Chapter Twenty

Declan was counting the hours until he and Sophia were off work. He had plans to take her out again tonight, and he hoped it would remove the little chip that had lodged on her shoulder when he’d slipped out of her bed this morning without having sex. She’d actually pouted, and it was the cutest damn thing he’d ever seen. He’d wanted to crawl back in with her, but he had an endgame, and he wasn’t screwing it up. He had plans.

Tonight, he’d show her he could handle real.

The afternoon crowd was slow, and he was about to tell Cora to cover the floor and the bar so he could head to the office and talk to Sophia when a guy with a guitar case in hand walked through the door. The guy had dark hair, a little longer than Dec would feel comfortable with. He wore a leather jacket and ripped jeans and carried his confidence as easily as his guitar.

“Help you?” Declan asked, pushing the two beers he’d just poured for the newest waitress toward her tray.

The guy nodded. “I’m Damon Sutter. I have an appointment with Sophia Strombi, the manager here. Is she around?”

Declan smiled. When did she find time for this shit? He extended his hand. “Yeah. She’s here. I’ll grab her, but I’m Declan James. Owner.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Declan gestured to the bar stools. “Back in a sec. Have a seat.”

She was in the office arguing with one of his suppliers. He leaned against the doorjamb and smiled. Her back was to him, and she was looking out the little window behind his desk.

“Well, maybe if you lowered your cost, we’d stay with you. But Bilco Foods is willing to supply us for half that amount, and they’re local. No. No. I don’t need to have a sit-down meeting with you to tell you you’re ripping us off. That’s fine. Not good enough.”

His eyes wandered to her hips, and she placed her free hand on one, cocking it out a bit. Sexy and she didn’t even know it.

“Getting better. Now you’re talking. Fine. Send over the contract.”

She turned as she hung up, a huge smile on her gorgeous face, and then startled.

Pressing one hand to her chest, she laughed. “Hi. Didn’t hear you come in.”

“You were too busy putting someone in their place,” he commented.

“That is what you’re paying me for, isn’t it?”

He chuckled. “That and a whole lot more. You’ve got some guitar-wielding dude here to meet with you.”

Sophia’s eyes lit up. “Yay. I found him online. He’s amazing with a guitar and a mic. I was hoping to schedule him at least once a month. I think he’ll draw a slightly younger crowd.”

“When did you have time to find him?”

She smiled, then checked the buttons on the blouse she wore. It was buttoned up to her neck and had polka dots. He’d never thought of them as sexy, and somehow, on Sophia, it made him want to connect all the dots with his fingers. And his mouth.

Walking over to him, she stopped just shy of touching him. “I can’t reveal my secrets. Unless, of course, you can?”

His brows drew together, and he put a hand on her hip. He wondered if it was weird that he was looking forward to seeing how her body changed. It kind of fascinated him that she was carrying a baby inside of her. “What secrets?”

“Where are we going tonight?”

His grin was quick. “Nope. Not telling.”

“You’re no fun,” she said.

Leaning in, he nipped at her bottom lip. “You sure about that?”

He loved her sharp intake of breath and the way her body pressed closer to his. “I’m sure you could be. If you weren’t such a stickler for the three-date rule.”

Laughter rumbled up from his belly. Jesus, he liked her. “Go have your meeting, brat.”

She moved past him, but he caught her wrist and spun her back toward him so their bodies were plastered together. She looked up, eyes wide, her lips parting on a gasp.

“We’re at work,” she whispered, looking behind them. No one was there, and music pumped from the bar, so it wasn’t like they could be heard.

“I know that. If we weren’t, I’d press you up against the wall and remind you how much you want me.”

She looked over her shoulder again and then all but hissed at him. “As I remember, I’ve offered to let you show me twice now.”

Leaning in, he nuzzled the spot just under her ear and smiled when he felt her shiver. “Not yet. But I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”

When he pulled back, he was pleased to see her eyes were as lust filled as he felt. “You’re lucky I believe you can deliver on that promise, Declan James.”

Stroking a hand down her hair, he pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. “You’re worth the wait, Sophe,” he said quietly.

Her gaze softened, and Declan stepped back. “Better get out there and meet your musician.”

She nodded, but her eyes were a touch shiny, and her smile had gone shy. Just her expressions could undo him, so he hoped like hell he could pull it together before he took her out tonight. Holding her off when she was so clear about wanting him wasn’t easy. But as he’d said, she was worth the wait.

…

If he’d been nervous the other night, it paled in comparison to how he felt pulling into Adam’s driveway. He turned the car off, but before he could get out, she came around the side of the carriage house. He got out anyway and met her halfway.

