Page 24 of See You Maybe

“Yeah, lad, but…”

“It’s handled.” Declan’s voice was hard, and a shiver ran down Olivia’s spine.

Colum raised both hands in surrender. “It’s your brother. A runner picked up your message for Uncle Iain… He’s looking for you too.”

Declan didn’t acknowledge the words, tugging her through the front door.

“If there is something you need to deal with…” Olivia trailed off.

Declan came to a stop and turned her to face him. “There is nothing I would rather do right now than introduce you to the best fry-up in Dublin.”

She studied his face intently, noticing how his broad chest rose and fell rapidly, as if he were trying to suppress some deep emotion. Olivia couldn’t explain it, but she sensed that Declan was just as eager to explore what was happening between them. The real world could wait a little longer.

“Is it far? Because I’m starving.”

Gratitude flashed across his face. “Not too far.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Dublin—12 years ago

Olivia eyed the plate in front of her dubiously. The heaping plate of bacon—rashers, Declan had been quick to correct her—eggs, sausages and potatoes didn’t seem appetizing. She poked at a round, dark-colored blob before glancing to Declan, already devouring his plate. “Do I even want to know?”

“The name?” His eyes gleamed. “Probably not. Eat it anyway. It’ll put hair on your chest.”

“Yeah, that’s just what I’m after.”

Declan laughed and pushed her plate closer with his fork. “Eat. You’ll love it. I promise. And if you don’t, I’ll find you a bagel.”

Olivia resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. A few bites later, she conceded he was correct. She didn’t know what magical ingredient was in this meal, but she was hooked.

Olivia hadn’t missed the fact that the café they had stopped at, after a not short walk, had stopped serving breakfast hours ago. But, after a few quiet words to an older woman behind the counter and a kiss on each cheek, the gray-haired woman disappeared into the kitchen, following a lighthearted cuff to the back of his head and a “cheeky bastard.”

Declan selected a booth toward the back. When Olivia slipped into the seat facing the door, he’d intercepted her with a vague excuse. But she didn’t miss his quick survey of the restaurant, or the fact that every time the bell over the door chimed, he looked up to see who entered.

It should have been alarming, his vigilance to their surroundings. It wasn’t. There was no concern from Declan, only a simple self-assurance that made her feel comfortable and safe in a way she never had. Particularly not with a stranger.

“Why are you being so nice to me, Declan Riordan?”

His expression arrested, and she could see her own confusion at their situation cloud his eyes.

“Honestly? I don’t know.”

Declan shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with his own admission, and she decided to take pity on him.

“Whatever the reason, I appreciate it.”

Their gazes caught and held, something passing between them. A shiver ran down Olivia’s spine. It felt like every cell in her body was focused on this moment. On the man sitting across from her. Declan’s nostrils flared on an inhale, his pupils dilated, and she knew she wasn’t the only one who felt it.

Her voice was slightly breathless when she blurted out, “What’s the last book you read?”

She mentally kicked herself when he blinked at her. The strange intensity of the moment gone.

“The Importance of Being Earnest. Though technically it’s a play.”

“Oscar Wilde?”

“Yes.”