Page 149 of See You Maybe
“That’s terrifying,” Dahlia said. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s got the whole fallen dark angel thing going for him, but he’s scary as hell.”
“I know. What makes it worse is, I think Madison has gotten herself involved with him.” Cami shook herself. “That’s a story for another night.” Her lips quirked up. “However, if Alex Kovalyov is the one looking for him, Kyle should get a new identity. The Russian Bratva doesn’t mess around.”
Olivia’s new puppy clambered into Cara’s lap and happily plopped down. “Oscar,” Olivia scolded. “You can push him off.”
“No way,” Cara said, scratching his ears. “I can’t believe Declan got you a puppy. If I hadn’t seen the two of you together with my own eyes, I’d swear we were talking about someone else.”
“Why Oscar?” Dahlia asked.
Olivia blushed. “It’s kind of an inside joke.”
“Declan has inside jokes?” Cara looked skeptical, and even though Olivia knew his sister was teasing, she felt defensive.
Olivia got to her feet and pulled the worn paperback from the bookshelf and handed it to her.
“When I met Declan in Dublin, I asked him what the last book he’d read was. He gave me his copy to take with me.”
Cami shoved her lower lip out with an, “Aww. You kept it.”
Dahlia took the thin book from Cara, pursing her lips. “I’m impressed. Though I’m having a hard time picturing Declan reading this.”
Cami stuck out her hand, and Dahlia handed her the book.
“You think that’s surprising? I didn’t even know he liked poetry until that night he was drunk and started quoting it at me,” Cara said, as Cami flipped open a page and began reading silently.
“Really?” Dahlia’s eyes were wide. “He quotes poetry?”
“It’s actually really romantic.” Olivia’s mind wandered to the night before Declan left on his latest trip.
“If case you ever foolishly forget: I am never not thinking of you,” he’d whispered against her heated flesh, as his lips trailed down her body.
“Oh my god!” Dahlia exclaimed. “You are bright red.” She bounced on her crossed legs. “Does he quote it in bed?”
“I told you he was the romantic in the family,” Cami crowed.
“I’m buying Luke a poetry book,” Dahlia sighed.
“Ew! Stop. My ears are bleeding.” Cara held her hands over her ears.
Sudden doubt flooded Olivia. It must have shown on her face because Cami gave her an understanding smile. “We won’t say anything.” She drew a circle in the air around the women. “We have to stick together, because these men are a lot.”
“You can save the talk about my brothers’ sex lives for when I’m not around.” Cara pretended to gag, and they all laughed.
It was well after midnight when Olivia waved goodbye to the women as they drove off. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so much.
Olivia hadn’t realized how much she’d missed having female friends until tonight. She had always told herself that work was enough, but she now realized that she needed to make time for other things in her life.
Her body overflowing with emotion, she sent a text, knowing that Declan was probably still in the air.
Olivia: Thank you.
Declan: For what?
Olivia: For knowing tonight would be hard and sending back up.
She paused, chewing her lip.
Olivia: And for loving me.