Dressed in a puffy blue jacket, a colorful scarf, and boots that were somehow functional and sexy, she looked like a model for a winter catalog. How to be sexy in the snow. Jesus. He had it bad.

“Hey,” she said.

He took her hand and walked to the passenger side. “Hey yourself. I would have come up for you.” He opened the door and waited until she was seated before shutting it and rounding the hood.

When he got in and started the car, she was grinning. “My seat is warm,” she said.

“I turned on the seat warmer on the way here.”

“Hmm. I forgot my score card, but that would be worth extra.”

He laughed and backed out of the driveway. “Since the speed dating thing was your idea, you should know it’s not a score card.”

It surprised him how much he wanted to put his hand on her thigh or pull her hand to his just so he could touch her. Instead, he gripped the wheel and focused on the road.

“Okay, well, there’s a box that says you want to see them again and so far, so good. Where we are going?”

She smelled like vanilla and something uniquely Sophia. Dec could bury himself in the scent and still not get enough.

A swarm of birds—not delicate fucking butterflies—took off in his stomach. He hoped like hell he wasn’t crossing a line. “You’ll see. Tell me about the musician.”

Sophia angled her body toward him, the seat belt not slowing her animated gestures. “He’s got several songs that are popular on Spotify. He’s from Rockport but has friends in the area. I actually heard one of his songs just in a random mix and looked him up. I contacted him, asked if he was interested in a regular gig, and he agreed. The cost isn’t too bad, and I was thinking we could run a special on his nights to increase revenue.”

Dec smiled, gave her a quick glance, then looked back at the road. “You love this stuff.” If her family had ever witnessed her actually doing what she did so well, maybe they’d understand why being in the restaurant wasn’t enough.

“I do. I like organizing and making things happen and watching them come together. Our Facebook page has over two hundred likes so far, and I’m going to talk up the Match More Night. Taylor texted me and said she told a bunch of friends about it as well, and she put a link to the event on her social media page for the Inn. Colton’s poutine special is a huge hit, and once you get your beer on tap, I’d like to combine the two.”

Declan laughed. He’d had some serious doubts about trying Colton’s gravy and cheese curd-covered fries. His cook had claimed it was a Canadian favorite, and Dec had tried it more out of loyalty than desire. And it was freaking delicious. He loved the idea of pairing it with his beer. Hopefully, that dream wasn’t in the trash. Damnit, Marcus.

He shook his head, clearing the negative thoughts, and took a left on McGuire. He felt Sophia’s curious gaze as she tried to work out where they were going. Most of the trendy restaurants were in the other direction. At least the ones in Brockton. But he hadn’t taken the exit to head out of town, either, and he knew it was driving her nuts trying to figure it out.

“Girl like Taylor shouldn’t need to speed date,” he said.

“You can’t have that attitude,” she said. She reached out and put her hand on his arm, and despite having a jacket on, he felt warmer just knowing she was touching him. “People like Taylor are exactly the right market. Young, attractive, and don’t want to date just anyone. She’s got a friend group that is mostly couples and probably wants the same for herself. But on the other hand, she also works full-time and takes care of her mom. This is perfect.”

It didn’t sound bad, but it wouldn’t be his preference. He didn’t need four minutes at a table to know if he wanted to know a woman better. Hell, he’d only seen the back of Sophia and wanted to know more the second he’d laid eyes on her.

“You could be right. I’m definitely curious to see how the event goes. Speaking of, Marcus texted and said he wasn’t ready to roll out the beer at Pop’s yet.”

Sophia sighed, loudly. “I’m sorry.”

He reached for her hand without taking it. “I want to do it at On Dec anyway. I really think your family is going to come around. I’m not waiting on this just because Marcus has his panties in a knot.”

When she laughed, it was missing the lightness he wanted her to feel. He kept his hand on hers even when he turned into the massive superstore parking lot.

“We’re going shopping?”

Declan said nothing as he found a spot but knew when she realized what was up, when she saw the children’s store.

“What are we doing?” Her words came out in a whisper, making his heart do a two-step.

Hopefully he wasn’t completely off the mark with this idea. Declan turned off the truck and undid his seat belt, turning to her. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, letting his thumb linger on her cheek.

“I thought it would be fun for you to register here. Your family is going to come around. Adam and Meg know about the baby, which means Stella, Zach, and Taylor will, too. One of them, if not your sisters, will end up throwing you a baby shower.”

