Page 48 of The Sweet Talker
“I think so too,” Brody says and tugs me to him. My heart soars. I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.
She shakes her head and gives her son a playful scowl. “I can’t believe Declan kept this from us.”
“It all happened rather quickly,” I say quietly when I hear Patrick’s voice coming from the other room.
“Nevertheless, it happened and I couldn’t be happier for you two. Now come on into the living room. Have a drink and make yourselves at home.”
We follow Declan and Nikki into the living room and Declan introduces us to his family members from out of town. We greet them, and I take note of the way Declan’s cousin is staring at Brody like he’s a big fat snack. He might very well be, but he’s my fat snack, not hers. Eugenie, I think that was her name, turns to me, and if looks could kill, holy. What did I ever do to her?
Nikki calls me over to the bar, and I excuse myself from Brody. But he’s not alone for a second. Nope. Eugenie is right there, taking selfies with him.
“You two look happy,” Nikki says.
I can’t seem to stop smiling. “Yeah, we are. Wait, what’s wrong?” I ask when I take in the sadness in her eyes.
She frowns. “The guys are leaving the day after Christmas. It’s always hard when Declan leaves.”
“You’ll miss him?”
She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “He’s my best friend.”
“Is that all you are?”
“Yeah,” she says and I nod.
“I should probably tell you, Patrick has been asking about you.”
Her head rears back. “Really?”
“I think he likes you. He’s a nice guy, Nikki. I mean, if you and Declan aren’t an ‘item,’” I say, using Donna’s words. “Maybe you should give him a chance.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
Something she said niggles at me. “Wait, did you say they were leaving right after Christmas?” She nods and I frown. “Brody said something about staying until New Year’s Day.”
“Nope, as far as I know they’re leaving the day after Christmas. They have to get back to work.” She looks down when she adds, “Declan probably has to get back to one of his girls for when the ball drops.” Before I can say anything, she points to the wine bottles. “Red or white?”
“Red, please.”
She pours me a big glass and as Eugenie laughs, the sound like nails on a chalk board, I take a huge drink. Nikki laughs. “Good thing you’re here tonight.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Donna doesn’t let anyone come to the table without a date and if you don’t have one, she finds one for you. Could be a friend, a coworker, a family member.” She frowns and stares at her drink for a moment.
I touch her hand. “Hey, are you okay?”
She plasters on a smile. “I’m fine.” Her gaze moves over the crowd. “It’s just… Declan and I go way back, and he always asks me to Christmas Eve dinner so he’s not stuck sitting with someone of his mother’s choice.”
My gut tightens. “Maybe he likes spending time with you.”
She shrugs. “Yeah, I guess. Friends for life.” She tips her wine my way. “But you…you and Brody have a good thing going.” I turn and jealousy rips through me, and it takes all my strength not to cross the room and slide between him and Eugenie, making it clear he’s mine.
He’s mine.
As I stare at the gorgeous man who nearly put all the pieces of my shattered heart back together, something uneasy works its way through my blood. I turn back to Nikki. “Do you think Brody would have been paired with Eugenie if I hadn’t come?”
“Declan told me that was the plan.”