12. Liz
LIZ
The next day, I woke up and kept my phone with me at all times, thinking Declan might be in touch. But the only messages I got were from Rose. Hmm… did my grumpy landlord already forget about the delicious promise he made last night? Or did I imagine it? I had been a bit sleepy, truth be told.
When I went home before my shift at the bar started, I was secretly hoping he’d be there too, but he wasn’t.
Maybe he had a lot on his mind today. My stomach bottomed out at the thought that I wasn’t going to see him after all.
Damn, he was already a huge influence on my mood. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
By the time I arrived at the bar, I’d made my peace with the fact that I wasn’t going to see Declan.
Out of all my jobs, I probably liked bartending the most. Mixing cocktails was easy, and I liked chatting with strangers.
I was a very outgoing person, and my work at Richard’s Catering didn’t involve much interaction with either the other employees or customers.
It was true what they said, bartenders were sort of like therapists.
People tended to share personal stuff for no reason.
“And anyway, that's my story,” Bob said. I’d met him twenty minutes ago, and I already knew that his girlfriend left him just as he was about to propose.
“It's better you found out now rather than after proposing,” I said.
"Still sucks," he said.
"I agree.”
“More tequila, please.”
"And you promise you’re not driving?"
"Pinky promise."
That made me laugh. "All right."
This evening was much busier than yesterday. My boss was here too, serving the customers at the other end of the bar. She said she’d lock up tonight but asked me to stay until all the customers left. My feet were hurting a bit, but I’d be home soon and would soak them in soothing warm water.
We were out of ice, so I went in the back to bring some to the bar. My phone beeped with an incoming message as I grabbed a bag of ice from the freezer.
It was a text from Declan. And just like that, a zing of energy coursed through me. I wasn't even feeling the ache in my feet anymore.
Declan: Are you finishing your shift early today too?
I replied immediately.
Liz: Nope. Midnight.
Declan: Okay.
He thinks I’ll be satisfied with a simple "Okay”?
Liz: Why?
Declan: It's a surprise.
I waited, but the bubbles showing he was writing didn't appear anymore.
Liz: You're not going to tell me anything, huh?
Declan: Nope
This man!
I knew I wasn't going to get anything out of him, so I put the phone in my pocket again and went back up front with the ice.
My mind was on Declan for the rest of my shift. I was giddy at the thought that he was going to be at home. Not my home , I corrected myself. I had my place, and he had his. Still, that didn't mean I couldn't be giddy.
Once my shift ended, my boss, Dora, closed up. I went outside with Bob and ordered him an Uber from his phone, then waited with him, watching him get in the car.
"You walk all your customers to their car?" Declan asked, making me jump.
I turned around, spotting him right next to the entrance. How had I missed him?
"Oh my God, you're here.”
“In the flesh."
I blinked, feeling flushed as he came up to me. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?"
"Because I wanted to surprise you."
"Oh, wow." I put my hand on my chest. It was rising and falling rapidly. “I didn’t see you. I was too focused on Bob. He was super drunk. I wasn't sure he would be able to make it to the Uber on his own, so I came with him."
"That was very thoughtful of you," Declan said, coming even closer. He had a dangerous sort of stride, like he was a creature of the night on the prowl and I was his prey.
"On a scale of one to ten, how tired are you?" he asked, looking at me intently.
"Hmm, not at all. Why?"
He smirked. "You have to be at least a bit tired."
"No, I have adrenaline after I work the late shift, remember? That's why I terrorize you with my music."
"Right.” He winked, then stated, “Then we're going out."
"We are?" How exciting was this? I’d been in Chicago a bit but really hadn’t gotten out and about, especially in the evening.
"Yes."
He gently touched the back of his fingers to my cheek. "I told you I'm good at finding solutions. You said you have shifts every evening, so here I am, taking you out after a shift."
My stomach cartwheeled. "Declan…." I couldn't believe he was doing this.
I remembered him saying how he needed his peace and quiet at night, but he was doing this for me.
My entire body was buzzing, because he was close and touching me and looking at me with those impossibly sinful eyes.
His lips were so near, and yet he wasn't kissing me.
"Where are we going?" I muttered.
"To a festival."
"At this time of night?"
