’s perfect,” Wes said.
“Aww.” Cami and Dahlia sighed, while Luke and James groaned.
“I hate to keep bringing this up, but… There’s an agreement about the two of you being so nauseating,” Luke said.
“I definitely remember that, but Cara and Wes keep ignoring our rules. Ow!” James pretended to flinch when his wife punched him in the shoulder.
“Are you done yet?” Declan asked.
“Just getting started.” Luke’s eyes gleamed, his attention turning to Olivia. “For example, where did the two of you meet?”
Olivia froze. They hadn’t discussed what they would say. “Declan bought the company I work for, and we’ve spent a lot of time together.”
Declan stepped so close she could feel the heat of his body down the side of hers. To her surprise, he caught her free hand, and lifted it to kiss the back of her hand. She wasn’t the only one shocked. The entire room had gone silent, everyone watching them with varying degrees of wide eyes and open mouths.
“We first met while we were both in Ireland twelve years ago.”
The twins exchanged confused glances, but Olivia’s attention was drawn to the woman with thick dark curls who had risen from the sofa.
“Were the constellations out of alignment twelve years ago or something?” Cami’s brows rose high.
“What do you mean?” Cara cocked her head.
“It seems like a momentous year for this family.”
If it was possible, Declan stilled even further, but Cami continued, oblivious to his tension.
“Twelve years ago, James was an idiot, letting me slip through his fingers, and joined the Navy.” She smirked at her husband.
Dahlia turned a thoughtful look at Luke. “That’s true. That would be about the time you said that Declan and?—”
Luke silenced her with a hard kiss, a look exchanged between them before he asked, “What happened in Ireland?”
Olivia licked her lips, nerves swirling.
“None of your business.” The woman standing by the sofa finally spoke, her Irish accent strong.