Page 39 of See You Maybe
“I know what you’re doing?” Courtney hissed before storming away.
“My god. She’s so embarrassing. No one is going to want her on their fundraising committees. Poor Chris.”
The entire table stiffened at Fiona’s comment.
Cara practically hummed with anger, and Declan watched as Wes massaged his wife's nape, gently stroking until her shoulders relaxed. Cara directed a glare Declan’s way, her lips pressed into a tight line.
Declan knew that his mother had let it slip a few weeks ago that he intended to marry Fiona, and that his family was unhappy about it. But it wasn’t his sister’s disappointment that was the focus of his thoughts. It was the errant and unwelcome thought that he wished he had what Cara had. What each of his siblings had found with their partners. Someone who loved him, knew what he was thinking without being told, and sought to relieve the stress. He’d had that once.
His gaze found Olivia again. Her mouth was moving, and Pruitt laughed. What were they talking about? Declan tossed his napkin on his plate.
Cara gave him a funny look and then turned her head to look over her shoulder at Olivia. Fuck. He was being too obvious. Cara’s eyebrows scrunched together.
“What do you have planned for the holidays, Lia?” Fiona asked across the table. “You must be invited to so many Hollywood parties!”
“Please call me Dahlia, Lia is my stage name. We're on hiatus right now,” Dahlia said coolly. “Cameras go up in Vancouver after the new year.”
Luke threaded his fingers through hers on the table. “We plan on staying home and relaxing. We’re just happy to be in the same city for a while.”
Fiona blinked. “You are staying in Atlanta too? Well, if everyone is going to be there, maybe I should come down and join you for the holidays. We can all be together,” she said, smiling at Declan and laying her hand on his forearm again.
He barely registered her possessive move. His muscles felt like they were locked in cement, and his skin was stretched too tight, consumed by the woman nearby. No matter how he tried, his brain continued to torture him, pulling him into the past.
“You didn’t want to be home for your birthday? You should have told me, Petal. I would have gotten you a cake.”
Blue eyes blinked at him, half-asleep, before she rolled to her side, pulling his arm around her. He knew she was more asleep than awake. “Home is where you are.”
His lips brushed her hair, his heart shattering. “Not your family? People you love.”
“I love you.”
Two days left.
“Please, don’t leave me,” he whispered into her hair, knowing he would never be brave enough to ask when she was awake.
Declan shook his head.
Get a fucking hold of yourself.
He could see James watching him with a confused expression. Heart hammering, Declan forced himself back to the present.
“If Declan is going to insist on spending the holidays there, I guess I should sacrifice and go too.”
Declan swallowed a groan. He couldn’t tell if Fiona was intentionally trying to insult his family or if she simply didn’t care.
“I love Atlanta,” Cara bit out. She had the most history with Fiona, and while Dahlia and Cami sat ready with silent support, they knew Cara could handle the socialite.
Fiona gave her a condescending look. “I’m sure it’s lovely, but it’s not the same as New York.” She paused dramatically, her eyes skimming over Cara with a plastic smile. “I’m sure it’s perfect for your new life, Cara.” Fiona's fingers dug into his arm. “Declan lives in New York. This is his home.”
Luke cocked his head. “Is that true Declan? Do you consider New York your home? Not Dublin or Connecticut?”
“I’d have thought Rhode Island…” James sounded like he was chewing glass.
He gave his brothers a quelling look.
“His business is in New York.” Fiona waved her hand dismissively. Declan grit his teeth. Much as he wanted to tell Fiona exactly what he thought of her speaking for him, Declan couldn't afford to alienate her. Or more accurately, her father sitting nearby.
“New York is a great city,” he said, plucking her hand off his arm and placing it on the table. “But I can conduct my business from anywhere.” He leveled a stare at her that she couldn’t misunderstand. “Home is where my family is.”