Page 55 of The Trolley Kiss
I relent with a sigh. “Fine. While I have you here, are you free Saturday?”
He perks right up at that. “For?”
He’s enjoying making me ask. I know he is. I place my hands on the counter behind me to ground myself. “Uhm… it’s my cousin’s wedding. I don’t have a plus one yet, and I really just don’t want to listen to my family ask me when it’s going to be my turn, especially not my mom. There’s an open bar. Free food. You don’t even have to buy a gift. I’ll mark mine from the both of us.”
He bites his bottom lip to hide his grin. “You don’t have to bribe me.”
“What?”
“Why are you acting like I don’t want to spend time with you?”
I open my mouth to respond, but then I close it again because I have no words. “I uh… I’m not… I don’t know how to respond to that.”
“Easy. Text me the time and dress code, and I’ll pick you up Saturday.” He leans forward and gives me a quick peck on the cheek before stepping back. “I gotta go. I’m going to be at the corporate building all day, but I just wanted to see you this morning before I headed over there.”
“Okay… Thanks?” I say as he walks out the door.
The breakroom door swings shut, and I’m left alone with my coffee. I inhale deeply before exhaling in relief. That was so… easy?
Because he’s not Chris.
I shake my head, closing my eyes to get a grip. It’s always easy in the beginning. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s not time to let down my guard. That time isn’t ever coming again. I promise.
???
“Don’t slouch. This dress isn’t the most flattering foryourshoulder type in the first place. No need to draw more attention there with a slouched back.”
“Thanks, mom,” I say sarcastically.
She gives me that shocked face she always does when I don’t bow down to her nitpicking like she’s somehow just now realizing she’s a dick. And, yes, I’ll coddle her because it’s easier than trying to fight her. It won’t make a difference either way. I’ve tried both ways many times. Now it’s best to take the path of least resistance.
She’s starting to get on my last nerve though. My cousin asked if I could come a little early to help my aunt set up some decorations in the reception area, so I had to spend the whole morning with her. Declan offered to come early with me, but I insisted he just meet me here before the wedding.
I hand my aunt the last ironed seat cover, and I decide I’m done helping for the day even if there’s more to do. I’m not even in the wedding. I’ve done my fair share. The only benefit of being here is it keeps my mind occupied.
It was a weird feeling waking up this morning. It was the first time in a long time that my first thought wasn’t about Chris. It’s become such a habit to check my phone first thing every morning to see if he reached out that I never even stopped to think about whether or not I wanted him to reach out. And I don’t think I do. I don’t know if I’ll ever fully get over him, and my heart still breaks at the thought of losing what I thought we had. But that’s all he is now. A memory. The past. Regret. Pain. Hurt.
But every day his hold on me lessens.
“Maybe if you pulled your hair back. How do you expect to meet a man if you’re hiding that sweet smile?” she asks as she meddles with my hair.
“Excuse me,” Declan touches my mother’s elbow to pass by. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I had no choice. I needed to talk to the most breathtaking woman I have ever laid eyes on.” He winks at me.
The look of pure shock on her face brings me such pleasure. I smile sweetly at Declan, wrapping my hands around his bicep. “We should probably go sit down,” I say to him, walking away from my mother without a goodbye.
“Probably.”
I don’t let go of Declan’s arm as we walk to our seat. I can’t hold back my grin. “Nice touch,” I whisper loud enough only for him to hear.
“I thought you’d appreciate that,” he says with a cocky grin as we sit down in one of the middle pews.
I squeeze his hand with a tight grip. “I did.”
He looks down at our joined hands before giving me a soft, reassuring smile. “Everything okay?” he asks, still seeming concerned.
He knows I don’t get along great with my mom because I tell Nicole pretty much everything, and he’s always sitting next to us and joining in on any gossip.
I give him a half smile. “Uhm… yeah. I’m good.”