Page 141 of See You Maybe
“Declan’s never hesitated to interfere with our lives,” Luke objected. “It’s only fair.”
“Luke,” James warned.
Luke made a face. “Fine. It’s nice to meet you, Olivia.”
She managed a smile. “All of you as well.”
“You never mentioned her before.” Declan’s mother’s voice was unyielding, despite her shutting down a similar line of conversation by Luke. “Does her presence here mean you’ve changed your plans about marrying Fiona Carrol?”
“Yes.”
Olivia’s chest tightened. His mother did not look happy. “What is your plan to sway the other votes?”
Siobhan’s eyes landed on Olivia, but she couldn’t read the woman’s expression. Declan tightened his hand on hers, but when she looked up, his face looked like it was carved from stone.
“If you don’t marry his daughter, you won’t have the votes you need.”
Is that all that mattered to the woman? What about her son’s happiness?
“Nothing personal against you.” Her eyes bored into Olivia in an eerily similar way to her son. “I’m sure you are a lovely young woman, but for Declan to throw?—”
Olivia could feel Declan’s muscles bunch against her side. “Mam!” he snapped out, harsh enough to startle everyone. “Be very care?—”
To everyone’s surprise, Cara suddenly stepped forward, standing in front of Olivia, and cast a bright smile on the older woman. “Siobhan, have you ever seen Declan’s tattoo?”
Siobhan’s face gentled. “A leanbh, I appreciate?—”
“It’s the most gorgeous, white rose,” Cara spoke quickly. “It’s over his heart. He’s had it for years.”
“Cara.” Declan’s voice rumbled with warning, but his sister continued unfazed, her expression determined.
“I had forgotten all about it, because even though I only saw it one time—and Declan was drunk off his ass—he was practically incoherent, quoting poetry and raving about the lost wild white rose. Have you seen it?” Her gaze took in the rest of the family.
“I thought you said you got it after a pub crawl?” Luke said suspiciously.
“Of course, we’ve seen his tattoo, but you’re babbling Car-bear,” James interjected, angling his head to where Siobhan had her arms crossed over her chest. “If you’ve got a point, you might want to get to it.”
Cara lifted her chin. “Do you remember a few weeks ago, I mentioned Olivia’s perfume…”
Olivia’s cheeks flamed, and Declan stepped slightly in front of her, as though protecting her from his family’s examination. Because they were all staring at her now.
“Wild White Rose,” Dahlia murmured, her wide eyes shooting to Declan. “Your tattoo is a white rose.”
“There was no way it was a coincidence. The name of her perfume being the same phrase he said to me that night. You all saw him at the ball in New York. He was practically feral over her.” Cara challenged her brothers before turning back to Siobhan. “I love you and know how protective you are, but you have to see… This whole time… It’s always been her.” Cara’s voice cracked, and Wes strode forward to put his arm around her, pulling her close, glaring at the rest of the family, like they had been the ones to upset her.
Cara pushed away, her eyes glossy. “It took someone new to recognize the pain Declan’s been living with.” She gestured at Dahlia and Cami. “They saw right away what we’ve all missed. We’ve all been complacent because Dec is well…” She waved her hand at him. “Declan. The impenetrable, unfeeling fortress. But the second Olivia came back into his life…”
Siobhan stared at Cara for a moment, and then her eyes returned to Declan, before going past him to Olivia.
Siobhan’s shoulders relaxed. “At least you got there in the end.” She turned to the couple still seated and lifted her eyebrows.
“Don’t gloat, Siobhan, it’s unattractive,” Anne said mildly.
“I’m not gloating, Anne,” Siobhan said gleefully, in direct contradiction to her words, “I’m simply saying I told you so.”
What is happening?
Declan’s thoughts must have run along the same lines. “What the fuck are you talking about?” he snapped.