“Because articles like ours already have a million reads and counting. The advertisement money alone must keep them afloat.”
His eyes widen. “A million? It was published an hour ago.”
I grin as I drop into the chair across from him. “I told you it would work.”
“I never doubted you to begin with.” He speaks with such sincerity, my chest twinges with a silent reply.
I deflect with humor. “Liar. You totally did.”
“It’s human nature.”
“No, it’syournature.”
“It’s gotten me this far.”
“No. That’s all thanks to your last name being on the building,” I tease.
“Ourname.”
I roll my eyes. “For now.”
“Quick to get rid of me already,wife?”
Somehow, one word seems to cause a rush of warmth from my head to my toes.
Danger. Red alert. DEFCON five activated.
So I do what I always do when Declan stirs up feelings inside of my chest that have no business being there.
I escape.
* * *
Turns out I can only avoid Declan for so long when we live in the same house. It doesn’t take him long to find me, struggling to drain a pot of boiling water with only one hand.
“Are you trying to end up in the emergency room again?”
I’m not given a chance to explain as he swoops in and grabs the pot from me.
He glares. “If you wanted my attention, this isn’t the way to get it.”
My mouth drops open. “I amnottrying to get your attention.” On the contrary, I was trying to avoid it at all costs—third-degree burns be damned.
“Then what are you doing?” He drains the pasta without me having to ask.
“Cooking.” I grind my teeth together to prevent myself from saying more.
Why is it when I’m the one who doesn’t want to talk, he can’t seem to help himself? The injustice of this all is not lost on me.
He places the empty pot back on the stove. “I can assure you boiling pasta isn’t cooking.”
“Can you go away please? I’m trying to eat in peace.” Dealing with him at work is one thing, but having him in my space, acting holier than thou, is not how I want to spend my night.
You’re just mad because you like having him around.
He lingers like a shadow as I scoop a large helping of noodles onto my plate.
“You should have asked for my help.”