His heart went into bypass just waiting to see her response. His breath wouldn’t leave his lungs.

Sophia looked out the window then back at him. “You brought me to a baby store for a date?”

Swallowing the thickness in his throat, willing himself to breathe, he muttered, “Yeah.”

Tears welled in those gorgeous eyes, but they didn’t slip over. At least, he didn’t see them slip because she launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck. “I didn’t even think of this. I can’t believe you did.”

He wrapped himself around her and tugged her closer, careful of the console between them, his breath coming freely now. “You’re not mad.”

“I have no idea. I’m freaking out a little because I forgot about this part. I’ve been so worried about just getting through that I haven’t even thought about buying actual baby stuff.”

She pulled back, and, thankfully, she didn’t look mad. She looked a little like he felt—overwhelmed. Bringing her hands to his cheeks like he had done to her, she shook her head, eyes wide.

“You are a weird man, Declan. I can’t believe you want to do this.”

He chuckled, pretty sure she hadn’t given him a compliment. Leaning closer, pressing his forehead to hers, he stroked his hands over her back. “I’ve never been in a situation like this, so cut me some slack. I just want to be with you, Sophe. I want to show you I can handle real.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I figure this is about as real as it gets. I’ve never been in one of these stores.”

She laughed. “I get to be your first.”

His heart jumped back in the game, nearly pounding out of his chest. He had to bite his lip so he didn’t tell her he wouldn’t mind if she was his last.

“Promise you’ll be gentle?” He kissed her nose.

“We’ll go slow. And stick together.”

She hesitated, and he didn’t rush her by asking why. Instead, he just let the air and their heartbeats settle.

“I should have a list of things I need. But what’s the point of a list when I need everything.”

“There’s time.”

She nodded and looked out the window at the store. When she glanced back at him, her expression was hard to read. “I thought this moment in my life would come differently, you know? Being pregnant. Having a baby. Nothing is turning out like I thought it would.”

Declan loosened his jaw. “Things rarely do. But maybe that’s okay.”

She bit her lip, blinked several times in a row, and then gave him a watery smile. “Maybe it is.”

They got out of the truck and met around the hood. His nerves settled. Mostly. He still wasn’t too sure about strolling around a baby store. As they entered, he waited for his fight-or-flight instincts to kick in, but they didn’t.

“Oh my God, Dec,” Sophia said, coming to a stop in the front of the store.

When he looked down, he realized he’d been so worried about his own feelings, he hadn’t even thought of hers. And she looked ready to flee. For some reason, that calmed him. It made him realize that it was okay to be scared. It wasn’t a sign that he’d disappoint her. Even if he’d been prepared for this moment his whole life, he would have felt nerves. When Charlie was born, Adam had been a wreck. Declan never knew people actually read manuals front to back, twice, but that’s what his friend did with the car seat instructions.

He turned to face her, nudged her over a bit so they weren’t blocking anyone. “What’s the matter, babe?”

Her worried eyes met his. “I’m going to be someone’s mom. It’s not like I didn’t know that, but what if I’m a horrible mother? My own mom won’t even talk to me.”

Declan’s heart squeezed painfully. He pulled her close, looped his arms around her waist. “She will. Don’t worry about that right now. You’re going to be an amazing mom, Sophe.”

She looked at him like he’d said he’d do the labor for her. “I’m flighty.”

He laughed. “You’re brave.”

“I’m unreliable.”

“Like hell you are. You show up every day at the pub ready to give your all. If your family needed you, you’d be there in a heartbeat.”

“I live over a garage.”

He waggled his eyebrows, hoping to make her laugh. “You’re welcome to move back in with me.” He honestly wouldn’t mind one damn bit.

“Declan. I know how to be an auntie, but that’s a whole different ball game. This baby is going to count on me for everything. I haven’t even finished that What to Expect book!”

Pulling her closer, he leaned down so he met her gaze more evenly. He wasn’t feigning calm. He felt it down to his bones. They could do this together. He wanted to do this with her. “You’re a smart, incredible, talented woman. You’re going to be amazing at this, Sophia. You’re kind and compassionate. Sexy as fuck, not that that helps you out in the mom department, but it makes me happy.”

Finally, laughter bubbled out of her. “You’re ridiculous.”

Declan shrugged. “You’re hot. I can’t help it.”

“You really want to do this?”

He straightened and looked around at the bright colors, loud displays, and overflowing aisles, then back at her. “I do. With you.”