"Yes,” he said with a chuckle. “Chicago is very much alive, and we’re going out on the town."
We ended up at an art festival close to the water.
“How is this still open at this time?” I asked. “I thought most festivals closed this late in the evening.”
“They do, but this one is so popular that they extended it until two o’clock in the morning twice a week.”
“This is so great. Kind of reminds me of my hometown. We have festivals for everything.”
He winked at me, putting a hand on the small of my back. “Thought you’d like it.”
Besides art, there were booths with cheese, wine, and finger foods everywhere, as well as the odd stand selling jewelry. There weren’t a lot of visitors—I guessed closing time was soon—but I liked it. It was intimate.
“Chicago has lots of these events,” he said.
“You go often?”
He leaned closer. “Confession: it’s my first time.”
I gasped. “Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hmm… now that I think about it, they’re really not your style. They’re too much fun.”
A smile tugged at his lips, and he moved the hand at my lower back in small circles. My breath caught.
“I can be fun.”
My skin sizzled where he touched me. I straightened up, clearing my throat.
“Want to grab a snack?” I asked. “Look, they’re serving cheesecake there.”
He flashed one of his trademark panty-melting smiles. “I’m good. But let’s get one for you. Go wild, Liz.”
I licked my lips, and he zeroed in on my mouth. My skin felt like it was on fire. He nudged me forward, and we walked side by side. He moved his hand up, resting his arm across my shoulders.
“How was the trip with your brother?” I asked after I ordered the cheesecake. It was the very last piece.
“Good. The contract they’re offering him is solid. No traps.”
He said that with all the confidence in the world. He was even sexier when he slipped into lawyer mode.
I received the cheesecake on a paper plate, and we started walking toward a narrow alley that led away from the stands. His arm was firmly around my shoulders again.
“I can’t believe I got the last slice,” I said. “It’s the lucky one.”
He laughed. “What?”
“Mom always says the last piece has all the luck.”
I ate it quickly because I was pretty hungry, but I stopped abruptly when I had one bite left, glancing at Declan. I hadn’t even offered him a taste.
“If you want, I’ll let you have the last bite. Even though you might get all the luck.”
“That’s a big offer right there.”
“It’s going to expire soon. Thirty seconds.”
He burst out laughing. “Having second thoughts?”
“Twenty seconds.”
“I don’t want it, Liz. Come on, eat it. I know you want to.”
“One second. Aaaand it’s mine.”
I gulped it down and tossed the empty paper plate and fork in the nearest trash can.
Declan stood by, watching me closely; I felt his presence even when I wasn’t facing him.
“Hey, what’s that?” I asked, pointing to what looked like a small garden.
“No clue. Let’s take a look.”
Taking my hand, he led me over.
"It looks like a fairy tale," I said.
There were twinkle lights up in the trees and several benches below, all empty. We sat down on one, soaking in the misty night air and the beauty of this place.
"This night was amazing. Thank you," I said.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
“And you weren’t overselling it. You are very good at finding solutions.”
He leaned in, twirling a strand of my blonde hair between his fingers. I’d worn it in a ponytail during work, and after I took out the elastic, it was a bit messy. “I never promise anything I can’t deliver, Liz.”
I wondered if there was anything at all he couldn’t do. Somehow, I didn’t believe there was.
I narrowed my eyes, looking at him intently. "Is this a date, or are you whisking me away as a good neighborly duty? It’s important that I know.”
A twinkle of amusement appeared in his eyes. “Why?” he asked.
“It’s going to decide how hot the kiss is.”
“This is anything you want it to be, Liz. Anything you’re comfortable with. But it’s important for you to know that you’re more than a neighbor to me."
Did he really say that? My heart pounded against my rib cage.
I hadn’t felt so alive in months. I leaned in, brushing my lips against his.
The next second, I felt his hand on the back of my head.
His fingers brushed the nape of my neck.
Oh, sweet heavens. I thought I was going to kiss him , but he was taking over, and I so loved it.
His mouth was on mine the next second. He kissed me hard and relentlessly, like he was starved for me, like I was everything he needed.
I was addicted to his lips and the way he made me feel, aware of my body in a way I'd never been before. I felt so alive when I was with him, so carefree and happy, and right now, I was on fire.