Not Pretending Anymore(19)

I sighed. “He invited me to come over for dinner.”

“That’s good. When?”

“Tuesday.”

Declan scratched his chin. “I have a meeting, but I can probably reschedule it.”

“No, you don’t have to do that. I can go on my own.”

He took out his cell and started to type. When he was done, he tossed it on the table. “Done. I emailed the guy and asked him if we can do it Friday instead. I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

I shoveled more gnocchi into my mouth. “You’re really a good friend, Declan.” Even though we’d only known each other a couple of weeks, I somehow knew I could count on him.

A few minutes later, I had nearly emptied the container. I scooped up a few more gnocchi and lifted the fork halfway to my lips. “I want to eat the rest of this, but I’m stuffed.”

“You sure you’re full?” Declan asked.

“Positive.”

“Good.” He leaned across the table and closed his lips around the fork. “Because I lied. I haven’t eaten anything yet. I worked really late, and those damn dumplings take a while to make. I rushed out because I didn’t want to miss your break.” He chewed and kept his face in front of me, leaning over the table. “So feed me the last of that, will ya?”

I laughed, but shoved two more heaping bites of gnocchi into his mouth. We were both so busy with the food and enjoying each other’s company that neither of us heard someone walk into the break room.

Not until a man’s deep voice interrupted. “Hey, Molly…”

I turned to find Will Daniels holding a coffee mug. His eyes moved back and forth between Declan and me.

I cleared my throat. “Hi, Will.”

Declan’s eyes went wide as he realized what was happening, a smug look of “mission accomplished” written all over his face.

Will extended his hand to Declan. “Will Daniels.”

“Declan Tate. Nice to meet you.”

“You’re a friend of Molly’s?”

“We’re dating, actually,” Declan answered without missing a beat.

Will looked over at me, understandably confused. We’d just had coffee last week, and I’d mentioned my roommate, but not that I was dating anyone. I hadn’t mentioned Declan’s name, so he had no way of figuring out that my new “love interest” was the same guy I’d spoken about.

Not knowing what to say, I stammered, “Uh, it’s...new.”

Will forced a smile. “I guess a lot can change in a week.”

“Yeah.”

He turned to Declan. “Whatever you guys nuked in the microwave smells amazing.”

Declan grinned. “Thank you. Gnocchi. I made it.”

“Ah. A chef.” Will walked over to the coffee pot and filled his mug for what felt like ten awkward seconds. He put the top on and said, “Well, I’ll let you two get back to your dinner.”

Then he was gone.

After Will was safely out of earshot, Declan spoke low. “Okay...you want my assessment on Dickalicious?”

“Yeah.”

He continued to whisper. “Doc was definitely jealous. That whole thing was awkward. It was great. He was clearly disappointed and surprised to find you with me.”

Hope filled me. “You think?”

“I don’t think , I know . So this was good. Definitely not a wasted trip.”

“What now?” I asked. “I mean, could this backfire? Now that he thinks I’m taken?”

“I didn’t say we were dating exclusively, just that we were dating. Trust me, next time he gets you alone, he’s going to ask about me. That will be your opportunity to let him know we’re not that serious. I’ll just be present enough to make him realize he needs to hurry, or he’ll lose the opportunity.”

Blowing a breath up into my hair, I said, “Well, this is far simpler than exposing my nipples. And I don’t even have to be disgusted with myself.”

“It’ll be fun, Mollz.” Declan replaced the lid on the gnocchi container. “Speaking of the fun we’re having, I was hoping maybe you wouldn’t mind being home next Wednesday night? That’s a night off for you, right? I was thinking of asking Julia to come over to brainstorm on the campaign at our place. Might be a good opportunity for you and me to…flirt.”

I couldn’t exactly say no; he’d helped me out a lot tonight.

“Oh...yeah. Of course. I can do that. It’s only fair. You just did me a huge favor.”

He smiled wide. “Cool.”

He did look especially handsome in the suit tonight.

Declan stayed until my break was over, and then I went back to work.

Later that night, sure enough, Will caught me at the nurses’ station.

He shuffled through some folders and said, “Declan, was it? He seemed nice.”

My heart pounded. “Yeah. He is. Like I said…it’s new. Nothing serious or anything.”

“He seems pretty serious, though, if he’s bringing you food at midnight...”

“I thought that was nice of him, yes. But it’s not exclusive.”

He put a folder back in its rightful spot, then turned to me and said, “Good to know.” He winked before heading back down the hall.