…

All he could think as they put tiny clothes, diapers, decorated cloths, and soothers in the cart was how the hell can there be so many choices? How was anyone supposed to know which one was best? Sophia was rubbing her hand over a blanket—that was another thing—how many blankets did one tiny person need?

She nibbled on her lip, and his stomach tightened with desire.

“You look awfully serious for someone holding a cuddly blanket,” he said, picking up a plush rabbit. When it came time to buy the kid Lego, that’s where Dec would shine.

“I’m not sure if I want to go with yellow. It’s neutral, supposedly, but it’s not my favorite.”

He tossed the rabbit down, staring at her. There had to be more. She couldn’t look that conflicted over colors. Could she?

Her hand moved back and forth, fingering the thick ribbon wrapped around it. “When my siblings had their kids, they talked about nurseries and color schemes. They were all so ready. I haven’t even found a doctor yet, Dec.”

Catching the hint of tears, he stepped closer and took the blanket from her. “You just got home, and you’ve been busy. You take good care of yourself, and you feel well. I’m sure it’s fine if you haven’t seen an OB in a bit. But if you’re worried about it, I can ask around. We’ll find you a doctor. Knowing what color you want for a room doesn’t make anyone a better parent.”

She sniffled and lowered her head, and when she looked back up, the tears brimming, he swore.

Her tears spilled over. “I don’t have a doctor, I can’t make a decision on something as easy as a blanket, and in the back of my mind, I keep thinking about things I want or need to do for the pub. Why can’t I fall all the way into this? Maybe my parents are right. Maybe I’m too self-absorbed.”

Taking Sophia’s hand, he led her over to a couple of oversized chairs set up in a bedroom display. He sat down on the matching footstool of one and nudged her into the chair in front of him.

“You’re not selfish, Sophia. You’re carrying all this guilt, and it isn’t fair. You’ve fought back from one blow after another, and not only are you still standing, but you’re doing a kick-ass job. While pregnant, emotional, settling into a new home, dealing with your family, and falling for an extremely charming, good-looking guy.”

The watery laugh she let loose made his heart smile. She was turning him into such a sap.

“Sounds like I’m pretty good at multitasking.”

He squeezed her thighs, leaning toward her. “You’re good at a lot of things. Reading people, your work, turning me on, making me laugh, making people feel at ease and validated. Sophia, you’re one of the best people I know. I hate that this rift with your parents is causing you so much pain, but you haven’t even had your baby yet… Do you love him or her?”

She sucked in a sharp breath and covered her belly with her hands. “I do,” she whispered.

Declan smiled and ran his hands up and down her arms. “If you do already, imagine how you’ll feel almost thirty years from now. Your parents love you. So do your siblings. You’ll get through this. You’re home now, and they’re going to want to know this baby. They want you in their lives, or it wouldn’t bother them so much that they can’t have some of the say. Be patient. Focus on what you can do and what you’re doing really well. The rest will come.”

Sophia scooted forward between Dec’s knees. “You’re awfully wise for someone who has no siblings, no children, and before this, no serious relationships.”

She didn’t say it like a judgment, but he wondered if those things somehow counted against him. “Maybe I don’t have those things, but Marcus and Adam are like brothers. I hate that things are strained with me and Marc, but I believe we’ll get past it. That’s what you do. And I don’t have kids, but I couldn’t love Charlie more if I tried. And maybe I don’t have any romantic relationships under my belt, but I’ve got the same friends I did in high school. Lisa aside, I’ve created a family atmosphere at my place of business, and I know plenty about loyalty and perseverance.”

“I didn’t mean it as an insult. Just that you seem to have all the answers.”

Pulling her onto his lap, he settled his hand over her stomach. “Maybe it seems that way, but I’m just doing what I’ve always done. I’m going with instincts. With what feels right. You? You feel perfect. We feel right. Things will fall into place, the baby will be loved and cared for, and it won’t make one damn bit of difference what color blanket we buy.”

She stared at him so long he started to feel antsy. But he held her gaze as he held her. He had all the time in the world if that’s what she needed.

After what felt like too long, she rested her head on his shoulder. “That part about falling for the guy?”

He stroked her back.

“It’s impossible not to.”

He smiled against her hair. “Then why fight it?”

“Uh, can I help you at all?” Someone asked from behind them.

Sophia sat up and looked at the store clerk. “No thank you. We have everything we need.”

Yeah. They really did.

Declan grabbed the cart while Sophia walked back over to the rainbow wall of blankets. Without hesitating, she grabbed a soft gray fleece. On her way back to him, she grabbed the rabbit he’d picked up earlier.

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded and looped her arm through his as they made their way to the checkout.